Product Description
Meet sixteen amazing figure skaters battling the odds every day. No physical limitations or personal challenges will keep them from the sport they love. Join these special young women on ice as they lace up their skates and celebrate life to the fullest. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Courageous Women Who Refuse Defeat in Mind and Body
Skating Forward is not only a delight to read; it is also an uplifting and inspirational book as well. Author Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz has collected tales from sixteen amazing young women who used their electrifying feats on ice to overcome great physical and psychological setbacks. Their courage to persevere through personal tragedies will inspire readers to do likewise.

There is sixteen-year-old Molly who knows her father has Muscular Dystrophy. Molly has a 50/50 chance of developing this disorder in late adolescence and adulthood. MD results in a degeneration of the muscles in the lower arms and legs, and the muscles of the neck and diaphragm.

After visits to orthopedists and podiatrists resulting in months of frustration, Amanda White finally receives a diagnosis for the crippling pains in her wrists, knees, and feet. She must battle rheumatoid arthritis.

Shae Andrews is a teen in love with skating. She would like to be in the Olympics before going on to study mechanical engineering. But Shae is deaf. Choreographed movements on ice to music looms as a mountainous obstacle facing her.

Twenty-year-old Heather Johnson is a true advocate for people with disabilities. Heather has had unpredictable epileptic seizures ever since the sixth grade. Her doctor tells her she must not skate without a helmet. How can she enter competition?

Because her brother Alex has autism, fifteen-year-old Belle Junge puts on her first pair of ice skates so she can interact with him. Belle feels that because her brother is unusual she must do her best to help him advocate for himself.

Devastated by the death of a beloved social studies teacher, Teri Harte wants to use her dexterity on ice to help memorialize her former teacher friend. Both had shared a love for teddy bears.

Carolyn Bongirno skates at a local Florida rink. Carolyn and her husband want to use fertility drugs to help her become pregnant. A complete physical shows a tumor in her breast. In addition, cancer has spread to Carolyn's lymphatic system.

After losing fifteen pounds in one week while drinking volumes of water and trying to eat, skater Courtney Ann Caldwell is on a collision course with death. After several misdiagnoses, eventually, doctors uncover her problem. Courtney has Type-1 Diabetes.

Skating Forward reveals that Although Laura Whitney never remembered a tick bite, nevertheless her eventual diagnosis shows dreaded Lyme disease. In addition to severe headaches, this bacterial infection affects her cognitive ability.

Eighteen-year-old Kara Mietlicki is diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma--a pernicious form of cancer. Faced with surgery and ongoing chemotherapy, Kara wants to keep skating like Scott Hamilton, while undergoing cancer treatment.

At a skating rink on Coney Island, Tatyana first puts on ice skates purchased by her father. She was five-years-old then. Now, years later, her loving father is in the final stages of kidney failure. "He can no longer hear me talking to him." Tatyana is overcome with deep sorrow.

Allegedly suffering from asthma, Victoria Hecht's coach recommends a physical to determine if she has the stamina for figure skating. A thorough physical work-up shows Victoria has two congenital heart defects, not asthma.

Erica Archambault overcomes many physical problems and illnesses including meningitis but continues to skate. None of these hardships are as devastating to Erica as when her father leaves their Colorado home and refuses to return.

Skater Kylie Gleason visits an orphanage while in Romania. There, a profoundly saddened young child deeply affects her. Now she wonders whether skating should always be the main part of her life.

Because ice dancer Emily Samuelson falls during a dance routine, in order to avoid slashing her head, her partner must land heavily on Emily's hand. The accident requires surgery to repair a severed tendon in Emily's middle finger.

Fourteen-year-old Eliana Roth suffers from Tourette Syndrome except when ice skating. Tourette's causes embarrassing involuntary body movements, throat sounds, and even the unintentional use of obscene words or gestures.

All of these courageous young women you will meet in Skating Forward. There are many books on the market about persons who must deal with staggering life problems. But this book is unique because ALL of the women described are skating heroines who face situations which could easily crush most of us.

For sure, this is not a woman's book; nor is it just a series of memoirs about ice skating. Skating Forward will leave all readers--female and male--in awe because it is one single tale of the stubbornness and flexibility of the human spirit. It will help people that are seeking a beam of light at the end of what could be a darkened tunnel of deep despair.

Author Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz's book would be a fascinating read for high school and college students to study and discuss--particularly youth who feel life has treated them unjustly. The women in Skating Forward amend their lives and their spirits against all odds. You will not forget them.

Other Interesting Books:
The Figure Skating Book: A Young Persons' Guide to Figure Skating (Young Performer's Guide)
You Know When
Wicked Intentions: The Sheila LaBarre Murders - A True Story
The Oculi Incident
Saving Ben: A Father's Story of Autism (Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Series)
The Island Off Stony Point



... Read more

Product Description
Here is a complete, fully illustrated guide to figure skating for all ages.

Two former competitive-skaters-turned-teachers team up with one mental training coach to provide friendly, klutz-proof instruction for the beginner and beyond, including:

* Sections on how to stop and how to fall* Basic maneuver* Beginning freestyle* Clothing and equipment* Finding a coach* Competition and testing* Ice dance* Precision team skating* Compulsory figures* Mental preparation (for all levels)* And much more!

Also included is a chapter dedicated to figure skating as a spectator sport. The Essential Figure Skater is an indispensable handbook that will have even first-time skaters up on their feet and circling the ice in no time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great overall skating book!!!
This is such a good book!! I have read it countless times and I still get information out of it. It goes over jumps, turns, spins, competing, mental preparation, physical preperation, choosing a coach, buying equipment, and more! No, I wasn't hired by Patti Tashman (the author) to promote her book, I just like it a lot.

AN EXCELLENT COMPILATION OF SKATING KNOWLEDGE!!
"The Essential Figure Skater" is the perfect book for the novice or more advanced skater. Covering everything from equipment, to choosing a learn to skate program, to competitions. As a parent of a Free Style Skater,I can recomend this book to anyone considering becoming involved with figure skating. I wish I had this book when my daughter begain skating, it would have saved me alot of frustration! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not What I Expected
This book was not quite what I expected.My daughter is still a beginning skater (Freestyle 1), yet after paging through it, I found 3/4 of the book to be irrelevant to her level.The small portion of the book that would be helpful to her begins on page 161.I would only recommend this book for parents/children who are thinking about beginning skating, or have just begun to take group lessons.

Excellent Book
I got this book for my daughter and myself.We are both beginner skaters, my daughter has just turned 7.I found this book to be extremely helpful for the beginner.I found some very good advise on warm up exercises as well as what to look for in skates and correct body positions on skates.It is very easy to read and understand, although I have done the reading.I am sure we will both benefit from the information.There is also information for the intermediate level and advance level skater which I am sure we will benefit from once we get to that level.I highly reccommend this book.

Great book for kids
This book is fantastic for KIDS,but as a skating PARENT, I preferred FS for Dummies.

A classic; a fountain of practical and interesting info
Every skating parent should buy this book - even before you buy skates. You will refer to it again and again, as will the developing skater of any age. Rikki Samuels is a fountain of useful information, and she has written it down to make a book we have needed for a long time. There is helpful advice for every sapect of skating, from how to lace your boots to how to choose a coach and beyond. I have seen my skating friends young and old devouring it like a rich (organic!) chocolate cake. :) ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

Love it!
My daughter loves this. We have used it for many years for activities for younger skaters at club events. We leave one for the runners to color in at competitions during their "downtime." Fun for any figure skater!

Great introduction for budding figure skater
I originally purchased this coloring book to find a simple design for the front of a skating sweater. Gave the book along with the sweater, and the four-year-old recipient is enjoying them both.

Review of coloring book
This is a very good coloring book for a young girl of 10 years old.

Wonderful Coloring Book
I think just about any age child would enjoy and find it easy to color these well drawn, large illustrations of skaters.

Lots of action poses and pretty costumes add to the interest.

Each page features a large line drawing of a skater, or sometimes a skating pair, performing on the ice.No backgrounds, and a brief sentence about what is going on in the picture.

Good coloring book for skating kids
This book is filled with wonderful black and white lined pages of different types of skaters. The pictures take up the page and have a small infomation paragraph at the bottom of each page, explaining the drawing. Good coloring space and thick paper. ... Read more

Product Description

A fan's book on international skating stars -- today's best and tomorrow's brightest

Figure skating has burst back onto the international sports scene, following a series of unfortunate judging controversies. There is a fresh crop of skaters who are jumping higher, skating faster and pushing artistic and technical boundaries like never before. The figure skating revolution includes new rules plus new countries in competition, and sees women once again landing the triple axel. The budding rivalries in both the men's and women's competitions have rejuvenated this riveting sport that commands prime time television for months.

Figure Skating Today showcases the skaters during the events of the 2006-07 season, including the Grand Prix Finals, the Europeans and the Four Continents, and the 2007 World Championships in Tokyo.

An exciting look at the current crop of today's top international champs and those on the road to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Figure Skating Today covers such international stars as:

• Kimmie Meissner
• Mao Asada
• Jeffrey Buttle
• Stéphane Lambiel
• Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison.

With its action photos, behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating statistics, Figure Skating Today is a book for every skating fan.

Customer Reviews (2)

NICE PHOTOS FOR A COFFEE TABLE PICTURE BOOK
THIS BOOK ARRIVED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, HOWEVER, THERE IS LIMITED CONTENT. PHOTOS ARE NICE, BUT NOT ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN CAN BE SEEN IN THE SKATING MAGAZINES. THE SELECTION OF FUTURE SKATING "STARS" FEATURED IS A RATHER ONE-SIDED VIEW.

A beautiful snapshot
I wish their was a classy revue like this one of Figure Skating stars available at the end of each season.This is an interesting and very beautifully photographed snapshot in time at the end of the 06/07 season.It is interesting to note who has evolved and become the current favorites since this book was published.Especially, Yuna Kim who has gone on to hold most of the important titles and records in the women's division.She has demonstrated a level of technique and artistry that would put her on the cover of any new edition as we cruise into the 2010 Olympic season. ... Read more

Product Description
Gain the inside edge on winning competitive events! In Artistry on Ice: Figure Skating Skills and Style, former Olympic silver medalist Nancy Kerrigan shares the knowledge she has gained from years of performing at the highest levels of the sport.

Artistry on Ice: Figure Skating Skills and Style gives you an in-depth look at advanced techniques for jumps, spins, and freestyle moves in addition to body alignment and refining footwork, music, and expression. It shows you what it takes to excel from the perspective of one of figure skating’s champions.

Four chapters are devoted solely to competition, covering the music, choreography, costumes, and other elements to create the ultimate performance. Also included are renowned trainer Igor Burdenko’s insights on physical preparation for powerful and fluid skating.

From triumphs over personal tragedy to her superb performance under pressure in the 2000 Goodwill Games, Kerrigan prevailed against many challenges during her 20-year career. Now she teams with former competitive figure skater and professional instructor Mary Spencer to share the insight that will take your skating to the top. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Resource for Skaters!
Nancy Kerrigan, two-time Olympic medalist, has written a book for skaters full of tips and advice that she has learned and used during her years as a Senior skater. Nancy states in the introduction, "Artistry on Ice is not focused on the early fundamentals...[it] is intended for intermediate to advanced skaters...and includes tips for sharpening their competitive skills". However, even beginners will benefit from the many tips and land and water excercises featured in the book to develop strength for skating. This book features clear instructions and full-color photographs covering nearly every aspect of intermediate and advanced skating, including all kinds of jumps, spins, essential skills like spread eagles and spirals, competition, partner skating, off-ice training, and more. Also, you will find thousands of hints and tips for performing various skating movements that have worked for Kerrigan herself. Plus, a whole section of the book is devoted to competition, covering cosutmes, music, choreography, and bringing it all together. This book is full of practical advice and will help all skaters reach for that shining star!

Insightful Guide for Figure Skaters
This book is full of useful tips for beginner and intermediate skaters. I found it to be clear and concise. The photographs illustrated specific moves well. I have been figure skating since I was a tot and am now an adult -- this book helped to clarify specific techniques which had previously been elusive. I found the chapters on other forms of skating very interesting as well. ... Read more

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Product Description
Sketches the history of ice skating from its beginning as a means of travel to its current status as a sport; discusses the contributions of Sonja Henie and other Olympic stars. ... Read more

Product Description

The budding Elvis Stojko or Josee Choinard in your family will love this guide with diagrams and instruction on jumps, steps and other recommendations.

Figure Skating School is for people of all ages and abilities. Whatever your level of fitness and sporting ability, you can make great progress with this practical guide. A systematic course of instruction, it guides you from basic steps--skating forwards and backwards -- through the most advanced techniques such as double flip and triple Salchow.

Written by two professional instructors, the clear text is complemented by over 30 full-color figure illustrations. Diagrams showing correct positioning of the feet accompany each illustration, making sure you don't put the wrong foot forward.

Also includes:

• History of Figure Skating
• Guidance on clothing and equipment
• General principles of good skating
• Sections on pairs skating and ice dance

Stunning photographs of today's skating stars complete a figure skating treat for anyone interested in the sport.

Customer Reviews (10)

good book
My book was in a good condition. And is just exactly what i was looking for. thanx!

from one of the best
i think the book is great and i have been awarded several medals and trophies in skating. it has a good technique for beginingto professional. the best of the best!!!!!!

I wish there is a two-and-a-half star rating
Like my title says, I wish there is a two and a half star rating. I have read better skating books than this one, such as " Figure Skating For Dummies" and "The Essential Figure Skater". This book is too vague in some parts of the book and too much information in the other parts. Not a very good guide to figure skating. The beautiful pictures of famous figure skaters are the best parts of this book.

To much covered not enough info!
This book is only 128pgs and covered to much with to little info. With everything covered this book needed to be at least 300pgs. Over all worth reading.

Excellent book for illustrating skating moves!
This book provides step by step illustrations of a range of skating moves from beginners to advance. The placement of the foot patterns is easy to see with arrows to show direction. As a level one freestyle figure skater, I find that the book is missing directions on beginning movements, warmups, and preparation for jumps and spins.Advanced skaters find this book extremely helpful in learning to perform double and triple rotations in jumps and various spins. Written instructions are provided to assist skaters at all levels. ... Read more

Product Description

This large format, full-color photo essay is the ultimate skating book for fans ages 8 and up.In an accessable and conversational tone Brian Boitano reveals what it is like to move up through the sport and compete at an international level.Brian Boitano's personal stories and anecdotes as well as his lively personal commentary illuminate the sport for young readers and skating fans of all ages.Here's everything you'll ever want to know about figure skating -- with Brian Boitano serving as the expert host.Amazon.com Review
Brian Boitano was a "daredevil roller skater" in Sunnyvale, California, before his mother took him to an ice show at age 8. After that he laced up figure skates instead, and as any of the sport's growing legion of fans know, his dream to win an Olympic medal came true in Calgary in 1988. Boitano's Edge is an insider's look at competitive figure skating. Filled with photographs and reminiscences spanning the gold-medalist's career, it also includes a glossary of skating terms; information on training, choreography, and the judging process; and even a program diagram. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Great look inside the sport from one of its legends
Brian Boitano pushed himself AND his chief competitor, Brian Orser, in his quest for Olympic gold, and in doing so, both of them elevated the level of the entire sport.

Brian gives us a look back at his Olympic triumph and a valuable insider's perspective on the politics of figure skating as well as its technical aspects.

Skaters, skating fans, and anyone interested in this sport will be entertained by Boitano's book. A nice retrospective of this champion's career as well

Brian Boitnano's book on skating
A nicely written book, describing his experiences learning his craft, as well as good insight into the sport.It would beimproved if there were more pictures of the skaters setting up and completeing their moves.Recommended reading for young skaters, as well as their parents.

Boitano Tells it Like it Is!
Brian Boitano has always been my favorite figure skater.When I heard that he had written a book, I quickly rushed to get it.I am so glad that I took the time to read this book because it is a masterpiece.
He begins his book with a forward written by Peggy Fleming and then goes on to tell what it was like being at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada, in 1988.That was the year Brian Boitano would come home with an Olympic Gold Medalist around his neck.Brian has dedicated pages to skating terms, slang, and how to judge a skating performance.He also talks about costumes, choreography, and on most pages of his book he has a first in skating history (first person to skate to music, for example).Katarina Witt also takes the time to add to Boitano's book."A Tour Scrapbook" is towards the back with pictures from some of the shows Brian has been in.The back of his book contains the past Olympic and World Champions since the competitions began.In short, "Boitano's Edge" is THE book for the skating fan in your family.

I don't really know
I am a big Brian Boitano fan.I took this book out of the library hoping for a little more on his personal life.I wasn't too disappointed, but I would prefer if he had mentioned more about his family.There was a lot about his skating in it, though, which is what I love about him.He talks a lot about Calgary, which can get annoying because it happened almost 13 years ago!Don't get me wrong--I loved reading about it, but I've already read a lot about it.My favorite part was the tour scrapbook.That was neat to see.I also liked very much that people wrote their own commentary on Brian and about different things.You can read this book for an enjoyable read, but don't expect too much on skating.

My students love this book!
I teach 4th grade, and this book is in my classroom library.My students love this book as it gives them an insight into this sport.The negative reviews about this book totally shocked me, but then I realized that theywere just thinly disguised opportunities for those "reviewers" totake a swipe at Brian Boitano and nothing more.This book was not meant tobe a "tell-all".Its main focus group was children, but it's alovely book for all ages--provided you're not looking for "dirt". What I have gotten out of this book is that Brian Boitano is a dear youngman of integrity, honesty and morals who loves to skate more than anythingelse in the world.He is the epitome of what a role model should be.Thesporting world needs more people like him. ... Read more

Product Description
This entertaining series features fascinating quick-reference guides to all the Winter Olympic sports and events. Filled with fun facts, dramatic stories, and dynamic photographs, each book is a terrific guide to both historical and current records, as well as to the reigning Olympic champions. This wonderful book will explain how skaters train, and what they do to achieve their fantastic jumps and spins. It will show you what to look for in a performance and profile some of the many figure skaters who have become global celebrities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Service and Quality
I really appreciate the service and quality of the books received from you and the fast service. The 3 books purchased on Olympics was great especially for Elementary School. ... Read more

Product Description
In the spotlight: the all-new figure skating mystery series.From the author of Sarah Hughes: Skating to the Stars.

Figure skating is a cutthroat world. Just ask Rebecca "Bex" Levy, figure skating researcher for the 24/7 skating network-and Prime Crime's newest sleuth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Great start to the series
This is the first in the series of figure skating mysteries about TV researcher and sleuth Bex Levy. I'd already read the 3rd and 4th books.

It's the World Figure Skating Championship, and surprisingly, the Russian skater wins over the American favorite, with the Italian judge casting the deciding vote. Amid a huge controversy over bloc voting and accusations of bribery or coercion, the Italian judge is found dead. The police seem inclined to view it as an accident, but it seems too coincidental to ignore.

Bex has just gotten her job as figure skating researcher. Not only does she have to keep the on-air talent from screwing up (they're a former pairs skating team, who delight in goading each other), she's under the constant threat of losing her job (her boss's idea of motivation). So in desperation, Bex promises to deliver the real story in two days.

The Good:
The very realistic-feeling look inside the world of figure skating competitions, and our introduction to the slightly larger-than-life ongoing characters of Bex's boss Gil and the on-air commentators, the Howarths.

The Bad:
The slow accumulation of clues and following false leads was mildly frustrating, but it was also refreshingly realistic. I'd much rather read about a sleuth, particularly an amateur one, who makes mistakes than one who gets it all right from the beginning. And the reader's frustration evokes Bex's, which is good, too.

The Verdict:
Murder on Ice had been in my TBR pile for about a year. I'm hoping to unearth the 2nd book in the series before the 5th comes out.

Isn't a good skating book or a good mystery
I have a question for Alina Adams - why in the world would you set a series of books in a world for which you so clearly have zero respect?Alina Adams doesn't know figure skating any better than her heroine does.Which would be not at all.She may have worked as a researcher, but she clearly didn't learn much.The book is a string of cliche's about the world of skating, looking for a reality check.Certainly the cliche's exist, but according to Ms. Adams, the world of figure skating is no more complex than every cliche you have ever heard - every male figure skater is gay, every skating marriage is a lie and every skater is shallow and self-absorbed and every skating parent is a nightmare.How about some depth?

The book is not well written, nor does it seem to know who it's audience actually is.It is trite to the point that only a 12 year old could find it enjoyable, yet uses several vocabularly words that most adults wouldn't know.Bex isn't charming, she's annoying - and slow-witted, at best.And Ms. Adams for all her supposed knowledge about the world of skating -a world filled to the brim with Russians, makes a big point of explaining patronymics and then proceeds to get it wrong.The patronymic for Peter (or Pyotr) is Petrovich or Petrovna, NOT Petrov or Petrova (which happen to be surnames of two well known pairs skaters - Denis Petrov and Maria Petrova).If you are going to make a point of showing off how much you know, at least get it right.

As for the story - it's rather obvious, but I've read worse and more obvious plots, which is why it gets two stars, not one.Unless you are the kind of skating fan who thinks the entire sport is the cliche (and I have yet to meet a skating fan who does), don't bother.And unless you are a mystery fan who finds Nancy Drew much too complex and challenging, don't bother from that angle, either.

It's too bad, because skating fans are eager for well written books about their sport.Kudos to the publisher for taking a chance on a "skating novel" - it's too bad this one was so poorly executed.

The author may know skating, but not much else
I am a former figure skater and mystery lover, so when I discovered this series I was elated to bring my two interests together.I am very disappointed.To begin with this book is not well written.Books like this should be a fast, entertaining, easy read.I had to literally plow through the author's text.Then, the heroine - a TV researcher - found what she thought was a clue: a shorter than normal fax.Her conclusion was that it was European paper...when any good researcher, traveler or businessperson knows that A4 paper is longer than US paper, but slightly narrower.It is definitely not shorter.This was not a mention, which I could excuse, but for much of a book it was the only clue the character had.I lost faith.It is too bad the idea of the series is a great one with all the politics and drama that goes into skating, but this entry is definitely not a gold medal winner.

A great read
This book should please every fan of figure skating. Bex Levy, skating reasercher for TV broadcaster 24/7 uncovers a tricky murder mystery using her powers of conversational crime fighting and meeting everyone from skating mothers to perky teenagers to eccentric coaches and skating-struck middle aged men along the way. I definitely recommend this hilarious book.

Murder mystery with a figure skating twist
Murder on Ice by Alina Adams is a fabnlous book!It offers an accurate and humorous account of the figure skating world, with a storyline being a twist of the 2002 Olympics.
Bex Levy is a figure skating researcher.She works 20 hour days, and knows all the ins and outs of the figure skating world.When the Russian beats the American at the world championships, the blame is pinned on the Italian judge for not voting with the western block.When the Italian judge is found dead the next day, Bex is ordered by her boss the find the killer.
Murder on ice is a humerous, unique book that is recommended for figure skating fans of all ages, or for someone who just wants to read a great mystery. ... Read more

Product Description
Eileen Peerless Power Skating Method offers proven techniques from a power skating expert that will help hockey skaters of all ages, abilities, and levels to improve power, speed, and overall performance on the ice.Relying on her nearly three decades of experience teaching hundreds of hockey players, Eileen Peerless shares practical skills that can be used in real game situations. Peerless divides her guidebook into three sections-balance, stride, and agility. She provides a solid foundation of step-by-step methods, team and individual drills, and clear illustrations that will help any hockey player develop into an excellent skater. Skaters will learn how to:• improve balance by developing better edge control and skate placement;• implement a strong, powerful stride that uses the body for strength;• master agility and increase speed by turning and stopping properly.Knowing where the body belongs in every skating maneuver is critical to improving skating technique, speed, and balance. Eileen Peerless Power Skating Method provides the kind of methods that, with practice and dedication, will lead both beginning and advanced hockey athletes to achieve unlimited success on the ice. ... Read more

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Product Description
A biography of the young Japanese-American figure skater who won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics and has since become a professional skater. ... Read more

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Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen tells her story -- on and off the ice

Customer Reviews (18)

Absolute Fiction
My daughters idolize Sasha Cohen and their respect grew much greater when she worked so hard to compete at the 2010 Nationals. Win or lose, as competitive skaters, they know what it takes to put yourself out there but, before that, log in those hours at the gym and on the ice to get those programs together. So, I was a bit appalled when I started thumbing through the book and was so captivated by the fiction, that I couldn't put the book down. Sasha could not have skated Juvenile without an axel and combination jumps. She definitely could have not competed and placed without one as the rules of competition are significantly higher than the testing requirements. In fact, she couldn't have competed and placed at the very first level of skating, pre-preliminary, without ALL her single jumps, in combination and the axel. It is very sad to have my daughters read a book about their idol and learn that she allegedly skated juvenile and intermediate AND placed, without all her jumps.

Then, without this alleged technical basis and skill, she magically passed her intermediate moves and free skate test in order to be accepted by John Nicks. Again, an absolute impossibility and fiction under the rules of the U.S. Skating Federation since you cannot pass your free skate test without the axel and doubles, let alone be deemed competitive at a local competition since the competitive rules,again, require doubles and in combination with other doubles and singles! But, no one has to believe me. Just go to the USFSA website and take a look at the judge's forms and the requirements of the TEST listed for Juvenile and Intermediate free skating. Skating is just like ordinary school. If you don't know what is listed on the test, you do not pass. Period. The judges are pretty tough on the skaters and expect much excellence. You won't pass the tests without a high degree of skill and therefore, will be precluded from competing at that level which, always, to my chagrin, the competition elements are so much higher than the test elements at that level. They get reviewed every year but all the basic requirements pretty much remain the same.

[...]

a very engaging and novel approach into the life of Sasha's career
After reading this book, I was quite fondof this figure skater's dramaticand realistic approach toward her career, her struggles and her triumph on the ice.It chronicles the relationship she has with fellow skaters, her coaches and her inspiration, behind her passion.The book offers an inside look of Sasha's experience and of her transition from an unknown skater, to a highly respected figure skater. It includes her family's and fans support leading Sasha to become aworld champion in her own right, and as aunique individual.A very compelling autobiography of one girl's struggle to reach high for her dreams. I highly recommend that the book be read by those who are interested in figure skating and also to learn about these type of figure skaters. Also this book may include interviews.

greatness
good book, worth reading, very inspirational. Cohen is the champion we should all try to be.

Sasha Cohen: Fire on Paper
Sasha Cohen: Fire on Ice was a incredibly detailed story os Sasha's life. My hero is Sasha and I love to skate, so it allowed me to gain more knowledge. Sasha Cohen included beautiful pictures which really helped me to imagine what was going on more visually. The ending was very touching with how she see's skating. I enjoyed reading this story very much and just finished my third time reading it. Now I can't stop spitting out facts to my dad.

It's ok......
It's ok, but it didn't tell much information, and it doesn't tell much insight, basically what she won and lost....... ... Read more

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A former world champion provides advice on becoming a successful competitive figure and freestyle roller skater. ... Read more

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Turns and spirals, jumps and spins -- no other sport can match Figure Skating's combination of strength and elegance, power and grace. Whether it is your first time at the ice rink or you have graduated to the axel, salshow, and lutz, you will enjoy this fascinating look at one of the world's favourite Olympic events. Special features include: Profiles and action photographs of the top American skaters; Proficiency test requirements; Guide to competitive Figure Skating; Comprehensive list of US Figure Skating champions; Fitness, health and nutrition tips. ... Read more