No comments about Big Bad Blizzard (Scooby-Doo Reader).

5 comments about Everything the Instructors Never Told You About Mogul Skiing.

1. The audience DiPiro is writing for in this book is the skier who wants to ski moguls fast, following the fall line, feet and knees locked together, knees pumping, feet twisting below a steady upper body, finishing with an aerial stunt, just like the mogul skiers in competitions on t.v.
   
   As a long-time skier in my 70's, I aspire to ski moguls slowly and gracefully, as I have seen hundreds of good recreational skiers do. I have no desire to ski with white patches on the knees of my ski pants so the people on the chairlift can admire how fast I pump and keep my knees together.
   
   Some of DiPiro's advice may be helpful to such a skier as I--stand tall, compress and extend, don't carve. But much of it fails to address my goals. For example, he says to use compression and extension to control speed, but doesn't explain how to transfer these actions to speed control. In fact, he relates these movements to speed, rather than control. While he pairs compression with extension, his diagrams for skiing the line show skiing in the trough around moguls, not over them, where one would compress. Quickly turning the feet can most easily be done on the top of a mogul; he doesn't mention this.
   
   Having read the rave reviews for this book, I was disappointed to find it doesn't give the instruction I was looking for.



2. This is absolutely the briefest and most 'to the point' book on the subject. I highly recommend it to everybody seeking mogul skiing proficiency.
   Technical advice like 'stand tall', 'absorb and extend' made a world of difference for me and instantly improved my mogul technique.
   If you try to improve yours - look no further - buy this book and head for the hills.
   Enjoy your training.



3. If you are a dedicated skier wanting to improve it is merely a matter of time until groomed trails are too easy and real skill and flow are to be found in the bumps.
   
   But effective bump skiing is somewhat different from groomed slope skiing. If you take the techniques (striving for carving long edge set turns) into the bumps you will be stalled immediately. The problem is that you do not know this .. This is the only book I have ever read that deals directly with skiing bumps. It is superb
   
   As an aside, I live 30 miles northwest of Aspen and ski perhaps 80 times a year. Aspen prides itself on the highest number of skier/instructor days of any resort. Yet the vast majority of these (somewhat to very good) groomed trail teachers avoid the bumps like the plague ... Why? They can't ski them. Why? They are clueless as to the techniques required and so neatly explained in Dipiro's book.



4. DiPiro's breakdown of mogul technique in "Everything the Instructors Never Told You about Mogul Skiing" is a great resource for mogul skiers, beginner to expert. His writing style is easy to read and easy to visualize. The images accompanying the text are also infinitely helpful.
   
   DiPiro's message is solid. Following the drills and tips he provides, you are sure to advance you mogul skiing abilities in leaps and bounds. His approach to mogul technique intentionally avoids discussion of "carving," in the conventional alpine sense. Be sure to remember as you read, that this doesn't mean your skis should be flat and skidding! DiPiro simply emphasizes that the technique used in moguls ought not be derived solely from alpine carving, but should rather be an exploration into an entirely different realm of skiing.
   
   I read this book just as I was getting into skiing bumps. It truly opened my eyes to "real" mogul skiing. I was able to develop and hone my skills much more effectively with the knowledge learned from reading DiPiros book not once, but three times! The concepts truly came to life after I received coaching at a Mogul Logic camp. At this juncture, I must also note that, as effective as a book on technique may be, it can never totally replace the value of live instruction/coaching. This book would be a great companion to taking a mogul camp (Mogul Logic, Momentum, etc.), or a live mogul lesson with DiPiro or another mogul pro.
   
   I would also personally advise following up your reading of this book by watching Chuck Martin's mogul skiing lessons on YouTube (search "mogul logic chuck") . Those, along with this book, will help you take your skiing to another level.
   
   What it comes down to is this: each skier must synthesize and formulate his own style, by learning as much as he can from multiple schools of thought. He must take from these, and develop his own style which is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and most fun! "Everything the Instructors Never Told You about Mogul Skiing" should reside on the nightstand of any skier interested in moguls.
   
   As a sidenote, this book was a big catalyst in my decision to develop mogulskiing (dot) net. Thanks for your hard work, Dan!
   
   Keep on bumpin.
   
   ~Patrick
   
   Director, [...] (note to Amazon editors: "[...]" is a registered business entity (a division of Patrick Torsell Enterprises), not just a URL... please stop deleting it)



5. I'm an aggressive all mountain skier except when it comes to the bumps. My bump skiing friends taught me how to ski moguls but this book put all the pieces together. What my mogul skiing friends where teaching me were parts and pieces of the puzzle. I only wish I had this book 10 years ago when I was single and skied way more than I do now. I ran across this book when I was looking up mogul skiing on line. When I read about it I bought it right away and glad I did. Now its all I do on the slopes is practice the drills and bash the bumps. I don't know the author but glad he wrote this book. Thanks Dan! Oh, and I'm doing the zipper line where as before reading this book I could only go about 6-8 bumps until I get kicked out the back the door.

5 comments about Power Boating For Dummies.

1. This book is packed full of valuable information. It was so easy to read..Our whole family is going to read it together to learn about Boating. The photographs are great as well as the illustrations...even my kids read it!! The cheat sheet is on the fridge and will be used every time we head out!



2. JUST NAME IT. BUYING,TOWING, LAUNCHING, NAVIGATION, WEATHER, MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, HE COVERS IT ALL. READING THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOUR BOATING LIFE MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE.



3. I really enjoyed this book. I didn't really know what the style of my boat was considered, but after reading this, I learned that I own a Walkaround, or express boat. That alone was worth the price of the book.
   
   This book really covers everything well in a very readable format.
   
   Just about every topic that I wanted to learn something more about was in this book.
   
   It's no replacement for Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship, which is the definitive tome for boating. But if you need more of an intro to boating, this book is highly recommended.



4. For someone interested in boating, but no idea where to start, this is the perfect book. It is well organized, well written and provides all the details a beginning boater needs to know. I am especially happy with the sections on maintaining your boat and boating etiquette. Bottom Line: a good collection of tips to make boating fun and keep new boaters from looking like idiots on and around the water.



5. great book. every time I read this I learn something important. full of valuable money saving info.
   this author knows his stuff!!

5 comments about Mastering Mountain Bike Skills.

1. I am just getting into mountain biking (bit of a roadie), and this book is great. It is definitely more advanced than my beginning talent, but it gives me a place to start and goals to work towards. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to be a better mountain biker. If you enjoy gentle singletrack once a month don't bother. If you want to increase your speed and skills it is a must have.



2. I thought this book was pretty well done, but I find that I can't learn this type of skill very well from reading about it. Video seems to work better for me. Brian Lopes is certainly well qualified and has some great stories in the book.



3. Excelente libro para adorar el mtb.
   Con buenos trucos y detalles para mejorar la técnica y volver a aprender a pedalear.
   Le sacaras provecho a tu compañera de aventuras, tu bicicleta, chancha, cleta, como le llames.
   Algo de mecánica y tips de posición de los componentes.
   Buen libro y excelente capacitador.



4. With a huge racing season laid out in front of me, I needed a book that could describe through images and experiences all of the detailed skills that it takes to succeed. Lee and Brian have created such a text. Each chapter had a move or skills drill that I would apply to my daily ride allowing me to progress by leaps and bounds in a very short period of time. Interspersed throughout are examples of how the authors learned these lessons and applied them to their riding and racing. Multiple full color pictures and diagrams show step by step movements intermingled with often comical metaphors. There were places where I was laughing out loud. More importantly I would remember the lessons because of the creative language used to teach them. Will this book turn you from a Beginner to an Expert overnight? Don't be absurd. But if you can practice all that it has to offer then you will certainly move up the ladder faster than if you had to absorb this knowledge by trial and error.



5. i have been racing downhill for 8 years now and i still reference this great book all the time great info for everyone and well writen(unlike this review)pics are great...just a really good book thanks brian and lee

5 comments about All-Mountain Skier : The Way to Expert Skiing.

1. You cannot learn skiing by reading a book. Like any other skills, good skiing requires hours and hours of training. However, it is good to read "how to" manual before going to the hills. It is also especially good to look inside the book AFTER skiing day with fresh memories of one's own performance. This is a good book for everyone eager to learn more and improve his skiing skills. I do recommend it. For extreme skiing lovers I highly recommend three DVD's by well know extreme skier and filmmaker Peter Chrzanowski: "The Spirit", "Valdez Goes Extreme" and "Mt. Robson, The North Face". And if you want to relax next to the fireplace after a day of skiing then get Naked Pictures of Famous People



2. This book presents a relatively simple approach to skiing that works in all conditions (with some modifications). I don't use it all the time, but there are times when it is useful to revert to ... It works without question.



3. This book is the perfect supplement to on-hill lessons. That's an enormous endorsement, because any book or method which proposes to make you an expert skier while sitting on your couch is completely off the mark! Mark Elling's systematic approach worked wonders for me as I started skiing after moving to Utah at age 29. My first year on skis I spent 60 days on the hill, had 5 lessons, and read and reread (mostly on the throne!) this book.
   
   Three years later and I've progressed to a backcountry powder maniac and aggresive resort skier. Skiing well takes practice, time, and personal instruction. This book will reinforce the good lessons, help clarify the bad lessons, and give you things to think about while you're stuck in traffic on your first powder day.
   
   Reviewers who chide Elling for writing a disorganized book full of tips seem to be reading too fast and not digesting and perfecting the earlier chapters before moving on. Patience, skiers, patience!



4. Read this book cover to cover, underline and study, before you go skiing for the first time. Then take three lessons and you will be off to a great start. Wish I had read this book three years ago when I first started skiing. It has a lot of very basic information that other books and videos leave out.



5. The book is, I would say, in outdated format. Pictures are sober. Also, the text, kind of, repeats itself, without giving the clear hints that one would expect for skiing different types of snow conditions. Of course, you can learn some interesting techniques from such a book always, but I expected more from it.

5 comments about Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series).

1. This probably is the sixth of the Mountaineers Outdoor Expert Series books that I have purchased as published by the Mountaineers Books. As with those other texts, I was able to learn some things and was surprised and disappointed at the information which was not covered. This book is no exception.
   
   On the positive side, there is very good instruction on roped skiing and on situations requiring belay stations and stances with skis. The avalanche safety section is good, but not definitive. The strong point of this book is the techniques for skiing in various terrain, along with the transitions that inevitably occur. For this, I would say this is one of the better, more up-to-date instructional books.
   
   A big disappointment comes with the lack of depth in discussing the merits of various gear options. For example, in the beginning there was a brief illustration of the history of telemark vs. alpine touring setups, followed by a bare discussion about the merits of each. This fundamental question is then quickly dismissed simply by the statement "the best answer remains to choose the right tool for the job, or quite possibly to go with whatever style you prefer." That completely misses the point on why someone would buy this in the first place; these experts should give much more information to the reader before the readers embark on the very expensive quest to discover this for themselves...the reason for an "expert" series in the first place.
   
   Another example is their discussion on ski weight. It starts out good, but then the authors punt again by saying "Shop at a store where the salesperson can answer technical questions and can point you in the right direction for your intended application." But isn't this the reason one would buy this book?? Having very frustrating experiences with so-called "expert" salespeople in many of these stores leaves much to be desired, which is why I would like the opinions of the experts who wrote this book. This punting on fundamental gear questions grows tiresome quickly...
   
   There is no discussion on the merits of wax or XCG/Crown/Fishscale means of level or uphill locomotion. And there is nary anything about using mountaineering boots in conjuction with ski setups...only an acknowledgement that you can. These examples of lame treatment of important gear questions frankly minimizes the utility of this book. Certainly, the authors have an opinion about such things; the reason people like me buy books by experts is to read their reasoned opinions. This gives nothing of the sort in order to be "gear" neutral (a sort of "political correctness" imported to an "expert" book so as to perhaps not offend any company or various gear afficionados...)
   
   A second and larger disappointment is that this book deals minimally with hauling gear for winter camping/expedition purposes. For all intents and purposes, this book should be entitled "Day-Trip Backcountry Skiing" because there is hardly anything referring to the load-carrying complications of overnight and/or expedition-type traveling. There is no instructions on how to rig a pulk/sled, or how to rig a backpack even for overnight use. Absolutely nothing on winter camping after the skiing, which to me is the essense of ski mountaineering.
   
   In sum, the good technique instruction in this book is worth the purchase price. But this definitely is not the definitive Ski Mountaineering book...if this is what you are looking for, you might need to look further...I'm still searching.



2. This is a great book. It allows beginners to develop a good base of knowledge and provides a great reference for those with years of experience. It is exactly what we have come to expect from the Mountaineers.



3. This new "Backcountry Skiing" guidebook is destined to become a classic in The Mountaineers Books collection ... one that will be considered an indispensible reference in the libraries of mountaineers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. Authors Martin Volken, Scott Schell, and Margaret Wheeler have each guided ski tours in the Alps throughout Europe, where Ski Mountaineering has been popular for quite some time ... and have introduced their clients to the famous summits of the Alps, as well as the local peaks of the Cascade Range. We have a large number of Alpine Climbers in the Pacific Northwest, many of whom may find that their "next step" is Ski Mountaineering ... thanks to the information in this new and comprehensive guidebook. The large number of excellent pictures makes the text all-the-more understandable. Those Reviewers preceding me have already given a good account of some of the specifics that they've found valuable ... so I won't elaborate here, except to say that the information on avalanche safety is invaluable for ANY one who ventures into the backcountry. We have lost nine lives to avalanches in Washington State already in this season! The authors of this guidebook are Instructors of the AIARE courses, and are passionate about personal safety above all else. I've already sent copies of this "new classic" to some of my best friends! Armed with the knowledge from this book, the readers can venture into the backcountry with newfound confidence and enjoyment of a sport that is bound for increasing popularity worldwide.



4. this book is like a small dictionary defining various aspects of skiing. It has the different types of skiing that can be done, along with the equipment that is neccessary for that type. The book shows various examples of bindings for tele skiing as an example. I have been wanting to get into ski mountaineering and this book helped me form an opinion on what type of skis i need to purchase and what further equipment or training i would need



5. Great information for skiers who are just starting out to those wishing to improve their game. Detailed tips from very experienced skiers, as well as fun, informative photography. Totally recommended.

4 comments about Ultimate Skiing.

1. Once again, Ron LeMaster has hit a home run. Current, insightful, chock full of useful information that you can use to enhance your skiing. The photo montages are exceptional. Related in plain language that is easy to understand with practical on-snow drills that really make a difference.
   
   Any intermediate or advanced skier who wants to "pump up the volume" on their technique should read Ultimate Skiing. And PSIA Certified Instructors will find the content fresh and invaluable.



2. Let's compare books. There is a better book for understanding ski mechanics and the fundamentals of alpine skiing. It's titled, World Cup Ski Technique: Learn and Improve, by James Major and Olle Larsson. It's more concise, more interesting, more readable; the photomontage sequences are larger, more brilliant, more illuminating (in terms of the lesson we are learning); and I really believe it reaches a larger audience (including junior racers), not because it's dumbed-down, rather it's smartened-up with lively prose and an obvious passion for the fun and games of skiing. I tell my kids to just ignore that silly peacock and ski away with joy in your hearts.



3. Much too technical,even for me and I am a physics major. Last 25% of the book has a few good tips but overall not practical.



4. I bought quite a few skiing books for my reference and this is one now I keep in my bag, very helpful adn very clear. The other book, All Mountain Skiing, is pretty good to.

5 comments about The Edge of Never: A Skier's Story of Life, Death, and Dreams in the World's Most Dangerous Mountains.

1. This book reads like a heart thumping spy novel. Never a dull moment. At the same time it gives insight to the incredible world of big mountain skiing.
   
   Kerig makes it so you understand and identify with the characters. You see that these people are consummate professionals, not ski bums. The risks taken are not frivolous. Kerig gives you a feel for what drives them.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone, skier or not.



2. I sprained my ankle on the first day of a ski trip to Vail and realized that I better find a good book to read for the coming days. Went into the local bookstore and saw a small display for The Edge of Never. Looked interesting enough, so I bought the book and started reading it the next evening. Couldn't put it down. There are many adjectives to describe this story: gripping, exciting, nerve-racking, emotional, vivid, honest, real. There is no embellishment in the story. There are no characters that are made to appear larger than they really are. They are all human and recognize their limitations and human weaknesses in the face of the book's main character . . . the mountains. Kerig does an amazing job bringing the mountains to life. Chamonix is not merely a backdrop. It is as forceful a character as Everest in Into Thin Air. The only thing I really wish Kerig had added to the book is some pictures of the mountains, couloirs and characters. Long ramble short, an excellent and adventurous read.



3. I read the book last December and loved it. The rest of may family read it as well. Last night we went to see the film. Highly recommend both (read book before watching the film).



4. This is a great book about skiing. It's an easy read and you can go through it in a weekend. This book talks about the making of the movie. It's not a novel form of the movie- which I haven't seen. I already wanted to see the movie, but am even more excited now.



5. Great book if you are into Skiing. I can't wait to see the DVD.

5 comments about Curious George in the Snow.

1. Good book. It's one of the older George stories and drawings, not one of the newer George stories and drawings.



2. These old time classic books are wonderful. I have my mother's edtions that she read when she was little in the 1950s.
   
   Wonderful legacy to the Rey couple who were tragically murdered in their home.



3. Excellent seller! Item was shipped promptly, ordered this week, received this week!!! Couldn't be happier!



4. This is as good as any CG book, but I wish the text was formatted differently. When reading it with Kindle for iphone, the text is very, very small. The pages seem to be formatted as pictures instead of text with picture, so enlarging the font has no effect. When you zoom in to enlarge the text, it treats the page as a picture and opens a new window that has to be closed before you can go to the next page. Makes reading very tedious.



5. the story is great but the text is actually an image rather than real text. it is very small. you cannot adjust the font because the text is just part of the illustration. they cut corners with this one. curious george at the beach is done the way it should be.

5 comments about Frostbite (Vampire Academy, Book 2).

1. Lost my favor in this one...maybe I'll continue some day but I kind of ran away from all the hype. *shrug shrug*



2. I love these books. They have action, Romance, drama...all that you could ask for....I like them as much as the Sookie Stackhouse books and I will continue to read them until the end. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. I have it pre-ordered...Spirit Bound.



3. If You want to feel yourself as adolescent and to see in you enviroment places, where Strigoi or Moroi would live- Yuo need this book. Don't looking here for seriouse phlosofy or classical English - for me as not-often-English user it was also a good possibility to improve my lenguage, becous it is very easy readable



4. I would tell readers 13 an up to read this series. That they will like it.



5. This first book hooked me immediately and had to keep reading to see what happened and how the characters were developed.