Customer Reviews

Talking Figure Skating: Behind the Scenes in the World's Most Glamorous Sport

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as it covered topics, such as boot making and choreography, that are not often discussed in books about skating. However, its author, a Canadian, seems to have focused predominantly on the Canadian world of figure skating by frequently mentioning Canadian skaters, judges, choreographers, and coaches. It would have been nice to have had a greater "world" view of the topics discussed in the book.

...but I did buy the first printing and have now re-read it about 3 or 4 times. I totally agree with all the reviewers here in that it is truly an unbiased and very un-sensationalized look into the world of figure skating. I especially loved the chapter that talked to several members of the judging community. If you are a fan of the sport or participate in the sport -- RUN, don't walk, to your computer and order this book ASAP. You will not be disappointed.

I wholeheartedly recommend Beverley Smith's "Talking Figure Skating." Smith goes behind the scenes, yet refrains from the bias and controversy that has surrounded Christine Brennan, author of "Inside Edge" and "Edge of Glory."

Beverley Smith clearly has a respect for figure skating and a love for the sport. This third book of hers is much more factually accurate than the first two and triply as interesting. It doesn't have pretty pictures like "Figure Skating: A Celebration" or "Talking Figure Skating," but the in-depth profiles are captivating to read.

If you only buy one figure skating book this year, make this it! I guarantee you won't be able to put it down!

This book covers a variety of topics including the sacrifices made for the skating child or children in the family, the importance of the proper fit in boots and the proper setting of the blades to the skaters, what a judge goes through to become a judge, what it is like to skate in an ice show and much more. I found this book so fascinating that I didn't want to put it down. This is a must have book for the library of all figure skating fans.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Smith's lavishly photographed efforts, Figure Skating: A Celebration and A Year in Figure Skating, I must admit however, that I was bracing myself for the worst when her latest title caught my eye. Unlike other recent skating books of a similar format, I am relieved to announce this is was not the scandalous expose on backstabbing rivalries, fiercely-driven stage parents, abusive coaches and skaters' eating disorders the title seemed to imply. Instead, Smith's book details that while we might only see a single skater or a pair out on the ice, it has taken a team effort to get them there. Chapters are divided up into subjects like the selfless parents' unyielding determination to see their child's dream realised, coaches and their training methods, choreographers and their unique philosophies, the key importance of music, boot makers, etc. But there is also the side rarely touched upon, equally fascinating to absorb. Skaters who tour with Disney and other ice shows. Characters like Gary Beacom, Jamie Eggelton. Svengalies such as Peter Opergard, and not forgetting the devoted fans as well. It made a different read, because Smith, with her easygoing style delivers a book free from the high drama of other recent skating books And through her, you come to appreciate that it is not fame and fortune that drives many of these skaters, but the passion to skate and the processes involved. For people like me interested in what goes on off the ice as well as on, you won't be disappointed.

This book, unlike Tara Lipinski's and Michelle Kwan's autobiographies went behind just two or three skaters. This
showed the competition going into the 1998 olympics. The book
gave it's perdictions, and wasn't byist at all. This book also went behond what the skaters do on the ice.
This really gave insiders report. It was almost like reading a "People" magizine report--- it gave all
the details on all the skaters. I defainitly reccomend reading this book.