The Encyclopedia of Surfing

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Summary: a masterpiece
Review: as thorough a work on surfing as you'll ever find...all questions answered, no stone unturned...if you love surfing you're going to love this book, and learn a lot as well.

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Summary: Really IS and Encyclopedia
Review: For the record, let me state that I've been surfing for 20 years and got the bug, along with most others my age, watching The Endless Summer and getting captivated by the energy and beauty of the sport. This compilation, while very complete, really IS an encyclopedia...page, after page, after page. There are some useful tidbits of information strewn among the lengthy volume but a large majority of the book seems filled with fairly uninteresting, small, black and white photos, and biographies of just about anyone in the world who ever attempted to stand up on a board. Avoid this snore-fest and put your money into a nice hardcover coffee table book filled with glorious color shots of the world's tube riders...and leave all of the trivia to the wannabes.

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Summary: I got a great deal on a beach cruiser at SurfCycles_com
Review: I got a great deal on a beach cruiser at SurfCycles_com It was cheap and they shipped it fast

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Summary: Like Surfers Journal... almost
Review: I surf almost every day and can never seem to quench my thirst. My favorite read, by far, of all books and periodicals is The Surfers Journal. It truly captures the many angles of the sport. This book is somewhat in the same vein. It's exhaustive, comprehensive and true to the roots. If you love the history of the sport buy it. If you read Surfing, have never ridden more than one type of board or never traveled to pursue a new wave... don't (do those things instead... THEN buy it). Good bedside book... alongside my Bible.

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Summary: The Best Book on Surfing Ever?
Review: I think it must be. This massive book (800 pages plus) covers everyhing about this great sport. But what is most amazing, is that the writing is so excellent--all of the characters, surf breaks, technology, competitions, movies, music, really come alive under Warshaw's unique eye. All the facts are there in excrutiating detail, but the way they are presented makes reading the book addictive. This has got to be the new bible for the sport.

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Summary: Complete source for all information
Review: if you want to find almost everyone, every place, every thing associtated with surfing...this one book is the place...

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Summary: An Awesome Achievement
Review: Just got the book and I've barely put it down. The book is enormous--there doesn't seem to be anything Warshaw hasn't covered. What is great about the book is that it not only does it have every fact you'd ever want to know about the sport, but the writing is so interesting that the facts really come alive. Who'd ever thought that the history of surf wax could be so fascinating??

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Summary: A top pick for any interested in the fine art of surfing
Review: Matt Warshaw's Encyclopedia Of Surfing is a top pick for any interested in the fine art of surfing. From different surfboard developments and the history of different cultures involved in the surfside sport, to legendary surfers and their achievements, the Encyclopedia Of Surfing is packed from cover to cover with "user friendly" A-Z reference material.

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Summary: Don't leave home without it!
Review: This is an amazing read for anyone interested in surfing history and culture. As a surf writer I couldn't do without it! As a fan of surfing, it's a Bible of information. Love it!

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Summary: The Leviathan of Surf Books
Review: This is the ultimate surfing book for both the hard core surfer and the wannabee. Everything under the sun (and surf) is covered and presented in an interesting and informative way. The book is big so you definitely get your money's worth. I haven't finished reading all of it--but I'm not sure that even possible. It's the kind of book you can pick up and spent 10-15 minutes reading a few entries and then come back to it later. I liked Warshaw's other books, particularly Mavericks, but this is a really different beast. An ambitous attempt to cover the entire scope of the sport in detail. He pulls it off totally.