Fast Girls
A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team.
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Narrated by:
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Karissa Vacker
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Kristyl Dawn Tift
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Reba Buhr
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Kaleo Griffith
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By:
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Elise Hooper
About this listen
“Fast Girls is a compelling, thrilling look at what it takes to be a female Olympian in pre-war America.... Brava to Elise Hooper for bringing these inspiring heroines to the wide audience they so richly deserve.” (Tara Conklin, New York Times best-selling author of The Last Romantics and The House Girl)
Acclaimed author Elise Hooper explores the gripping, real-life history of female athletes, members of the first integrated women’s Olympic team, and their journeys to the 1936 summer games in Berlin, Nazi Germany.
Perfect for listeners who love untold stories of amazing women, such as The Only Woman in the Room, Hidden Figures, and The Lost Girls of Paris.
In the 1928 Olympics, Chicago’s Betty Robinson competes as a member of the first-ever women’s delegation in track and field. Destined for further glory, she returns home feted as America’s golden girl until a nearly fatal airplane crash threatens to end everything.
Outside of Boston, Louise Stokes, one of the few black girls in her town, sees competing as an opportunity to overcome the limitations placed on her. Eager to prove that she has what it takes to be a champion, she risks everything to join the Olympic team.
From Missouri, Helen Stephens, awkward, tomboyish, and poor, is considered an outcast by her schoolmates, but she dreams of escaping the hardships of her farm life through athletic success. Her aspirations appear impossible until a chance encounter changes her life.
These three athletes will join with others to defy society’s expectations of what women can achieve. As tensions bring the United States and Europe closer and closer to the brink of war, Betty, Louise, and Helen must fight for the chance to compete as the fastest women in the world amid the pomp and pageantry of the Nazi-sponsored 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
©2020 Elise Hooper (P)2020 HarperCollins PublishersCritic reviews
“Will hurl you down the track of American history and have you rooting for some of the toughest underdogs ever to aspire to Olympic gold. Three of the fastest girls in history finally get their day in the sun, and we get to bask in their glory. I couldn’t put this one down.” (Kerri Maher, author of The Kennedy Debutante and The Girl in White Gloves)
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Absorbing. Katie Villa as narrator was superb.
- By pt on 07-10-21
By: Debbie Rix
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Resistance Women
- A Novel
- By: Jennifer Chiaverini
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 20 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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From the New York Times best-selling author of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, an enthralling historical saga that recreates the danger, romance, and sacrifice of an era and brings to life one courageous, passionate American - Mildred Fish Harnack - and her circle of women friends who waged a clandestine battle against Hitler in Nazi Berlin.
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One of THE best historical fiction WW2 books!
- By JeanAnn Trombley on 06-04-19
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Jackie and Maria
- A Novel of Jackie Kennedy & Maria Callas
- By: Gill Paul
- Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan
- Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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Jackie Kennedy is beautiful, sophisticated, and contemplating leaving her ambitious young senator husband. When she's offered a holiday on the luxurious yacht owned by billionaire Ari Onassis, she says yes...to a meeting that will ultimately change her life. Maria Callas is at the height of her operatic career and widely considered to be the finest soprano in the world. And then she's introduced to Aristotle Onassis, the world's richest man and her fellow Greek. Little by little, Maria's and Jackie's lives began to overlap, until everything they know about the world changes on a dime.
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Appendix not recorded 😔
- By tahoe23 on 08-21-20
By: Gill Paul
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The Other Alcott
- A Novel
- By: Elise Hooper
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Stylish, outgoing, creative, May Alcott grows up longing to experience the wide world beyond Concord, Massachusetts. While her sister Louisa crafts stories, May herself is a talented and dedicated artist, taking lessons in Boston, turning down a marriage proposal from a well-off suitor, and facing scorn for entering what is very much a man's profession.
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Must read if you loved Little Women
- By Terri on 09-18-17
By: Elise Hooper
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The Woman Before Wallis
- A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts, and Royal Scandal
- By: Bryn Turnbull
- Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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In the summer of 1925, Thelma Morgan arrives at the Paris Ritz still stinging from the heartache and humiliation of her failed marriage. Her twin sister, Gloria, newly and blissfully wedded to Reginald Vanderbilt and with a baby in tow, has invited her to spend the summer - and though romance is the last thing on Thelma’s mind, she can’t deny that Reggie’s friend Duke Furness is as charming and dapper as he is keen to win her affection.
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Beautifully Written
- By Amazon Customer on 11-29-20
By: Bryn Turnbull
What listeners say about Fast Girls
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kirstin
- 05-19-24
Perfect Summer Olympic Read
Fantastic story! I started reading it because I was dreading training for a half marathon and thought it would be great inspiration. I ended up so much more engaged with the history and characters that I had expected. I cried when it was over because I kept wanting to follow the lives of these women. Definitely recommend it as a summer reading book with the Olympics coming up. I know that I will be cheering for our women’s track and field team with newfound respect this year.
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- Anonymous User
- 01-15-24
Insightful story
I enjoyed learning about these women athletes and their perseverance to compete in the Olympics in 1928-1936. I especially liked learning about the first Black track & field competitors during this time.
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- SW Lady
- 07-22-24
Really good book about 1932 and 1936 Olympics
This was a really good book about 1932 and 1936 Olympics and it pertaining to women. When the story came to the 1936 Olympics, it like quickly closed and it was like a let down for me. Also then I learned some of the details and characters were made up by the author which disheartened me too. Overall a good book though.
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- J Blom
- 04-27-23
Great book
I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. Great mix of factual knowledge and a great story line.
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1 person found this helpful
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- AA
- 07-21-23
Beautiful and inspiring story of female perseverance
I loved the various narrators bringing you along in each woman’s story and the depth of each character. This was a fascinating story that more women deserve to know and celebrate.
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- Evelyn
- 07-16-24
Wonderfully Written Story.
I enjoyed everything about and included in the story. Yes it is partly fiction but most of a true story of the events, thoughts and beliefs
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- Sharon P.
- 01-08-23
Page Turner
Wondering if Nazis really did try to sabotage American team and probably others. Surprising that other countries let Jews go to Germany while Hitler was in power.
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- Katie
- 04-26-23
Great read, as a woman and a runner!
Loved this historical fiction, and made me grateful for these pioneering women in the sports world.
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- Teresa A. Kline
- 01-25-24
Great story
Didn't want this story to stop. Captured the incredible struggles women athletes faced during these eras especially black female athletes. A must read for today's female athletes eager to understand the historical trailblazers!
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- Love of Reading, OK
- 11-12-21
Great read on fast girls & Olympics
Betty & US Olympics women was an inspiration to many young girls. Great historical read for book clubs.
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