Running Books

This story kept me in suspense to the end. The title is just right for the book. The culprit was very hard to determine. The love interest also helped make it fun to read.

Running Scared, by Cheryl Norman is simply the very best book I have ever read in my LONG life! It is well written, making it a joy to read. The story is unusual and exciting. The characters are so real, you love them - and dislike a few villians. You learn about cops and runners with twists and turns right up to the shocking end.
You're going to love this book!

I love romance, thrillers and suspense, and that's why I know a good suspense romance book when I read it. RUNNING SCARED by Cheryl Norman is such a book. The characters are so real you feel you could sit down and have a cup of coffee with them. Their motivation is totally believable, and the suspense is strong.

I recommend RUNNING SCARED to anyone who loves suspense and romance--this book has plenty! And to a couch potato like me, it even let me vicariously enjoy the benefits of running--about as close as I'm ever likely to come to a marathon. :)

After living for two years with a violent spouse who put her in the hospital, Ashley Adams is a free woman. Determined to become all she can be including recovering what she was before her marriage in hell, Ashley goes to therapy, learns self defense, and carries a gun; her vow is never again. Peter calls her all time alternating with pleading and cajoling for her to come home and cursing her out. She ignores both sides of the SOB.

Instead Ashley is preparing to run a marathon with her good friend and coach in DC, which will add to her self esteem. Early one morning, she and the coach are running when a car suddenly bears down on them; a gun shot is fired from the vehicle killing Paul Stratford, who was picking up a newspaper in front of his door. Homicide Detective Rick Edwards is uncertain who the intended victim was, but believe this was not random. Ashley ahs no doubt that her ex spouse Peter hired someone to kill her. The next day, Ashley runs again, but her coach suddenly collapses after drinking some water and is rushed to the hospital where he is diagnosed with turpentine poisoning that she knows Peter put in their water. Her house is broken into twice and someone shoots at her. Peter swears he is innocent; that someone else who drives a gold HHR is making him look like the suspect. Rick vows to protect the woman he loves though she doubts he will ever commit to a permanent relationship.

This is an exciting explosive suspense thriller that works on several levels. Ashley and Rick are a couple the audience hopes will make it as she helps him through his personal problems while also working on her own self worth. Readers will wonder if Peter hired a killer as the obvious scenario is that the abuser refuses to accept Ashley wants nothing to do with him. Cheryl Norman keeps fans off balance as other possibilities crop up. Mindful of Linda Howard's novels, RUNNING SCARED is a terrific thriller.

Harriet Klausner

McGarrah's first book is a fearless yet tender examination of survival in the modern age. A quiet thankfulness, heightened by a relentless questioning, courses through these poems and tempers any cause for bravado while the forces of luck and chance clash with the mysteries of love and faith. By exposing how impersonal politics have very real consequences on the individual, McGarrah has created a collection which not only illuminates times past, but is crucial to times present. This direct, accesible and honest work announces, finally, the arrival of a true American poet.

McGarrah's strong command of language combined with the raw energy of a life lived at the edge creates poems of brilliant intensity. He has the ability to merge beauty and brutality with stunning success. The emotions I felt from McGarrah's work stayed with me long after I closed the book. His work provides us with a modern-day hero whose truths resonate.

It is no wonder McGarrah opens this collection with the following lines from Komunyakaa's Thanks: Again, thanks for the dud / hand grenade tossed at my feet / outside Chu Lai. I'm still / falling through the silence. It is through this gratitude that we enter the poet's world. Running the Voodoo Down is a volume that recognizes the gift of its own existence. Chokingly beautiful, each poem breathes with the keen electricity and sensuality of a man determined to record every detail of a world he nearly lost.

Jim McGarrah's Running the Voodoo Down is the answer for those who ask the question, "What is modern poetry about?" More accurately stated, his poetry is the answer for the malaise in which too much modern poetry finds itself embedded. His poetry is not just fancy footwork written for a clique of fellow insiders who might "get it," as too much of what currently passes for poetry attempts to do. Running the Voodoo Down is timeless poetry that is carved from the soul of someone who has lived too much life, yet not enough. McGarrah's poems at once terrify us, force us to savor each second of life and stand up to our mortality. I read his book at dawn and by midnight that day I was still crying, laughing and shuddering at the emotions his work evoked in me. Weeks later I reread Voodoo and all of the poems hit me flush in the face as if I were reading them for the first time. Buy this book and beware: what you are about to read is the real deal, a collection of poetry that will make you be thankful there is at least one working poet who knows what he is doing.

I was recommended this book and I thought, "Great, ANOTHER running book. I hate books about running. They're all the same. Run more, eat better, try this, try that."
But I was about to drive down to Disney for a marathon, and thought at the very least I could flip through it in the car, and maybe get a couple one liners of inspiration.
Boy was I wrong.
I read the first half on the way down, and the second half on the way back.
If you can appreciate dry humor and benevolent sarcasm then this book is a real treat.
Scott Ludwig is that guy in line behind you at the supermarket, who strikes up a conversation, and just talks to you. He doesn't brag, he doesn't preach, he doesn't coach, he doesn't teach. He just talks. In this case he was talking to me.
Everything everyone has said is true. Take it to heart. This man is an incredible runner, a humorous writer, and an interesting story teller.
Treat yourself, and let him talk to you.

I have read a hundred-and-umpty-ump-point-two books about Running, and this is THE BEST! It is Inspirational, Entertaining, Informative, Inspirational, (had I said that yet!?), Humorous, Fascinating, and Inspirational! I would recommend it to anyone who runs, or is thinking about starting running, or can spell the word "RUN"!

Many years ago, Scott set three distinct running goals for himself: run 100 marathons; run 1000 races; and run 100,000 miles. As of the fall of 2007, Scott had completed 136 marathons, 686 races, and 110,000+ miles. "Two outta three ain't bad." Especially considering it's only a matter of time until he completes 1000 races.

But there's more to it than just the statistics above. Scott has also completed the Western States 100 Miler (after two attempts), and even more impressive, he completed the granddaddy ultramarathon of them all, the 135 mile Badwater Ultramarathon from Death Valley to Mount Whitney (held annually in July, no less!). He has extended his running streak to over 29 years running consecutively every day for over 10,000 days. In 2001 he founded the Darkside Running Club dedicated to ultramarathon runners and began publishing their newsletter, "Tales from the Darkside," the following year. In 2002 the club hosted its first annual Peachtree City 50K, an ongoing certified ultramarathon.

Oh, yeah, in between all that running, he also found time to write and publish a book. All this and much, much more is covered in his tome entitled, Running Through My Mind: Confessions of an Every Day Runner. From the mundane to the outrageous, Scott covers in detail how he got started in running after some false starts at other sports through his current status as one of the best known ultramarathoners in the U.S. Injected with a lethal dose of humor owing to his wry outlook on life, Scott does his literary hero and role model, Lewis Grizzard, proud. Scott includes his whole family in on the act so to speak, including his dog Magic, as each one gets to comment on the influence Scott's running has had on their lives and vice versa.

Fellow runners, Darkside club members, other ultramarathoners, and many others all contribute to make Scott's book a truly diverse journey through the trials and tribulations, achievements and disappointments, and flat out hilarious events encountered during his 30 year running career. So what does Scott have in mind for the next 30 years of running?? You'll just have to buy the book to find out.

April 17th, 1978 was a very special day for me. I still remember it as though it were yesterday. My heart was bursting with pride as I crossed the finish line of my first Boston Marathon! I was on top of the world!

Little did I know that, on that day, there was a guy living in Gainesville, Florida with a 38" waist and weighing 194lbs who would eventually become one of my best friends and would finish ahead of me in every one of the 100 plus races that we have run together over the years! That person, of course, is Scott Ludwig. The unbelievable story of his 30 year running life is the subject of this book.

Scott has two gifts. One is a perseverance that has enabled him to run every single day for almost 30 years, and the other is an amazing talent for writing. His "Lewis Grizzard" style makes for a wonderful read that is hard to put down. Some of his stories will bring tears to your eyes and some will make you fall out of your chair with laughter. And the scary thing is- they're all true!

-Al Barker

This is an excellent treatment of the ecology, behavior and endangered status of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus). For the past several years, the authors have studied African wild dogs in one of their last remaining strongholds, the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

The well-written text and superb photography provide important insight into the natural history and the current plight of African wild dogs. This species has been maligned and persecuted by humans, partly because of unfortunate myths about them. The authors address and dispel these myths, they examine the causes of the drastic decline in African wild dog numbers, and they discuss possible approaches to save this endangered species.

A terrific book for all types of nature-loving readers. If you like pictures, they're here. If you want the best information available about African Wild Dogs and efforts to save them, it's definitely here. All people who are fascinated by wild animals will find this book to be a treasure. The photography is beautiful...It's the next best thing to being there. Leave this book on your coffee table and I guarantee that every guest will pick it up.

These animals truly are in trouble. McNutt does a good job explaining exactly why these dogs are endangered (or should be classified as such).

Like most books published under Smithsonian, this one is a keeper.

Are you fascinated by wolves? Do you dream of going on safari in Africa? If you answer yes to either question then this book will be of interest to you.

I had the good luck to see a pack of 10 wild dogs while on safari in Botswana in September of 1998. Being a wolf enthusiast, I was very interested in the similarities and differences between the American grey wolf and the African wild dog. This book was in the library of each safari camp I stayed in so I had the pleasure of studying about the wild dogs while in their native habitat. As you'll learn from this book, wild dogs are extremely social, even more so than grey wolves, and very efficient, successful predators.

The photographs in this book are fantastic and the text is well written, well organized, and aimed at the general public rather than the scientific community.

The author continues his African wild dog research in Botswana. The fate of these fascinating predators is very precarious due to their small population and the relentless persecution by people, similar to that experienced by the grey wolf in America earlier this century.

Hi, I'm an OAC biology student (that's grade 13 in Ontario) who is doing my ISP on African wild dogs. This is the best book I have ever found on wild dogs and probably the best ever written. I could not believe my luck when I found it. It is an excellent, coffee-table-type book with lots of beautiful pictures that you would like even if you were not specially interested in wild dogs. You will be surprised at how similar the dogs look in the pictures to your own dog.

While I am not sure the metaphor of the rhinoceros to describe quality leaders is apt, that really is a small point in the accuracy of the overall big picture. Rhinos are nearly blind, physically powerful, are not terribly bright, are extremely thick-skinned and will charge when they feel threatened. Successful leaders must have a vision beyond the horizon, be intelligent, their physical prowess is largely irrelevant, thin-skinned when it comes to absorbing relevant information and be the leader of a hierarchical herd. Charging without thought in the face of a perceived threat is also the last thing a quality leader will do. Furthermore, they must also be willing to accept and promote people with the capability to challenge their leadership.
These good qualities are stated and restated in this book, often within altered contexts. As so much of the latest business and economic news has made clear, the leadership class in the Unites States appears to be more of a hindrance than a benefit. The broad spectrum of faults runs from outright criminal behavior to general stupidity, with greed somewhere in between. While no sensible person would say that if the leaders were more like Warren's "rhinos" the current economic crisis would not have happened, there is no question it would have been lessened in severity.
The leadership lessons Warren puts forward in this book are sound, appropriate, realistic and worthy of study. While a fearless leader is a foolish leader, the person who understands the terrain and manages the fear that it presents will be successful. This is a point that Warren understands and drives home with the force of a charging rhino.

Running with the Rhinos is one of the best leadership books I have ever read! I would recommend it to anyone that wants to become a better leader in all areas of their life.

As a master leadership strategist, Mr. Warren has made a lasting impact in my life and has helped me raise my leadership effectiveness to a whole new level.

RUN! Don't walk, to buy this book!

If you like John Maxwell you will love this book. It's leadership priciples are well illustrated and easy to put into action. This book is going to help me become the leader I have always known I was destine to become.

This book is an insightful and inspiring book about leadership, success and overcoming obstacles. Particularly Warren's take on how failure can empower leadership as well as how to transform not only your career but your work/life balance as well are powerful and actionable for anyone who is ready to embrace leadership to the fullest.

If you enjoy John Maxwell or Jim Collins' books then this book will serve as a great addition to your bookshelf.

Here is an average American couple that does something we all dream about - but most never do - sail away to the South Pacific. In addition, the author takes us through their boating and non-boating lives in an interesting way.

Probably the most compelling theme is choosing to run your own life - i.e. they had to decide to quit working, deal with home ownership, grown kids and so on, to realize their dream.

So in that sense it is resource for anyone thinking about realizing some dream, it doesn't have to be about boating. But for those of us that like boating, well it is that much better.

She's a good writer and I'd sure like to see another book on what they did after they returned from the South Pacific. Highly recommended!

An extremely captivating, well written book! It was a relaxing read that allowed me to see what life would be like living on a boat. There is so much more to cruising than I ever imagined - although it would be amazing to see the world aboard a boat, you learn what hard work it is and how dangerous it can be. Not only is this a book about cruising, but also about real people and their emotions and their relationships. The author and her husband's relationship is strong, but its strength is tested by this trip. I absolutely loved this book and hope you'll get a chance to read it sometime!

Running with the Tide by Marlene B. Allen. Gimcrack Press, Mill Valley, CA. 1998. 406 pp. $16.95 trade paper. black-and-white photographs; maps.

After 35 years of marriage, when Bob Allen retired, Marlene and her husband finally got to take the long sailing cruise they had always dreamed about. In a narrative variously folksy, lyrical, romantic, reminiscent, and descriptive, Marlene Allen recounts this long voyage down the west coast of California and Mexico, out to Tahiti and Hawaii, and back to California. The joys of sailing, as well as its practicalities which can sometimes be bothersome, are palpable in her open, personable, account. Her journal-like narrative records as well as few alarming moments that came up along the way. And more than just a tale of a memorable sea voyage, Running with the Tide is a story about the rich later years of a long-lasting marriage. Many readers will be pleased by this aspect, although the work can be followed as an engaging, easy-to-read, and to some degree informative, account of a long sail through a large part of the Pacific. In appendices, Allen treats safety, equipment, preparation, and provisions for such a trip. An ideal book for any sailer or boater, or gift for those planning such an adventure; and ideal for summer reading.

review by Henry Berry Book Reviewer Editor/Publisher, The Small Press Book Review

What a wonderful book. You tell such a descriptive story. It is just fantastic. I have been reading numberous books on sailing addventures and yours deserves to be on the book shelf of every boating store.

Running: Politics, Power, And The Press by Harry Lonsdale is a "tell-all" account of what it is really like to run for political office in America today. From the difficulties of fund raising; to proposals for campaign finance reform; to simply having to try again when one's first run for office doesn't work, Running: Politics, Power, And The Press studies why the best man doesn't always win in American-style politics, and what it takes to truly handle the complex process of surviving an election. If you are considering a run for elected office (or are a supporter of someone who is) then give a close and careful reading to Harry Lonsdale's Running: Politics, Power, And The Press!

Regardless of your political affiliation, if you're interested in what goes on behind the scenes in a contemporary political campaign, this is the book to read. Having read it, I believe you will, like me, become deeply concerned about the future of our country and thus your future and that of your family.

Harry Lonsdale is little known outside Oregon, but he shook up the state's political world in the 1990s. A millionaire scientist/businessman from central Oregon, Lonsdale's environmental concerns spurred him to run against Oregon political titan Mark Hatfield in the latter's 1990 run for a fifth term in the US Senate.

Hatfield was the aging golden boy of Oregon politics. Elected to the Oregon House and Senate, as Oregon Secretary of State, two terms as governor, and then five terms in the US Senate, Hatfield owed much of his success to his reputation as a moderate, dovish Republican, who opposed defense buildups and used the power of the Senate Appropriations Committee (of which he was chair) to funnel billions of dollars into his home state. Hatfield's persona as a gentleman politician was a false one, however, as Lonsdale demonstrates throughout his account of their 1990 battle. Hatfield abused his power to control the Oregon media, instigate investigations into Lonsdale's past (which proved fruitless), and to raise millions of dollars in PAC and special interest money, which he used to fund a series of negative TV ads--ads which eventually won him the election. If anything, this book is valuable as an insight into the real Mark Hatfield, a dishonest, career politician whose only interest was staying in office and maintaining his own power.

Lonsdale, on the other hand, initially had little going for him beside his own millions, which he poured into his campaign. They came in handy. By using his fortune, Lonsdale won the Democratic nomination and was able to get his message--against clearcutting of Oregon's forests, pro-choice, pro-campaign finance reform--out to the public. By September 1990, Lonsdale was leading in the polls, and Hatfield rushed back from Washington, desperate to retain his position. The race remained virtually neck-and-neck until election day, when Hatfield finally won 53%-46%--a result unprecedented in its slim margin of victory for the "invulnerable" incumbent.

Two years later, Lonsdale ran again, facing Congressman Les AuCoin in the Democratic primary. Again, money made the difference, and with the Oregon press leaning characteristically towards well-known politicians, AuCoin's special interest cash and the media's anti-Lonsdale editorials eventually led to AuCoin's triumph--by only 300 votes out of over 300,000 cast! AuCoin went on to defeat against the notorious Bob Packwood. Lonsdale's final race in 1996, again in the Democratic primary, was less successful than the first two, as he was swamped early and decisively by a millionaire whose financial clout proved overwhelming.

"Running," then, is more than just a fascinating and gripping political memoir. It is also a revealing and somewhat depressing examination of the state of American electoral politics, with the incessant fundraising, special interests, and a politically controlled media proving more decisive, in the end, than the will (let alone the best interests) of the people. It gives readers a behind-the-scenes view of how modern campaigns are run, financed, and ultimately won. It shows how truly out of touch we are when it comes to dictating who we want to represent us, and it shows us how both of the two big parties work to maintain their own hold on power rather than work for the voters.

I highly recommend "Running" to all political junkies and concerned citizens. It should be a wake-up call--and a call to arms. We all need to work to preserve what little control we have over how our country is run. And we should all thank Harry Lonsdale--a decent, honest citizen who wanted to make a difference--both for running, and for writing this book.

It is the 7th game of the world series. The pitcher walks to the umpire and hands him ten thousand dollars. The batter hands the ump five thousand dollars. The ump says "Play Ball". Throughout the game the umpire makes close calls and gets handed money by the players. Throughout, the ump says that he was not influenced in his calls by the money.

Welcome to American politics. Harry Lonsdale is a well known figure from Oregon's recent political past--a three time candidate for U.S. Senator. This book describes the process of running for high office, and losing, from the mellowed perspective of seven to twelve years' time.

The book is a must-read for anyone running, or helping someone run, for high political office, especially in Oregon. And it will give the much wider audience of the tens of thousands of people who receive fundraising calls from candidates some sense of the anguish on the other end of the line. It gives a detailed view of the process of running: his motivation to run, the setting up a campaign staff, speechmaking, handshaking, meeting-going, and especially of the numbing process of dialing for dollars from individual contributors. It was most detailed in its view of the 1990 election between Mark Hatfield and Harry Lonsdale, Hatfield's only close brush with electoral defeat.

The book isn't a tell-all. No great secrets are finally told. And it isn't particularly a book of score-settling. A number of people disappointed Harry over the years (particularly senior Democrats who thought they would 'back a winner' and supported Hatfield) but Harry is quite kind to those people. The news media angered Harry, but the anger has mellowed into disappointment and resignation that the news media are simply businesses, in it for the money, not the opportunity to create a better democracy. Mssrs. Goldschmidt, AuCoin, Hatfield, and Packwood are all described negatively, as is most of the news media, but the comments aren't meanspirited, and are positively fairminded when compared to the 30-second attack ads that marked the campaign wars.

Harry describes the power of money in politics, from the unique vantage point of someone who had some (which allowed him to be the candidate to take on Hatfield in 1990) and of someone who didn't have enough (when he lost to the even richer Tom Bruggere in 1996).

Harry learned at first hand the close relation between money and political power and he suggests some solutions: campaign finance reform, greater access by candidates to the public airways. This book confirms that Harry is still an idealist, still a liberal, still an environmentalist, and still an outsider trying to change the system.

Heather Ramsey has selected just the right mix of adventure, humanity, inspiration, and motivation. These are real stories by real people that we can quickly identify with. If you are a runner or if you aspire to be one, don't miss this book! After reading it, you may be interested to submit your own story for Ms. Ramsey's next collection.
Alan Gettis, Ph.D., author of "The Happiness Solution: Finding Joy & Meaning In An Upside Down World."

Leaning back in my recliner I vicariously ran the marathons with the writers of these running tales. I felt their pain, experienced their discipline, enjoyed the camaraderie, and the cheering of the crowds as I raced through the pages of these engrossing stories.

I was gripped by the pull of their passion for running as I empathized with the psychological pitfalls of disappointments, and reaped the positive rewards of completion.

Ramsey has tied together these delightful, often humorous, personal stories with powerful, penetrating quotes from Olympic runners, well known celebrities, and motivational speakers, and others, to encourage the runner and the reader to finish the race.

This is a book that is a "must read" for every physical education teacher, athletic coach,tract team, and individual runner. It is a book for parents, and family members of runners. I highly recommend this book.

This short, easy read has it all...history, encouragement, humor and inspiration. Pat Fogle's words in "Passion Rebounding" and the adversity of Richard Youngs 1994 Ten Miler are words of encouragement that will speak to the heart. Thanks to Editor Heather Ramsey for compiling a book that runners and athletes everywhere are sure to enjoy! Highly recommended.

This will get you off the couch and feeling better in no time. Running stories, life stories, wonderful poetry . Its all here and chronicled by the runners of Charlottesville. Ramsey has done a great job of tying a variety of people and experiences together. High school coaches will find it an inexpensive and rewarding read for the team. Run on!!

7 Steps is the atlas of editorial consulting, flowing with feeling, logic, and clarity. Through experience, the author brings knowledge and understanding of the editorial consulting business to the reader. In addition, the resources inside are abundant and useful.

A compact abundance of candid, practical information and advice. Best of all: encouraging!

Seven Steps... is a must for anyone setting up a freelance business in copyediting, proofreading, or any other publishing-related field. Ms. Frutchey breaks down the elements of freelancing into easy-to-read chapters covering such areas as organizing your home office, setting your fees, marketing your services, finding and retaining clients, and handling your finances. This handy little book is a quick read, yet it offers a solid starting point for launching your business. Once you have read Seven Steps..., you will feel better prepared for the road ahead.

Ms. Frutchey's book is an absolute must for anyone planning on starting (or perhaps just thinking about starting)their own editorial consulting business. She's been through it all before, and is passing along the good, the bad, and the potentially ugly of everything involved. Her book can help anyone navigate more easily through everything from setting up an office to negotiating fees and getting insight on just exactly what the client wants you to do. She has provided an essential timesaver by reporting truthfully on what she's been through, and what you can expect. This book also contains many helpful references and websites for more information, help, and job leads. She's done her homework, and it shows.

Lou Brooks is one of America's foremost designer-illustrators and his work has appeared in nearly every publication in America at one time or another. SKATE CRAZY doesn't contain many of Lou's masterful illustrations, but it does have his wacky, inventive mark on every page. Illustrators and designers across the globe are going to be drooling over Lou's delectable choices. Beautiful old advertisements, postcards, signs and stickers abound in this book--lovingly restored in many cases by Lou's wife, Clare (also a first-class artist).

But it's not only Lou's colleagues who are lucky to have Lou's jam-packed gem available. His fun, informative writing will delight anyone on your gift list. Buy a copy for creaky old grannie--she probably spent time in her youth on roller skates, mesmerized by the drone of the Hammond organ. Get a copy for the couch potato of your choice--it's time to bring back those halcyon days and hit the rinks again. Roll off those extra rolls! Send a copy to your kid at college--a great way to discover a nearly-forgotten, but once very important American pastime.

This is one hell of a buy, as well. It is crammed to the gills with photos and graphics and will inform and delight everyone who is lucky enough to get a copy.

If I could, I'd give this one 10 stars! Congratulations, Louie!

Although this book makes a perfect gift for someone who loves to skate, it's just as good for art students, pop culture buffs, and lovers of quirky, crazy stuff. The infinite variety of roller-skate images is dazzling. "Skate Crazy" belongs on the shelf of every graphic designer. Plus, it's a lot of fun! Some of the old roller-rink photos made me laugh out loud, and the wild assortment of vintage stickers are a joy to look at. I've only been roller skating twice, but I loved this book!

This book is a great compilation of skating memorabilia from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. The book is full of photos, ad illustrations, and postcards, but the best part is the stickers from individual rinks - there are over 400 of them! The restored graphics are amazing, and the vintage style will make anyone nostalgic for this era of skating. Anyone interested in art or graphics should take a look at the way Brooks updates the stickers, because he truly has done a fantastic job.

A tip of the hat to Lou Brooks for making this book such a delight to look at! The subject matter is pretty mundane and in the hands of many other book designers 'Skate Crazy' would just look bland but Mr Brooks knows his stuff. He knows how to select the right photos, handle color panels, overlap graphic images, choose a relevant typeface for headings and all the other little design elements that make each page sparkle and this book has 144 of them in a neat square format.

Although much of the material is similar Brooks has managed to split it into sixteen chapters and write a bit about each subject but the book is essentially visual. The four hundred rink stickers are the main pictorial items and nicely the index in the back is a geographical listing of past rinks across America. Strangely, despite a thorough coverage there are no close-up photos of skates, a page or two from a manufacturer's sales brochure would have been helpful I think.

'Skate Crazy' is a wonderful bit of nostalgia and if you rolled (or danced) around one of the three thousand rinks across the Nation in the Forties or Fifties you'll really enjoy looking at this book. Just super!

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.