Rating: 
Summary: A behind-the-scenes book on the tribulations of life
Review: I remember as a grommet and my idols were Tom Curren and I liked the style of Martin Potter but there was a guy, my age who was really kicking butt in surfing in the amateurs, named Kelly Slater. I remember during a surf comp in France, he was against his idol, Tom Curren and Slater won. There was a lot of talk about him but you knew inside this kid from Cocoa Beach was going somewhere. He is multi-talented but during his interviews...print or on television, you kind of see something through his eyes. Stoke when he wins a comp. But I don't know...you sensed somethings at times that you wonder how life is going for Kelly Slater. "Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey" was so captivating that I couldn't even put the book down. This book is not a how-to-surf book. It's about the life of Kelly Slater and he talks about personal things that occured in his life that I must say...it takes a lot of courage and probably is therapeutic in a way to get everything out into the open for him. From his childhood, his father leaving his family and getting involved with alcoholism, insight on competitions and what was on his mind and how he actually gets pissed off (which I really couldn't imagine because he seems always calm) if he's losing a match. He also talks about his relationships with Bree (if you read any of the surf mags...you always saw a photo of them together) and the problems with that relationship as well as with Pamela Anderson and others. Also, the "Baywatch" situation and how Kelly and his co-star David Charvet got into a fight because Kelly didn't like being on the show and that was interesting. How he amassed a lot of money early on in his surfing career and then blew it all and it took a hard realization to manage it. Also, about that French stalker woman and how he almost got jumped by several guys. How he wanted to be like Tom and leave his sponsor to be soul surfer. His reunion with his father and him being a father which he kept secret from the public for two years and so much in this book that you start to learn more about Kelly Slater. Like many sports icons, you tend to see the good things. With Slater, I thought...champion, dates fine women, on the cool magazines and in the spotlight....what a life? But when you read the book, you realize that Slater really never asked to be a star, he just wanted to surf and the things that went on with his life, like most celebrities or sports icons, they can manifest to something negative but he was able to stay right in between, he never goes into a ....I'm doing so well with my life but that he made some f-up's along the way and he's making sure that he doesn't do again (or try to anyway) and continues to improve himself and try to make better decisions after learning from difficult and heartbreaking decisions. After reading this book, I respect him so much more. This book is absolutely wonderful!
Rating: 
Summary: Honestly Kelly
Review: It seems as if writing your bio at 31 years old either means that you fear a loss of public stature or you are pitching your ideas.
The Kelly Slater notariety is ultimately used here to pitch a change in surfing's marketing. Additionally, he clarifies how he was able to win those tournaments. Consistency! The other pros would surf good in a couple of contests and then lousy in others.
As one would expect, Kelly goes chronologically from youth to the present in quite a candid series of anecdotes and narrative. Portraying an everyman anti-hero (he talks about how he reacts to things which happen), Kelly shows a human side which any one can relate to. He never begs the reader's applause, yet he brings them into the reality of life, death, and indifference. He openly discusses and admits his shortcomings.
I assume that the the actual text was written by Jason Borte. Style wise, the book is coherent. Frequent black and white picture complement what is said. Frequently, the anecdotes elicit a chuckle. A few occasions of redundancy do exist. On p. 114 a pair of trunks had the words "I don't even care." stenciled on the 'seat of the pants'. A previous pair of pants were refered to as 'ankle length surf trunks'. Not a major problem, but it does speak to choice of words. The end of the book has a listing of Kelly's contest achievements and a couple of "Top Ten/ Favorite" lists much like a teen magazine. He litanizes his thank-yous. This covers the bases of readership. Fellow sportsman and fan alike should enjoy what is said
In the end, this book gives an honest glimpse into the life of a person in transistion much in the way he hopes that professional surfing will continue to be in transition. The reader is left with the impression that Kelly has learned a number of lessons and is more balanced in terms of career and family.
Rating:
Summary: Kelly Slater is awesome
Review: Kelly Slater is the best surfer ever. This book describes his ups and downs. Excellent book for Kelly Slater lovers.
Rating: 
Summary: Pazzy
Review: Originally I thought of Kelly Slater as the thought as the "quiet genius" type from seeing and hearing him in surf movies.It is good to hear about his thoughts, but he seems, sometimes,
quiet shallow, insecure and almost juvenile. It is shame how easily he dismisses his friendships,family (especially his daughter!)and relationships because of competition and fame.
It doesnt sound like he has ever has a real relationship in his life. (I read Occys book and he is the similar but much more
childish) Why would a guy with all the talent in the world get so hung up on a media puppet like Pamela Anderson (besides the obvious endowments) All in all still a great story of the greatest surfer ever, he just needs to grow up.
Rating:
Summary: Pazzy
Review: Originally I thought of Kelly Slater as the thought as the "quiet genius" type from seeing and hearing him in surf movies. It is good to hear about his thoughts, but he seems, sometimes,
quiet shallow, insecure and almost juvenile. It is shame how easily he dismisses his friendships,family (especially his daughter!)and relationships because of competition and fame.
It doesnt sound like he has ever has a real relationship in his life. (I read Occys book and he is the similar but much more
childish) Why would a guy with all the talent in the world get so hung up on a media puppet like Pamela Anderson (besides the obvious endowments) All in all still a great story of the greatest surfer ever, he just needs to grow up.
Rating:
Summary: Best Beach Book
Review: Picked this one up right away. I bought it because I am a huge surfer and love the sport. I think it's also a good read for anybody who is into pushing themselves to the limit. No matter what your background, you can persue your goals, and maybe even achieve them.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a surf book
Review: The book is a candid, linear, journalistic account of Slater's life to date, with an emphasis on his competitive success. It reads like a long surf magazine article, which should come as no surprise since the vast majortiy of Kelly's reading time is spent on surf mags (he admits it in the book). In the appendix is a list of every single pro contest result. If Kelly where not a surfer he would be a good accountant with his talent for analyzing heat results for inconsistencies and patterns.
This book wants to appeal to non surfers, so there are annoying explanations of common sense surfing facts (how a heat works, what is tow in surfing, the priotity bouy etc.) Yet the ASP tour gossip will be of no interest to someone not familiar with the characters.
Kelly is arguably the best surfer of all time, but in a sport of mad men and larger that life characters he comes across as a bore. In the book, Kelly alludes to his plans to write about his discoveries of techniques allowing him to reach his mind bending levels of performance. Wait for this book and skip this long winded story of Kelly being the good guy. If you want a great surfing book, check out Alan Weisbecker's novels.
Rating:
Summary: thriller
Review: The book, Pipe Dreams, Six-Time World Champion Kelly Slater, is the interesting story of our greatest surfer. His normal life led him to become the most talented surfer in the world. When you read the biography of Slater, you feel like you have become this surfer. The story told give visions inside your head making you think you are a spectator watching Slater break the records. Kelly Slater and Jason Borte made this ordinary biography into the best adventure ever read.
Rating:
Summary: A Surfer's kind of Autobio
Review: This book is a great insight into the champion surfer, Kelly Slater. As a surfer myself, I found the book compelling and interesting, but I don't think that the writing is particularly good. The narrative focuses on his personal life and seems to struggle to synthesize the various chronological phases of his life. If you're interested in the life of Kelly Slater outside of what he does on the WCT then this is definitely a great book to look into. However, if you plan on picking up a well-written book, and you're really not interested in the particular subject of surfing, it might not be what you're looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Great Biography
Review: This is a highly anticipated book for those Kelly Slater fans. It goes into great depth and detail in all aspects of his life. From beginning to end. He describes his trials and experiences like you were actually there with him. He keeps it true and honest. Good not only for surfers, but for everyone. Highly recommended.
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