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Rating: 
Summary: Really nothing new
Review: In reading this book I got the distinct impression that the author compiled it from the many newspaper articles and skating magazines. Interviews with real skaters are included but there's really nothing new or different - fans of the sport and skaters are already familiar with these issues and discussions. Might be interesting for news fans of the sport
Rating: 
Summary: CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 2
Review: Mark Lund tells it like it is, but even as this book was being written the entire world of skating was changing yet again with the scandals of Salt Lake City. When Mark started International Figure Skating Magazine, I was the person who told him it's the "TIME Magazine of skating" and never has that been more true than it is today. Mark and his staff, including Lois Elfman are wonderful investigative reporters and are not afraid of finding out the truth. I applaud their efforts on this book and cannot wait for volume two, which I am sure is already in their minds. Congratulations for a wonderful effort. A Must read for all followers of this beautiful sport which has such a dark political undercurrent. Ted Wilson
Laguna Hills, California
Rating:
Summary: CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 2
Review: Mark Lund tells it like it is, but even as this book was being written the entire world of skating was changing yet again with the scandals of Salt Lake City. When Mark started International Figure Skating Magazine, I was the person who told him it's the "TIME Magazine of skating" and never has that been more true than it is today. Mark and his staff, including Lois Elfman are wonderful investigative reporters and are not afraid of finding out the truth. I applaud their efforts on this book and cannot wait for volume two, which I am sure is already in their minds. Congratulations for a wonderful effort. A Must read for all followers of this beautiful sport which has such a dark political undercurrent. Ted Wilson
Laguna Hills, California
Rating: 
Summary: one long newspaper article
Review: There wasn't much in this book that I hadn't heard about already. The authors appear afraid to give a direct opinion about anything or anyone. This book is filled with vacant platitudes and fluff quotes, such as on pg. 115 from Kristy Yamagucci, "There were some good events and some bad ones, but at the time they all seemed good..." There isn't any further elaboration on what she meant by "good" or "bad".
Scott Hamilton wants to complain that people aren't interested in pro-skating anymore, but refuses to admit it's because it's boring. What he calls "artisty" is over the top queerness to most people, even skating fans. Eligible skating is just more interesting for most to watch- for the same reasons that no one watches exhibition football or baseball games. While much of this books focuses on the 2002 Olympics, it barely mentions anything about women's champion, Sarah Hughes. Apparently she is being shunned for choosing to go to college rather than skate in a professional show tour. There is some criticism of Michelle Kwan for not going pro after the 2002 Olympics.
Rating:
Summary: one long newspaper article
Review: There wasn't much in this book that I hadn't heard about already. The authors appear afraid to give a direct opinion about anything or anyone. This book is filled with vacant platitudes and fluff quotes, such as on pg. 115 from Kristy Yamagucci, "There were some good events and some bad ones, but at the time they all seemed good..." There isn't any further elaboration on what she meant by "good" or "bad".
Scott Hamilton wants to complain that people aren't interested in pro-skating anymore, but refuses to admit it's because it's boring. What he calls "artisty" is over the top queerness to most people, even skating fans. Eligible skating is just more interesting for most to watch- for the same reasons that no one watches exhibition football or baseball games. While much of this books focuses on the 2002 Olympics, it barely mentions anything about women's champion, Sarah Hughes. Apparently she is being shunned for choosing to go to college rather than skate in a professional show tour. There is some criticism of Michelle Kwan for not going pro after the 2002 Olympics.
Rating: 
Summary: Strong background on the current state of figure skating
Review: This book was clearly prompted by the pairs skating debacle at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. Strong background on the promotion powerhouses that drive the elite level of the sport (likened to the studio system of Hollywood.) Lund provides a balanced framework in an essay format to let readers draw their own conclusions as to the future of the sport. Good quotes from skaters voicing opinions on both sides of the issues. An insightful retrospective on why skating went from double digit TV ratings in 1994 after the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding scandal with umpteen made for TV pseudo competitions to the present state of a nearly non-existant professional figure skating circuit.
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