December 2020 selection for Stephen Curry’s Underrated Book Club
2019 Best of lists: NY Times Holiday Books, ESPN, MPR (Minnesota Public Radio), Refinery 29, Outside Magazine, Lithub, Writer’s Bone
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“This is a story of women from completely different backgrounds who united in a brief, brilliant moment. It’s motivating. Historic.” — Stephen Curry
“Berkman weaves the players’ back stories into a larger examination of culture and identity, and of women who yearned for respect as elite athletes when their sports system made it challenging for women to succeed. …By the end of the book, it’s hard not to root for the Unified Team. It didn’t win any games at the Olympics, but it did manage to score two goals, providing sweet moments in what is a feel-good story.” —New York Times Book Review (2019 Holiday Gift Guide selection)
“From struggling against stereotypes of femininity to fighting for recognition, respect, and decent equipment, A Team of Their Own elucidates the issues female athletes around the world still face, and the love of sport that compels them to play.” —ESPN’s The Undefeated “25 Can’t Miss Books of 2019”
“Seth Berkman expertly weaves these details and histories of the players into a captivating tale that documents disparate player histories, backgrounds and races that culminated in the historic melding of players from North and South Korea into a unified team that captured global attention as dignitaries from the north and south attended the games. …a classic underdog tale, and Berkman’s exhaustive narrative is the definitive account of that achievement.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Berkman, a Korean adoptee himself, tells the very human story of young athletes who have already made huge commitments to their sports being plunged into a crazy mix of politics, sexism, and overwhelming odds, but still coming through with remarkable strength and grace.” —MPR’s “Favorite Books of 2019”
“Berkman has the seasoned sportswriter's keen observational skills and gripping storytelling ability, combined with elegant, witty prose and a lot of heart.” —Euny Hong, author of The Birth of Korean Cool
“Berkman…does a fantastic job of providing historical context and capturing the tremendous sacrifices made by the players as well as the passion they shared for the sport. Readers will find themselves cheering for a team who began as political pawns but who ultimately showed the world the Olympic spirit in action. …A must-have for its slice of its Olympic history and its portrait of Korean culture.” —Booklist (starred review)
“In this entertaining history, New York Times journalist Berkman follows the South Korean women’s national hockey team for the year leading up to the 2018 Olympics. …The author shines at describing the roller-coaster ride through the Olympics. …Berkman unveils a great story of women’s hockey that’s sure to thrill those rooting for the underdog.” —Publishers Weekly
“He shares each woman’s hopes, dreams, and determination to play despite the odds and sacrifices each needed to make. …Ultimately, what shines through is the women’s passion for their sport and the bonds they forged on and off the ice, alliances that cross an array of boundaries. …A well-written, impassioned story of sports, friendship, and determination.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Seth Berkman offers revealing and fascinating behind-the-scenes tales about sacrifices these players made to help the joint team on and off the ice, and about their personal journeys that led to their moment in Olympic history. …This isn't simply a sports book. Rather, it's a book about inspiring and courageous women who just happened to be hockey players.”—Yonhap
“I should not undersell the feel-goodness of Team, since the story of Korean women’s ice hockey team is as good as any sports story.” —Ask A Korean!
“This is a gripping and emotional read. …Seth Berkman introduces you to the young women in his story with empathy and care. It’s a classic tale of underdogs giving their all for the sport that they love…I’m ready to see the major motion picture. (Can someone get on that?)” —Hannah Jewell, author of She Caused a Riot
“Yes, the sport is often compared broadly to war. But what, specifically, does it have to do with geopolitics, grandstanding politicians, nuclear weapons, Kim Jong-un and three-quarters of a century of national division? To find out, read this impressively detailed account of the unified Korean women’s ice hockey team and its starring role at the 2018 Winter Olympics.” —Bradley K. Martin, prizewinning author of Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty
“Seth Berkman’s A Team of Their Own is a lively, crisply written rollercoaster of a book that tells the story of the women of South Korea’s hockey team in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.” —Michael Breen, author of The New Koreans
"This was a fascinating read about passion, dedication, and sacrifice. The hard work of the women of the South Korean women's national hockey team highlighted the lengths people are willing to go to pursue a dream. …Berkman helps the reader get to know each unique player showing how these very different women came together for a common goal, truly defining what makes a team. …I finished the book with a new understanding of life in South Korea and feeling inspired and moved by the powers of openness, dedication, and goodwill." —Becca Anderson, author of The Book of Awesome Women
"A poignant story of identity and belonging that resonates far beyond the world of elite women's hockey." —Alice Stephens, author of Famous Adopted People
“This poignant story showcases the bonds of friendship over Olympic glory and will appeal to fans of women’s sports and anyone who has experienced the special kinship that comes from being part of a team.” —Library Journal
“An inspirational Olympic story rarely disappoints, and this is no exception.” —Columbia Alumni Magazine
“Berkman’s exhaustive reportage goes so much more in-depth than any “30 for 30” doc could ever dream of taking you. …‘A tale of unlikely friendships’ doesn’t do a lick of justice to describe what these women experienced together as Berkman invites the reader to share in the team’s highs and lows—all with the eyes of the world on them.” —Writer’s Bone, 23 Books That Should Be On Your Radar: October 2019
“Berkman crafts a moving account of women speaking up, leveraging their platform, and questioning the status quo that feels particularly apt in 2019.” —Dat Winning
An “incredible story.” —Audiofile Magazine
“Berkman is a true wordsmith, and has put everything together skillfully, melding hockey, politics, history, and disparate personalities from two completely different cultures. …My favourite hockey book of the year.” —Society for International Hockey Research
“10 out of 10 stars.” —Celebration of Books