Customer Reviews

Secrets of Skating

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Who can fail but sympathize with Ms. Baiul, an anomaly in this glittering sport of young women who usually have it all - looks, money, and loving families. That Oksana managed to achieve greatness with none of the above says it all about her talent. Oksana's fans won't be disappointed.

I do not like biographies, yet this book was able to keep my attention. Oksana discusses her life as it relates to various parts of ice skating. The only drawback is that you do not learn about the everyday Oksana. You do not learn about any of her other interests (sports done in her training routine do not necessarily count as "fun, relaxing hobbies"), her favorite foods, favorite types of music, or her feelings about having a family or dating.
I love the numerous ways that she compares and contrasts ballet and ice skating without making either activity seem inferior or superior to the other.
She appears to be an emotional person and the writing style is just as emotional - written in typeset, cursive, straight lines, circles, and various colors. The photographs are taken from very interesting perspectives, and do make sure that you see the photo of the man doing a headstand without the use of his hands! She did a very interesting job of combining a book about the factual aspects of figure skating with the story of her life - she even explains how to do basic jumps and spins. Many ice skating books explain figure skating for beginners, but this book is a great starter for those considering a professional career on the ice.

I managed to get an autographed copy of this book last year, and I have to say the photos and illustrations in this book are fabulous, although some more text would have been nice. Oksana takes the "reader" into the backstage world of ice shows, competitions, shows how a costume is made, and even has pictures of herself as a child....but she has such an interesting/inspirational life story something more along the lines of a biography would have been more interesting. All in all, it's a very attractive book and I give it a solid 7.

I loved the pictures. I loved the explanations on how to do jumps & spins. But being an adult figure skater, it's hard to find books on skating at an adult level that are interesting. I thought it was okay but it read more for someone younger.

If you like photographs of skaters and skating, then this is your kind of book. If you want to read about the sport then this isn't the book for you. I got the feeling that the writers of this book got so caught up in trying to be "hip" that the text and the point of this book was sadly forgotten.

I got this book for Christmas, and was completley dissapointed. It isn't really a book becuase there is barely any writing. The pictures are great, but the writing is nothing. There is nothing in the way of content. And the tiny words are a pain and it is just not worth the money. If you only want pics of Oksana then it's great, but if you want something to read to actually learn about figure skating then get Boitano's Edge.

I sprinted to the bookstore the day this book was released and snatched up the last copy. And, by and large, I wasn't at all disappointed. It's beautifully done, with style and originality. Tons of great pictures of Oksana, and she writes in a pleasant, simple manner. But I get the feeling that she just wasn't ready to truly share herself at the time, which makes sense, considering when she wrote it. The only other problem is that in light of the changes in her life since this book was done, it seems to focus on a very short period of time in Oksana's life. Nonetheless, Oksana is a remarkable, beautiful, incredibly talented young woman, and I wish her all the best in the world. I have a feeling that if things continue as they are now, the next book she does, if she does one, will be a lot more intimate.

I would have liked more indepth coverage of her life, but I don't think she was ready to share it at the time she wrote the book. Hopefully, her next book will have more details of how she is now handling her sobriety and how she still went on when she lost most all of her loved ones. She is very talented and has a dynomite smile and fantastic laugh. Like Scott Hamilton said aabout her once, "she doesn't even have to leave the ice (jumps) and the audience will still love her." I personally think of her as my fifth child.

This book is fulled with beautiful photos and tips

Oksana has a secret that she will keep because her secret is her. She is an actress who makes a song reality in through her own visions. She's a dancer who captivates. There has been no one else to impress the world of ice skating before or after Oksana. She will leave a strike on the ice for a lifetime. This book is Oksana's words and is a an item of figure skating history, but Oksana is still the real treasure. We have all been blessed to have been able to experience the way Oksana peforms through her vulnerable spirit.