Reviews

YA-"Skiing ruined my life." This simple, forthright statement will hook readers. This book is a collection of 17 of Finkel's skiing adventures, many of which were previously published in Skiing magazine. The author skied on the slopes of Iran where women ski on separate slopes and only if they wear a black skirt over their ski pants and not a wisp of hair is visible. He skied with Mongolian herdsmen who taught themselves the sport when the government sent them used equipment. He jumped out of helicopters to snowboard on Alaska's Chugach Mountain. He even skied "The Toothbrush," a plastic surface of white PVC bristles, when he entered the British Dry Ski Slopes Championship. He finds adventure, humor, and insight at every turn. Give this book to any ski buff or armchair traveler. They'll get a great lesson in geography, world cultures, and human nature.-Jane S. Drabkin, Potomac Community Library, Woodbridge, VA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

"Michael Finkel is hilarious, insightful, and honest: a first-rate travel writer."--Randy Wayne White

Finkel has been a contributing editor to Skiing magazine (as well as other sports and general publications) for the last ten years and an avid skier since the age of five. For this book, he has compiled stories about his adventures. Ranging from humorous to exciting to death-defying, these stories span five continents and 12 winters. Finkel takes the reader places not normally associated with skiing, like Iran (where even women ski), Bosnia-Herzegovina, China, Mount Kilimanjaro, Greenland, New York City, and even an interstate truck ramp. His stories are filled with the varied, fascinating people he meets along the way; and he shows insight into the different cultures, histories, geologies, and geographies of the places he visits. Lots of fun for the armchair traveler and world adventurer alike.ÄMelinda Stivers Leach, Precision Editorial Svcs., Wondervu, CO Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.