Editorial Review

Fueled by a passion for running dogs, Gary Paulsen entered the Iditarod--the 1150-mile winter sled-dog race between Anchorage and Nome-- in dangerous ignorance and with a fierce determination.Read more

Reviews (123)

Funny, entertaining, a great read!
As a big Paulson fan this book was a great read. Gary provides an insight into the iditarod that only Gary can do. You will feel the cold, share his pain and truley feel you are running the race with him. Gary's love of his dogs and nature come through in this book. Anyone who wants an entertraining lesson on the iditarod, must read this book.

Laughing all the way
My husband read this book first. He constantly interrupted whatever I was doing to read it aloud because he was enjoying it so much. Finally, so that he would leave me alone, I agreed to read a chapter.All I can say is that a book has never made me laugh out loud like this one did.We both laughed until tears were running down our cheeks! I am so glad that my husband has never had any inclination to run the Iditarod like Paulsen did. I'm sure that if he had, the results would have been as hilarious as Paulsen's experiences.It's funny enough just to see my husband pack up to go duck hunting with our two Labs.As he drives off with the dogs disagreeing about who will get to sit up front, I am always reminded of the Three Stooges, but instead of Larry, Curly, and Moe, it's Stan, Daisy, and Buddy.

Laugh until you cry
This is a book for all ages.If my husband, who normally doesn't read anything but business material,can laugh until he cries you have to believe it is funny.I actually bought a second copy because my first had been around so much it was falling apart! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alaska    2. Biography    3. Dogs - General    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska    7. Mushers    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Winter Sports    10. Sports & Recreation / General    11. True stories of endurance & survival    12. USA    13. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race,   

Reviews (25)

Tis the season!
We get snow on the ground, and friends and couples will once again hit the powdery hills. Why not join them? Learn to snowboard - lessons on the slope are great, but give yourself a headstart with this terrific book.
Better than lessons in some cases
I took 2 group lessons and was never in so much pain. I was ready to quit. I got this book and went from complete beginner to intermediate after 4 times on slopes. I read entire book, then before and after each session I re-read the section with drills for my level. The book has some ambiguous descriptions and re-reading after snowboarding is important for understanding. If you don't have patience to re-read, work on drills, and take time to understand each sentence, then you'd be better off finding a qualified instructor.

Must have knowledge of the concepts of snowboarding
Once I started reading it I could not put it down!Being a rather new snowboarder now going into my 3rd season this book makes sense of all the things I've learned the hard way.By no means does this nor any book replace the need for lessons, but it does a great job of illustrating the concepts of this awesome sport.5 out of 5 stars for sure. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Psychological aspects    2. Snowboarding    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Winter Sports    6. Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports   

Reviews (132)

Spellbinding story - uneven writing and organization
This is a spellbinding book on a scuba diving drama that raises mixed emotions, as it combines a variety of topics and experiences and confronts the reader with a number of challenges. As the title implies, it is nominally about the last dive of Chris and Chrissie Rouse, a dare-devil father-and-son scuba dive team that perished in 1992 while trying to unlock the secrets of an undocumented German U-Boat laying at 230 feet of water about 60 miles off the New York/New Jersey coast.
Intriguing study of what drives risk takers
Bringing their only child into the world, and making a lifetime commitment to each other, changed everything for Chris and Sue Rouse when they faced her unplanned pregnancy. Chris was 18 years old, and still in high school, when Chris Jr. - known throughout his life as "Chrissy" - arrived. Sue gave up her dreams of college, a career, and world travel so the young couple could build a business and a family instead. Eventually they succeeded so well financially that Chris could afford such hobbies as owning his own small airplane. Then he discovered scuba diving, a sport to which he promptly introduced both Sue and Chrissy; and the Rouse family's lives changed again. Never inclined toward doing anything by halves, they soon moved from recreational diving - a relatively safe pursuit - to the adrenaline rush of cave diving.
A Must Read For Any Wreck Diver
Bernie Chowdury does a great job at giving an in depth look in the life and death of the Rouse's. This book is a must read for anyone involved in the sport of Wreck Diving. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family/Marriage    4. Oceans & Seas    5. Outdoor Skills    6. Parenting - Fatherhood    7. Scuba & Snorkeling    8. Winter Sports    9. Sports & Recreation / Outdoor Skills   

Reviews (4)

Great Book!
I loved it. I have referred to it many, many time for my sled dogs' problems, and it is a great source of information. It covers just about everything you need to know for mushing, choosing a dog, making supplies, running them, etc. I would reccomend it to anyone who is an experienced musher or a beginner.

Dog Driver
This is an excellent book for beginners as well as professional. It is the most detailed and updated book on the market. Covering finding the right dog, proper gear and how to use it (detailed photos) quality of food, daily care, medical needs, breeding, training, recreational, distance and sprint racing. I reccommend it to ALL beginner mushers.

Must Book for Dog Drivers
Dog Driver by Miki and Julie Collins is a book all who have ever wanted to drive a team, who are driving a team, or who have drove a team should have. It has something for everyone.Read more

Subjects:  1. Dogs - Breeds - Working & Herding Dogs    2. Dogsledding    3. Equestrian    4. Outdoor Life    5. Sled dogs    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Winter Sports    9. Active outdoor pursuits    10. Equestrian & animal sports   

Reviews (3)

Great book for any skiier (beginner or expert).
I usually don't write reviews for purchases I make.If I'm having to write a review for this one, it really means something.
Hey, this is a really cool book
I must say this is a really cool book.I mean, first of all, the title is exactly what this book is about "Things Every Skier Must Know".Finally, a book that lives up to its title!Daaamn!This book is quite unique in that it does not teach you ski technique or ski mechanics or ski maintenance...just way, way too many of these books.Instead, this book teaches you stuff...really useful, practical stuff like how to hook up your skis on your car rack...the right way!Or how to look for a well-qualified ski instructor - believe me, this is not an easy task to do!I've taken so many ski lessons and ended up with so many bad ski instructors, it's not even funny and I pretty much had to learn skiing on my own.There is also great advice on how to prepare for a ski vacation and some brief notes on skiing on various terrains and even a chapter on ski racing!This book ponders on almost every aspect of skiing but the kitchen sink (What does that have to do with skiing, you wonder...absolutely nothing).I highly recommend this book.It is a great read on the plane or long trips to the ski resort.I mean it is quite lengthy for a ski book, but then I can't recall a ski book that is about everything there is to know about skiing?

Vital information for new skiers
This book contains a lot of information useful to new skiers. I wish I had it when I started skiing a few years ago. Worth at least the price of a few skiing lessons. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference    2. Skiing - General    3. Skis and skiing    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Winter Sports    7. Sports & Recreation / Skiing   

Editorial Review

Attention skiers: have you looked down from the chair lift with envy at the ever-growing legionof snowboarders sailing down the slopes and hooting gleefully to each other? Does surfing on snow lookpretty fun? You bet! Read more

Reviews (5)

Buy the Illustrated Guide to Snowboarding instead.
This book is decent, but the Illustrated Guide to Snowboarding is a much more in-depth and well written book.It is also more entertaining with funny drawings and tips.This book really only skims the surface on all the areas you need to start snowboarding.

(no title)
This book is great for begginers and also explains advanced tricks and techniques like methods, spins, cliff drops, carving and explains a little about racing and competative snowboarding. It also gives you usefull info like what to eat before you go, warm-ups, getting on and off chairlifts, ect.

Snowboarding at it purest
I really got alot out of this book, if you want to save yourself a beating on the run's this is for you! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sailing - General    2. Skiing - General    3. Snowboarding    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Winter Sports    7. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (3)

Great Contribution to XC Skiing
Einar Svensson has put an amazing level of effort and care into producing "Ski Skating With Champions: How to Ski With Least Energy," and it shows. Detailed, analytical approach
Mr. Svensson's book presents detailed analyses of 17 skate skiing techniques and more.I really liked that each technique was presented in a several different ways.Anyone who has teaching experience knows that two different students may find different approaches to a subject more effective.As to 'technical errors' found by 'elite skiers' I have a feeling nordic skiiers are like musicians.It is said that the only thing two musicians can agree on is the incompetence of a third.Indeed there are a variety of tweeks and variations on each technique that will prove to be effective for each skiier.This book provides ample material for a starting point.This is a really amazing book.

Extensive Work
A lot of work went into writing Ski Skating With Champions.It dissectsski skating like no other book before it.Many intermediate level skierswill find it thought provoking.Read more

Subjects:  1. Skiing - CrossCountry    2. Skiing - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Winter Sports    6. Biomechanics    7. Cross-country skiing    8. Skating   

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Snowshoes and snowshoeing    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Winter Sports    6. Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports   

Reviews (5)

A modern sports autobiography
Chris Klug and Steve Jackson's account of the Olympian's triumphant life is an excellent example of the modern sports autobiography: Truly spoken, well-written, and a glimpse inside a sport not too many readers probably know too much about. But it's Klug's life -- so far -- that intrigues. Like Lance Armstrong, Klug has faced adversity outside of sports and conquered it, making his athletic achievement so much more important and interesting. Top-notch work.

Excellant Book Amazing
This is simply an amazing story.From beginning to end, it instills a sense of wanting to go out and live life to the fullest.It has everything a great book should.This book will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate life.A great inspirational story, everyone should have this in his or her collection.This book appeals not only to skiers and snowboarders but also across generations.

What a story!
This is one of the most motivational books I have read.If you finish reading this book and aren't totally stoked about attacking life, you need serious help.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Liver    6. Olympics    7. Patients    8. Snowboarders    9. Sports - General    10. Transplantation    11. Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc.    12. United States    13. Winter Sports    14. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (8)

Excellent reading - excellent value
The books is written in a easy to follow style,no-nonsense,and contains both academical info about avalanches and practical , hot tips. A lot of valuable information is packed up in this book. The book is also copiously illustrated with both photos and graphical drawings to reinforce the knowledge contained in the text.
Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.
The Best Avalanche book I have ever read. I would recommend to pros and novices alike.

The best of my avalanche books
I own 6 of the most popular books on avalanche safety; this is by far the best. The core information needed to assess avalanche risk is given in some detail but the explanations are presented in "everyday" terms and are quite easy to understand. None-the-less,Tremper never talks down to his readers and the full level of complexity inherent in the subject matter is maintained. This is simply a very well written book by an author who appearantly is able to write well naturally.He would probably do very well writing about any subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Avalanches    2. Mountaineering    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Safety measures    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Winter Sports    8. Outdoor survival skills   

Reviews (13)

No match for Paulsen
Every once in a while we go up to Ely, MN, and spend a day or so dogsledding.So, prior to this year's trip, I bought a few books on the Iditarod and mushing in general.
A must read
I thought the book was well written - I read at every opportunity, even my lunch time at work!I'm from South Africa, where winter day temperatures hover around 15 deg C (59 F) and I've seen snow maybe twice in my life, but this story was written in such a way that I'm burning to try mushing myself!Imagine that!I've ordered other books on mushing which, I'm hoping, will convince me that I shouldn't be so crazy. a lot safer than taking on the iditarod yourself
This is far from the best-written non-fiction book I have ever read.The journalist's experience writing in the shorter form of articles shows through in the disjointed feel of much of the narrative.This is still well worth the read if you have any interest in Alaska, mushing, or man's working relationship with dogs.Even without those interests you may well find the book enjoyable.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alaska    2. Biography    3. General    4. Iditarod (Race)    5. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska    6. Mushers    7. Nature/Ecology    8. O'Donoghue, Brian    9. Sled dog racing    10. Special Interest - Adventure    11. Sports & Recreation    12. Travel    13. United States - West - Pacific (General)    14. Winter Sports    15. Humor / General    16. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race,   

Reviews (4)

If you're diving the BVI This is the book to have!
Jim and Odile Scheiner have been photographing and diving the BVI since long before any Bush's were in the white house. Their diving expertise and professionaly crafted photgraphs will guide you to some of the best diving in this area. Don't travel to the BVI without this book if you're planning any diving! It's that good.

Essential resource
If you're planning a bareboat charter in the British Virgin Islands and would like to head off to dive sites on your own then this is the book you need.The book contains dive site locations, mooring locations, skill requirements, weather considerations, site layouts, suggested underwater routes, and dive descriptions. We arrived in the Virgin Islands with a bag of dive books and this is the one that we used over and over again!

Diving at BVI
If you want a realy good book for diving at the BVI then take this one. I got all of my informations out of this book and all dives where fine. The only thing i missed was a map with stations for tank refill. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Scuba & Snorkeling    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Winter Sports    7. Sports & Recreation / Water Sports   

Reviews (1)

Short But Sweet
This is an excellent book for someone looking to gain familiarity with the fast growing sport.Steven Griffin gives an excellent overview into many subjects.He discusses how snowshoes have developed over the years and how to pick the right ones.The improtance of bindings is nicely discussed.In addition, Griffin adds that snowshoeing is really quite easy to learn. Also key equipment is discussed in great detail. Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Snowshoes and snowshoeing    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Winter Sports   

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Snowshoes and snowshoeing    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Winter Sports    6. Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports   

Subjects:  1. Snowboarding    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Winter Sports   

Reviews (8)

Excellent reading - excellent value
The books is written in a easy to follow style,no-nonsense,and contains both academical info about avalanches and practical , hot tips. A lot of valuable information is packed up in this book. The book is also copiously illustrated with both photos and graphical drawings to reinforce the knowledge contained in the text.
Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.
The Best Avalanche book I have ever read. I would recommend to pros and novices alike.

The best of my avalanche books
I own 6 of the most popular books on avalanche safety; this is by far the best. The core information needed to assess avalanche risk is given in some detail but the explanations are presented in "everyday" terms and are quite easy to understand. None-the-less,Tremper never talks down to his readers and the full level of complexity inherent in the subject matter is maintained. This is simply a very well written book by an author who appearantly is able to write well naturally.He would probably do very well writing about any subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Avalanches    2. Mountaineering    3. Outdoor Skills    4. Safety measures    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Winter Sports    8. Outdoor survival skills   

Reviews (5)

An essential primer
Having made the decision (later than most!) to retire my 195cm straight sided GS skis, I needed to better understand how to adapt my technique to the new shaped slalom 165cm skis I bought. Lisa Densmore's book is a really good primer on the essentials of technique and how this has changed in relation to the various 'downhill' disciplines. There is the bonus reading on pre-season training and how methods have evolved plus a section on ski preparation that is easy to follow and practical. The clarity and authority of the writing invites reading this book time and again.Do bear in mind that things have continued to evolve over the five years since the book was published. Ski lengths have gone down further and additional techniques like the short reaching turn have emerged. However, the core of this book is solid, competitively priced and well presented.

Excellent for good skiers trying to get better
I was skiing on NASTAR courses and consistently getting Bronze medals; I was a pretty good skier and I could get down any slope but I could not break out of the Novice NASTAR category.
THE one-stop resource for racing instruction
I was in an REI store in Baltimore a few years ago when I stumbled on this book and promptly bought it.I had read a few other similar guides but I was still having difficulty grasping the concept of a proper Giant Slalom turn.Lisa Feinberg Densmore's SKI FASTER clearly and succinctly got the message across.Helpful photos of the "wrong" way as well as the "right" way really gave me an understanding of what I should be striving for.Although I have a long way to go, this nifty tome has helped me shave significant seconds off my recreational race league times.I have only one request.Lisa, when are you going to put it all on video?I've searched the web looking for an instructional video for recreational GS racers and none exist!With your broadcast background, you'd be a natural to produce one.As my club's racing captain, I an assure you there is a market out there!Read more

Subjects:  1. Alpine Skiing    2. Downhill ski racing    3. Downhill skiing    4. Sailing - General    5. Skiing - Alpine    6. Skiing - General    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Training    10. Winter Sports    11. Skiing    12. Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports   

Editorial Review

"Snowboarding," writes Susanna Howe, "has burst into our lives and become a vessel of meaning." Hyperbole? Sure, but as sports go, snowboarding Read more

Reviews (6)

Great informative book
I bought this book for a research project and it was extremely useful and informative and very interesting. I'd recommend it to anyone, but especially snowboarders(a must read). It's always good to know the history of your sport.

Lame
Fake, pretentious, and totally dumb if you know anything about snowboarding. If snowboarders were like bands, this writer would be the cheesy a&r rep trying to be cool while making money off the peeps.

Not for all but great for some
This book to many may have seemed lame and false, when in fact was practically written by pioneers such as Burton, Sims, Morrow, and Kemper founders.If you were born after 86 you would get the book, if u were bornbefore its a great, not a must, a great read. I loved it because of howmuch of a taboo it was, it was a current day mystery that wasn't respectedat first, and needed brave people to design the board from a ski with arope, much more than that, but great read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. Snowboarding    3. Social aspects    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Winter Sports    7. Sports & Recreation / Winter Sports   

Reviews (3)

It's all about the How-To
I'm usually pretty skeptical of How-To books, but this one was recommended to me. It's quite cool. I was able to understand it, and it actually helped me get started snowboarding. I can seriously recommend this book for regular people.

Thanks Mr. Goldman
Awesome book. Used it to help decide what equipment to get and to teach my girlfriend the basics. The writing style is easy to read and the contents are great for an introduction. The descriptions and pictures of slipping, edging and traversals made were really illuminating, and instructions on riding powder made me want to go lay some tracks.

Informative, clear and descriptive--a must for snowboarders
Goldman knows the sport of snowboarding and does a fantastic job of providing all the essential information anyone else would need to know to enjoy snowboarding.From equipment to accessories to getting started basics and advanced skills, I enjoyed reading the book and felt I learned something new on every page.The photos and drawings were also super helpful to me.Goldman is a fine writer who undoubtedly loves to snowboard and I walked away from having read the book feeling Goldman's enthusiasm for the sport and wishing it were already winter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Skiing - General    3. Snowboarding    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Winter Sports   

Reviews (2)

Not For Everyone
If you are a huge hockey fan, with knowledge about players and teams, new and old, throughout Canada and at all age levels, you are the right person for this book.Reading about places, people, and teams that I didn't know anything about was very frustrating and made it hard to keep reading.A good portion of the book was just comparing Gretzky and Crosby.That was interesting, in moderation.I was looking for a book to tell all about Sidney Crosby and his trip to the NHL.This book has that, but it came along with a lot of extra stuff that was unnecessary.

A bit painful
OK, any time a new star pops up there is an author wanting to make a quick buck. I knew better than to jump on the first unofficial biography but did anyways. Like any book of this genre, the entire thing comes off as "I talked to someone who talked to someone who once knew Sidney and based on that we can deduce this...". It was clear from the author's account that they stalked the Crosby family for a period of time and despite that effort failed to gain any deep insights from Sidney or his family. This entire book could have been written after reading newspaper clippings and perhaps a 30 minute interview with Sidney. My recommendation - wait until Sidney lives up to the hype (and I suspect he will!) and then read his official biography. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Hockey - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Winter Sports