"New York Times sportswriter Jere Longman brings us The Girls of Summer, an account of the epic final and an inside look at the cultural phenomenon that is U. S. women's soccer. With especially revealing profiles of such superstars as Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, and Briana Scurry, Longman illuminates the larger issues surrounding their success - their newfound status as role models, the media's sexualization of the team members, players' grappling with matters of race, alleged sexual harassment, and equal pay for equal play, as well as the battle to establish an enduring legacy of female participation in the sport. "--BOOK JACKET.