Bobbie Rosenfeld: The Olympian Who Could Do Everything

Liz Dennett is a public service librarian in the Science and Technology
Library at the University of Alberta.

Fanny “Bobbie” Rosenfeld was one of Canada’s greatest athletes.
This inspiring and entertaining biography details her amazing all-around
athletic ability and recognizes her contributions to the promotion of
women’s sports throughout her lifetime. Bobbie (nicknamed thus because
of her short hair) is most famous for being one of the “Matchless
Six” Canadian women who won the women’s overall title at the 1928
Olympics. They were inspired by the gold and silver medals Bobbie won in
the 4 x 100 metres and 100 metres races, respectively. Bobbie also
placed 5th in the 800 metres, an event she had not even trained for.

In addition to relating Bobbie’s Olympic glory, Dublin tells of her
childhood as a Jewish immigrant in Barrie, Ontario, her natural athletic
ability, her strong competitive streak, her loyalty, and her sense of
humour. The book includes many wonderful stories of Bobbie’s athletic
exploits in hockey, basketball, track, softball, and tennis, and it
tells of her lifetime struggle with crippling arthritis (which struck
less than a year after the Olympics), as well as her career as a
sportswriter for The Globe and Mail (where she championed the cause of
women’s sports). Dublin provides context for Bobbie’s contributions
and achievements by discussing Bobbie’s life within the framework of
the current world events, politics, and culture. This excellent book
will help to ensure that a true hero of women’s sports will not be
forgotten. Highly recommended.