The Story of Modern Skiing
by John Fry
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Book Summary Information
Author: John FryEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-10-31
ISBN: 1584654899
Number of pages: 380
Publisher: UPNE
Book Reviews of The Story of Modern Skiing
Book Review: Thorough and engaging
Summary: 5 Stars
The story told here encompasses (mostly) the development of skiing and its related aspects from the World War II era onward. Needless to say a broader time frame is possible, but this allows the author to catalog a more intense development era in greater detail. And he does this effectively. Many folks who visit the modern day resorts probably figure this was all invented just 10 years ago. But the commitment of early industry visionaries determined to build a sport, often with tenuous financial resources, is fascinating. It could easily have never come to pass if all the variables didn't fall into place--pioneering spirit, pursuit of dreams, a robust post-war economy and sense of well-being, etc. But it obviously worked--at least during the growth/boom years. Now the industry is more populated by bean-counters and the original personalities who were responsible for the success have died off, leaving what is left as mere business model to perpetuate as opposed to the wonderful enthusiasm as delivered by the originators (at least in large measure). But interesting nonetheless if skiing and the winter sports environment are of interest in your life.
Summary of The Story of Modern Skiing
This is the definitive history of the sport that has exhilarated and infatuated about 30 million Americans and Canadians over the course of the last fifty years. Consummate insider John Fry chronicles the rise of a ski culture and every aspect of the sport's development, including the emergence of the mega-resort and advances in equipment, technique, instruction, and competition.The Story of Modern Skiing is laced with revelations from the author's personal relationships with skiing greats such as triple Olympic gold medalists Toni Sailer and Jean-Claude Killy, double gold medalist and environmental champion Andrea Mead Lawrence, first women's World Cup winner Nancy Greene, World Alpine champion Billy Kidd, Sarajevo gold and silver medalists Phil and Steve Mahre, and industry pioneers such as Vail founder Pete Seibert, metal ski designer Howard Head, and plastic boot inventor Bob Lange. Fry writes authoritatively of alpine skiing in North America and Europe, of Nordic skiing, and of newer variations in the sport: freestyle skiing, snowboarding, and extreme skiing. He looks closely at skiing's relationship to the environment, its portrayal in the media, and its response to social and economic change.
Maps locating major resorts, records of ski champions, and a timeline, bibliography, glossary, and index of names and places make this the definitive work on modern skiing. Skiers of all ages and abilities will revel in this lively tale of their sport's heritage.
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