Book Description
Follow the progress of a beginner skating class as Lilly and her friends strap on their skates and take to the ice for the first time. They learn to glide forward and backward, listen, and respond to musical accompaniment, and, finally, show off their jumps and spins in a performance for their parents. Packed with inspiring full-color photographs, Ice Skating School transports young readers into the dazzling world of figure skating. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

BaBYISH
Im a skater and thought this will help me with my skating. It sucked. ... Read more

Book Description
Young players will refer to these instructive "how-to" guides again and again.Superguides are incisive "how-to" books that answer every question a young sports enthusiast might have! These comprehensive guides in vibrant new jackets and under the new Superguides series title are perfect for young athletes. Young Enthusiasts, the original best-selling series, sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Superguides give valuable advice on everything from suitable clothing to strategy development. Each book includes detailed information on rules, objectives, scoring, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Superguides: Ice Skating
I loved this book! I think that every skater should read this book! I fell in love with skating though this book. Of course, I liked skating before I read this book, but this book showed me that skating was for me!

Techniques and Advanced Skills
Skating on Ice began hundreds of years ago as a way to get from one place to another. The focus of ice skating today is definately more for entertainment, however natural ice rinks form in countries with exceptionally cold winter weather and you can skate outdoors for exercise.

In Toronto and Canada, large areas are flooded during the winter months to make rinks and skating is one of the most popular sports in Canada now. Some of the first World Championships were held in outdoor rinks and for me, ice skating outdoors is ideal. I dream of skating down a frozen lake and did skate as a child on a frozen lake once.

My holiday dreams for the winter are now focusing on a place with an outdoor rink. I say all this to say: Introducing a child to ice skating can give them much pleasure later in life. My parents would drop my brother and I off at the ice rink and we never wanted to leave. My brother taught me to skate backwards which I was very proud of!

This is a sport the whole family can enjoy if parents can find the time to take their children for this fun activity. In this wonderful introduction to skating, children will learn what they will need to be comfortable and warm. I didn't realize an ice-dance blade was different from a free-skating blade. Now, that is information I could have used as a child.

A Warming up section shows children how to stretch to prevent injuries. If you remember your first steps onto the ice, the next section will be very valuable. What happens if your child falls in the middle of the ice rink? If no one is nearby...the picture they show is fine, but if skaters are whizzing by...I would tell children to keep their fingers folded in as they try to get back up. Sometimes you can get knocked back over just as you are getting up, has happened. ;>

This section shows children how to step out onto the ice, how to fall safely, do dips and how to scull. Skating forwards is the basics, but they go into Crossovers, the snowplow, stopping by using a T-stop and a hockey stop. Skating backwards and not falling is exhilirating!

The step-by-step intructions are all illustrated by real skaters. How to place your weight and on what leg is very important for balance. Did you know that edges are the foundation of ice skating? This is what allows skaters to skate curves and circles. Once the forward and backward skating has been mastered, you can move on to turns and then to jumping on ice. I would recommend ice skating classes for sure, however this book will allow the skater to read all about what they are learning in class. It seems to me it would be difficult to learn to do jumps from a book and I don't recommend it.

They do say: "Seek professional coaching before you attempt any of the moves." A glossary gives insight into the language of ice skating. You can look up a sit spin or a waltz hold or even a bunny hop. All I have to say is...why am I here writing a review when I could be skating. ;> I have my eye on a 3-way convertible skate by Hypno (Fila Manufacturer) that has ice blades, inline skates and a boot that detaches. It looks perfect for outdoor sports when you want to put on your shoes and then go outside. You just snap on the wheels or ice blades. If anyone has them, write me and tell me if they are comfortable.

Enjoy this book, it is so informative and will really get you or your children out on the ice! There is nothing cuter than "mini-skaters" with their parents out on the ice. My dad used to skate with us as children. I do miss all those fun times, but that must be why we have children so we can relive our own childhood through the eyes of a child. This is an exciting book on a sport so many love.

I highly recommend this book to any child or adult who wants to find out the basics and all the extras of skating.

Ice Skating made easy and understandable
Learning to skate is made easy by this guidebook.Everything in iceskating has to do with precise control over edges and clear control overyour body.Many times you might feel out of control when you begin toskate.Not only does this guide help you feel more secure as a skater, youbenefit from clear illustrations of skating moves. I've seen and purchasedother guidebooks, but this one is clearly the best. ... Read more

Book Description
Angelina is planning a New Year’s Eve ice dance for everyone in Mouseland. All of her friends are taking part—even little cousin Henry. But two big boys from school keep interrupting their rehearsals. When a giant snowball fight breaks out, Angelina is sure the dance will be ruined. Will she find a way to make the show a success? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Charming
In this next book in the Angelina Ballerina series, Angelina prepares for the New Year's Eve Ice Dance. It's a lovely pageant, but she repeatedly finds her practice interrupted by Spike and Sammy, two boys from the school. When she complains to her mother, Mrs. Mouseling explains that the two boys just want her attention. And so, Angelina forms a plan to include the two boys...

Once again, I must say that Katherine Holabird sure knows how to write a wonderful story. I liked the lesson of the book, and my daughter and I both loved Helen Craig's illustrations. We highly recommend this book to you.

Angelina Ice Skates
I fell in love with Angelina when I was young and the first book came out.I recently read Angelina Ice Skates and loved it as I did all the others.The Angelina books all teach a lesson, yet put the characters in situations that real children could end up in.In Angelina Ice Skates, Angelina and her friends are having trouble with some of the boys at the rink.Hermother gives her some advice and all works out in the end.The perfectlength for a bedtime story, I would recommend this book for all children'slibraries, especially little girls who want to be ballerinas. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great book for a skater or a fan!
The book "Magic on Ice" is great for a figure skater OR a big fan of the sport. It includes pages on famous skaters, behind the scenes at competitions, judging, stretching, warming up, and skating on the ice. Igave it four stars because it's a good book but could be a little longer. ... Read more

Book Description
When Amy trains for the Novice Canadian Figure Skating Championship she knows the stakes are high. If she does well, she's one step closer to the Olympics; if she doesn't, she's convinced her parents will stop paying for her skating lessons.

One day in practice she falls, hard. Afraid she'll miss the championship, she doesn't tell her coach about the screaming pain in her right knee. As the day approaches, however, it gets worse and worse until it threatens to end her skating dreams.

Leap of Faith shows the extremes to which competitive ambition can drive young athletes, and the consequences that follow. ... Read more

Book Description
Scott Hamilton is one of the most beloved figure skaters inthe world-not just among his colleagues, but to the sport's countlessfans as well. So when the Olympic gold medalist and four-time WorldChampion launched his "Stars on Ice" tour back in 1986, everyone wishedhim the best. In fact, the best is exactly what he got. Hamilton's "Starson Ice" has become the most successful ice skating tour on the planet. In this lively look at figure skating's most remarkable success story,Stars on Ice features full-color illustrations of the graceful skaterswho have entertained fans throughout the show's reign. From DorothyHamill to Brian Orser, from Katarina Witt to Kristi Yamaguchi, Stars onIce beautifully displays the talents of Olympic and World Championskaters through stunningly realistic photography. In addition,behind-the-scenes vignettes from the tour reveal the heartfeltcamaraderie and sense of family felt among the skaters. From the tour'searly days of opening night fiascoes to the tragically unexpected loss ofSergei Grinkov to Scott Hamilton's own battle with cancer, Stars on Icetells a tale of a sport that has touched fans like no other. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Breath taking..
This book was what i expected it to be.It was full of colorful pictures, and very good description of how Stars on Ice evolved to what it is now. GREAT pictures excellent story....though if u were thinking of getting thevideo "The Best of Stars on Ice" ... it wasnt good at all.Theywere performances from the last 5 years and not the 10 years it talks abouton its back cover..

Excellent work about how Stars On Ice evolved into The Tour!
Reason why I bought the book: Just one. Rosalynn Sumners. She was rather reluctant when Scott called her and invited her to join the tour......and that was back in 1986. Thirteen years and a few hundred shows later, Rozhas matured into one of the finest entertainers on the ice. Her departurefrom the SOI tour after the 1998-99 season was rather sad, but rereadingher thoughts and feelings on subjects such as Sergei's death to Scott'scancer and her own shining moments was well worth the money I paid for thebook. Roz, I'll miss you when SOI starts the 1999-2000 tour. God bless!

Great photos
This book has lots of great photos pf all the skaters. A must for every SOI fan.

Brings You Close To Katia and SOI!!
I thought this was an absolutely fantastic book!!! It really gets you up close and personal with the World's Greatest Skating Tour, and I loved the chapter in tribute to Sergei Grinkov. Lots of terrific pictures from allthe programs through the years!! It starts out with the story of how StarsOn Ice got started, and tells about the earliest skaters, all the way up totoday's performers (like my favourite, Katia Gordeeva). This book is amust-have for any fan of SOI and skating in general. You will definatelyhave to see the show in person, after this book!!!

did not reach potential, but not bad either
First, as in nearly all figure skating books these days, the photography is excellent. The photographs will make the reader rush out and buy tickets to Stars on Ice. The chapter about the tragic death of Sergei Grinkov is asmoving as one would expect. However, the family feeling of Stars on Ice didnot shine through out the entire book. In most chapters it was a shallow,superficial coverage of this unique tour. It could have been so much more. ... Read more

Book Description

In all of her roles -- athlete, wife, mother, role model, and cancer survivor -- Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming has relied upon the discipline she cultivated as a young skater. Now in this intimate memoir, she eloquently reveals her fascinating life story and shares her secrets to serenity and success.

In 1968 -- the first year the Olympic Winter Games were televised live and in color -- the nation anxiously watched a teenaged girl in a chartreuse dress deliver a breathtaking free-skating program. Her performance not only captured the United States' only winter gold medal, but a country's collective heart as well. It was our introduction to Peggy Fleming.

A young woman who embodied both stunning athleticism and magnificent grace, Peggy Fleming became an instant celebrity. Yet, as this shy and reclusive California tomboy discloses, she was anything but comfortable in the public eye. She was only a gawky twelve-year-old when she began to reenergize the sport after the entire U.S. Figure Skating team -- including Peggy's coach -- was lost in a plane crash. Peggy reveals how she developed an inner strength that allowed her to conquer doubt and fear, and how that strength stayed with her after the Olympics. She also describes how, in the decades that followed, she found great joy and balance in her life -- sharing her knowledge and insight as an on-air analyst for ABC Sports (for eighteen years and counting), and maintaining a long-standing marriage that has given her two delightful sons.

But Peggy's toughest challenge came thirty years after she won the gold medal. In 1998, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Here, Peggy candidly details her courageous physical and emotional battle. She also explains how she ultimately prevailed, and why she felt it necessary to become an outspoken, highly visible promoter of breast cancer awareness.

Through it all, Peggy always maintained poise, confidence, and her acute sense of self. Demonstrating why these attributes are essential to achieving any goal, she relates how every person's life has its own version of a long program, those precious years that take little girls and turn them into wives, mothers, grandmas, and survivors. And she shows how making a plan and then reacting to the twists and turns of reality is what skating is all about and what life is all about.

A compelling memoir that deserves the highest marks, The Long Program is both a portrait of a remarkable woman, and a collection of inspiring lessons on how each of us can be our best. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Peggy Fleming "The Long Program"
Too bland.While Peggy Fleming's skating style will always be my favorite, reading this book felt like an entertainer who never really connected with the audience.

The book attempts to cover a smattering of events in the author's life but it was too superficial to hold my interest.Here's two examples:

-- Peggy alludes to her mother's domineering personality and provides the example of taking control her wedding, but doesn't get into any of the details or how this made her feel.
-- Peggy also mentions a favorite marinated pork recipe that she enjoys making for her family, and it would've seemed fitting that the recipe be included but it wasn't.

I'm not sure what the focus or the purpose of this book was/is.Is it Peggy's philosphy?An instruction book?Her life story?I think if the author just focused on one of these things, it would've been more successful in both quality and sales.

what a lady
Well this book reflects what we see about Ms. Fleming in her television commentary - she is a lady in the true sense of the word.But if you're looking for an inside look at the politics of figure skating, keep looking.This is Peggy's personal story - there no juicy gossip (which says a lot about her as a person but would have made the book more interesting) - what I love the most is that she includes a copy of her choreography diagram for her 1968 figure skating program - It's interesting to see how they "write" out a figure skating program

A bit impersonal
I love Peggy Fleming -- she was talented, unspoiled, and professional as an athlete.But folks who want to get to know Peggy in depth willl need more than this autobiography.Fleming writes in a very impersonal tone, as if she is telling the story of another skater.While it is chockful of details about skating programs and locations, it lacks any real insight into what it FELT LIKE to be a 1960s Olympic athlete and her views on the skating world today.Fleming barely mentions the pressures that skating must surely have placed on her formative years, family life, social and personal development, and self esteem.The impact of the family's Peggy-focus on her sibilings is only lightly mentioned in brief paragraph.Indeed, the most interesting struggle Fleming appears to have had was finding skating outfits that were both pretty and modest.There is also little indepth analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the skating world today.Her commentary about the Harding/Kerrigan incident could have easily been made by a nonprofessional spectator.Fleming comes across as a nice person who speaks well of others and the sport, but lacks (or chooses to surpress) any kind of a critical eye to the controversies that have surfaced in the skating world (e.g., excessive pressure to excel, anorexia/bulimia, inside politics, etc.).It is a "nice" book, but Ms. Fleming remains a very private person which is not what one expects when the personal account of someone's life story!

Fleming's lack of depth is disappointing
Fleming's autobiography, The Long Program, does a poor and inadequate job of telling a potentially profound story. Fleming's words and descriptions do not give justice to the depth of many of the stories told throughout the novel. Tragedies such as the unexpected death of her coach in a plane crash, and the deaths of her parents are stated in a sentence or two, never getting into the emotions that surely surrounded the experiences. Readers looking for a first-hand recount of Fleming's experience with competitive skating should also beware. She just barely skims the surface of the pressures and glory of being an Olympic medal winner and World Championship title holder. Humorous and detailed stories that often liven up autobiographies are also few and far between. Due to the shallowness and straightforwardness of this book, I would not recommend it for anything higher than purely recreational reading when a few hours can be spared.

Insightful But Not Fascinating
When I first started reading this novel. I wasn't keen about reading it because The book seemed to be like A How to Skate book. Who is her favorite skaters and me this and me that. Until I read the chapter about Being Mom and the chapter about her fighting breast cancer. Those chapters were truly inspirational. Then I felt I knew the Real Peggy Fleming. So I'm giving it three stars. ... Read more

Book Description

Michelle Kwan, Alexei Yagudin, Elvis Stojko, Anissina and Peizerat the names of today's greatest figure skaters are as evocative and magical as their stunningly choreographed programs. These brilliant young skaters, and many, many more, are spotlighted in this richly illustrated book for every fan of the world's most elegant sport.

Figure skating is a sport like no other. Combining grace, incredible athletic ability and true showmanship, every competition is exhilarating and highly entertaining. Anything can happen on the ice and often does. As the fans of figure skating know, beauty and danger add up to the greatest show on ice.

The team of Gerard Chataigneau and Steve Milton combine their love of the competition and many years of experience photographing and writing about the skaters to produce a wonderful tribute to the stars and their art. With biographies and statistics, Figure Skating Now offers a fan's eye view of the competitive world of international figure skating at its highest levels.

What youngster has not dreamed of flying gracefully across the ice in a glamorous costume, astonishing onlookers with a perfectly executed triple flip and a dizzying scratch spin, as the music rises and falls with each move? The extraordinary photographs in Figure Skating Now show brilliant young stars doing precisely that. This is an ideal book for dreamers, skaters and armchair fans alike.

Customer Reviews (8)

Wonderful Photography, That Glossy Skating Book That's Fun To Browse Through
I only have the first edition of Figure Skating Now, so if I mention some skaters that dropped off the scene around 2001, that's my solid explanation why I did. Figure Skating Now is a better buy than Icestars because of it's wonderful photography and solidly edited profile info, and, after I buy a book, my fetish is to see if the pages "smell" good, and if you're on the same page with me and my fetish, then Figure Skating Now is a top-notch book because of it's forever-glossy smell contained in it's pages. Still, you have to remember that Figure Skating Now is not an informational guide to figure skating, like The Official Guide To Figure Skating, it's simply a book with extremely nice photography, glossy pages, and well-edited if not very informative, profiles of the top skaters in the world today. In that aspect, it's simply classified as a just-so-you-know book that fans of skating, particularly female fans, will love to flip through and chant a chorus of "Ooh!s and Aah!s" about over their favorite skaters. In that sense, it is similar to Icestars, only it's edited much better.
It basically gives profiles of all the four aspects of skating (mens, womens, pairs, and ice dancing) and the top skaters in each category (examples include Evgeny Plushenko, Michelle Kwan, Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao, and Barbara Fusar Poli and Maurizio Margaglio). Some other previous skaters whose profiles were featured include Alexei Yagudin, Todd Eldridge, Sarah Hughes, Maria Butyrskaya, Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze, Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat and Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kratz-retired skaters featured in the 2001 edition, the majority who competed in the 2002 Olympics before announcing their retirement. My point is that I would get the more updated version of Figure Skating Now (the 2nd edition) just to be more updated in your knowledge of the biggest stars in figure skating. Overall, this book is fine and is worth the money if you want a glossy skating book with nice profiles of your favorite skaters, if you want a book describing the comprehensive history and knowledge of figure skating, this isn't the one to get, but it doesn't claim to be that. In fact, it succeeds extremely well at what it claims to be.

Difficult to know which edition is which
The second edition (Sept 2003) does feature Sasha Cohen and is up to date - loads of photos very good info for the new or experienced skating fan.

Good for "New" Skate Fans
This is a good introduction to the current stars of figure skating. If you have read books about skating and they have told you about recent stars then this book won't do you a lot of good. It does have a lot of good photography and does include info about some people that you don't normally find in other books. One other thing is, because it reviews figure skaters who did well in the 2001 worlds, it does not include Sasha Cohen considering she was out with an injury that season. It really depends on you if you want to get it or not. If you love reading skating books then this is a great book, but if you'd either only want to read about the champions or read about them once this isn't the book for you.

i thought i would get better
I got this book and was excited, but they wrote about such pointless stuff, its good for a quick ref i guess. They also didn't include skaters such as Sasha Cohen (:}) but oh well, don't buy it!

Great Book of knowledge
I recommend this book to anyone that wants to know the gossip on how the latest figure skaters got to where they are today. With lots of great pictures of all stars including Michelle Kwan, Sarah Huges, Irina Slutskya, Elvis Stojko, Alexei Yagudin and much much more from all around the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Nice
I must have read this a thousand times between the ages of 10 and 12.Everything about it delighted me.I loved the reality and sharpness of the characters.I loved their friendship.It was comforting.

LOVED IT!
To make it short, the summery of the story was this: Samantha gets really sick even before the book happens which causes her to drop out of a high class dance boarding school. She comes to live back home with her parents who never want her to be part of any kind of spor again. While at her new highschool, she meets Alex, star hockey player. He also does pairs ice dancing, but he just ditched his dance partner, cause shes really bratty. Sam and Alex partner up and compete. Thats pretty much the basics of the story,but with all the details it was a really great book, both Alex and Sam have attitudes, which makes it even more fun.

Strongly recommended
I must have read this and "Ice Princess" the follow-up book at least 20 times in the past few years. Whether you're into skating or not, which in my case, I just like to watch, I'm sure you will love this book.It's a great story of determination and giving it everything you've got.The characters are unbelievable and the storyline is great! I can't wait toread them again! They're well worth buying!

Awesome!
I never got the chance to ice dance, but the way the writer portarys it, I'd love to go sign up. This and his other book, Ice Princess, are awesome!If you have not read them you need to, no matter if your into icedancing you will be after this!

Absolutely Wonderful Book! I A "6.0! "
I love this book! It's great for people who ice dance or figure skate, because they can relate to this! :) ... Read more

Book Description
Gold on Ice takes a behind the scenes look at Canada's golden couple. At the 2002 Olympic winter games in Salt Lake City, gold medallist pairs skating couple Jamie Sal and David Pelletier inspired the imaginations and captured the hearts of millions of viewers from around the world and found themselves at the heart of International Olympic controversy. When Jamie Sale and David Pelletier finished second to Elena Berezhnaia and Anton Sikharulidze, after skating what was considered an incontestable perfect performance, there was an uproar of disapproval from Canada and several other nations. French judge Le Gougne later admitted that she had been pressured to place the Russians first. After an intense investigation, the International Olympic Committee, awarded a second gold medal to Sal and Pelletier acknowledging the injustice that had been committed. Gold on Ice details the investigations and political games that were uncovered at the 2002 Olympics and tells the story of the two skaters who did all the right things, dreamed all the right dreams and in the end made all the difference for future skaters. Beverley Smith chronicles the early lives and events of this dynamic pair - the disappointments and the triumphs - and the events leading up to and following the skate that would define their careers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Nice story of the Olympic champions
How nice for these skaters to be remembered in print for something other than one tough moment in their otherwise stellar careers - the Salt Lake Olympic Judging debacle. Smith gives a warm, intimate account of Sale and Pelletier, from their early training to their close personal relationship and other athletic triumphs.Recommend for fans of this pair, figure skating, and anyone who wants to learn more about this charming twosome and their REAL story....not just one moment.

2 Thumbs Up!!
This book has some great color photos of Jamie Salé and David Pelletier.It also has good detail on how they each got into the sport of figure skating.There were a couple problems that I had with the book:

1. The other did not write original captions for the pictures.They are exerps from the text.

2. The author wrote that Salé and Pelletier received scores of 5.7's and 5.8's from the judges for their long program.They actually received 5.8's and 5.9's.

The Brightest and the Best
What a Love Story!Anyone who watched the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City couln't help but feel for this young couple who skated their hearts out only to have their Olympic gold snatched from them by judges with their own political agenda.We will always remember their tears of sadness, then their tears of happiness when it was decided they did deserve a gold medal around their necks!The fact that they are a couple in real life made the story even more sweet.This book, while short on words, is not short on pictures which makes it well worth the money.These are two young people who definately have their hearts in the right place and they deserve every good thing that comes their way! ... Read more

Product Description
Souvenir program features: Richard Dwyer, Susan Berens, Dick Cooper, Rik McKinnon, Gene Floyd, Joe Neiderkorn, Karen Kresge, Trudy and Judy Casey, Dave and Kelly Coleman, Cathy Brownlee, Bill Jack, Colin Beatty, Bob Leduc, Bill Thomas, Marianne Helmers, Ricky Inglesi, Lucien and Rika Boyer, Anne Russel, Mr. Frick (Werner Groebli), Donald Jackson, Ken and Paulette Ormsby, Gary Johnson, Patty Cunningham, The Ice Folliettes, Connie McKinnon, Vic and Joe Harvard, Pat Floyd, Rita Dunlap, and Carol Cooper. With a special flyer advertising special guest star Peggy Fleming. Illustrated with color photographs. Advertisements for United Air lines, Skippy Peanut Butter, and Shinola Shoe Polish. ... Read more

Book Description
WHAT MAKES AN ATHLETE REACH BEYOND PAIN AND HEARTACHE FOR A SPORT?WHAT PRICE WILL HE PAY TO PURSUE DESTINY?GOLD! THE TODD ELDREDGE STORY IS THE EXCITING BIOGRAPHY OF CHAMPION SKATER TODD ELDREDGE, WHOSE DEDICATION THROUGH TRIUMPHS AND SORROWS WILL INSPIRE READERS TO NEVER GIVE UP ON A DREAM. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

todd is gold
MY SON HAD TO READ A BOOK ABOUT A MALE SPORTS STAR THAT HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT, WELL IT TOOK AWHILE TO FIND A MALE ATHLETE BUT MY SON LOVED THIS MOVING BOOK AND FOUND IT TO BE VERY INSPIRATIONAL AS WELL. ... Read more

Book Description

The ponies are having an ice-skating party, and each pony plans to share a special skating trick. But Pinkie Pie doesn't even know how to skate! Will she be able to learn in time for the party?

Customer Reviews (10)

Great autobio of a great champion
Fans of Rudy Galindo and figure skating will enjoy this frank autobiography that leaves out nothing and gives a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the fast-paced and sometimes heartless world of international skating. Rudy's working class family made major sacrifices to keep him in the sport, and the reader can't help but be moved. USFSA politics is exposed for what it is - they can and will scuttle a skater's career if s/he doesn't fit their "image" - and you'll shake your head yet again over the strange world of judging. Rudy tells it all, and the good news is that his career is far from over. Sequel, anyone?

Makes You Feel What He Is Feeling
Rudy Galindo's autobiography ICEBREAKER is wonderful. Rudy's honest and vivid descriptions of his feelings make the reader cry and cheer right along with him. This book is an inspiration to anyone who feels that he/sheis different. It is such an example of how anyone can reach his/her goalagainst all odds if they will work hard enough and never, never give up.Rudy Galindo is a true champion in every way -- not just on the ice -- andthis book shows that beautifully.

Here's one bio that's never on thin ice
I liked Galindo's sweetly naive depiction of himself as the "All-American kid," even if he does flirt with denial at times.After all, he grew up border-poor in a dysfunctional family with aself-destructive gay older brother (who was a terrible role model for gayRudy), and Latino when that was still a social burden.

But"Icebreaker" is very much a story of hard-won triumph, and Ireally got the sense that Rudy's positive attitude got him over the hurdlesand into the stardom he so richly deserves.(That, and loads of nativetalent:he was quite recently the best amateur male figure skater in theUSA, no. 3 in the world.)

Rudy is a professional skater now, and he hassome pointed opinions in this book about the perils of excessive juvenileskating competition for those who are willing to listen.Skatingenthusiasts will enjoy the extensive technical vocabulary in this book; Ijust held on and enjoyed the ride.A very good read about a very admirableyoung man who is a role model in several different ways.

Greg was better.
Something about this book just isn't very satisfying. When I saw the name Eric Marcus attatched to the book I was excited because I remembered that he helped Greg Louganis produce an excellent book. However, Rudy's bookleaves a lot to be desired. The sroty seemes to focus more on his skating.True, skating was a vital part of his life, but it seemes that's all thereis. This book would have been better if more time was spent on the eventsthat happened between competitions.

Rudy!Rudy!Rudy!
This warts-and-all autobiography traces figure-skater Galindo's life from early childhood to his turning pro.Not too long ago Rudy was the no. 1 male figure skater in the USA and no. 3 worldwide; the story of how hetriumphed over a dysfunctional, near-povery-level background is inspiringand uplifting.Although gay, Rudy perpetually casts himself as the"All-American" kid. Time and again the conservative skatingauthorities told him his costumes were a bit too flamboyant, his wrists tooslack to win the big-time points; to his credit Rudy ignored them and wonanyway.Though some may find it a bit too emotional,"Icebreaker" is a winner, and anyone who still thinks gays lackgrit would do well to check it out. ... Read more

Book Description
"Nice Skates," an ice arena on the very edge of the Pacific Ocean, was holding the Pacific Coast Championships in December, 1994. It was the qualifying competition for the 1995 Nationals. Many great skaters were in attendance, as well as some very important judges. One was from the Nice Skates' home town of Portugal, California, Judge Melissa Elizabeth Nottingham.

Then, just minutes before the start of the final round of judging for the Senior Ladies competition, Judge Nottingham is found dead in the pros' room sitting by the fireplace in a Queen Anne chair.

It's the last night of competition with a rink jam-packed with 5,000 spectators, parents, coaches and competitors (many of whom did not like Melissa Elizabeth). The final event is ready to start, and Berrien has a murdered "Judge" on her hands.

Berrien is a skating coach as well as the co-owner of the ice arena. She found the body—the second at the rink in less than two years—and becomes involved, once again, with the county sheriff deputies including tall, handsome and short-tempered Sean Mather.

Skating episodes and an intriguing murder investigation crown this new addition to the Nice Skates Ice Skating Mystery Series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An ice skating judge gets murdered.
"Judge Me Nottingham" is the story of an international ice-skating judge who was found murdered in the pro's room just prior to the start of the last qualifying event for the 1995 U.S. Nationals. And based on what the TV public has seen in the "Competitors Scores" over the years, my opinion is that one could easily deduce that many of the skaters might dream of such an event. And the "Scoring" at the last Olympics adds more to the book's intrigue.

This book nicely follows Book 1, "Nice Shows" and continues with the adventures of Berrien Gamble, ice skating coach, ice show producer and co-owner of the "Nice Skates Ice Arena." Again, Berrien and her faithful dog "Kristi" are heavily involved in another murder investigation. I'm not surprised because of Berrien's investigative nature.

This book is a great follow-up to "Nice Shows." Please note: this reviewer believes that the series title change is appropriate, as "Nice Skates Ice Arena" is the place where the "Murders" occur and Berrien is again the adventurous amateur sleuth.

I recommend this book very highly. ... Read more