Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: She tells it like it is... Review: As a figure skater this book was really interesting for me. It brought out all the negative things about skating (the early morning practices, pressure to do well, AIDS, homosexuality, and the extremem competitivness of the sport) and put them out for the world to see. But the book also showed the positive things about skating, showing why people are captivated and why skaters put themselves through the pain and pressure just to skate and be number one. The book gave me a new perspective on the sport that I love and will give up anything to be a part of. I know now about the good and the bad, and that gives me a good perspective, not just focusing on the good or just not on the bad, this book gives what feels like a one-on-one chat with the reader examining this ever perplexing sport.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A must for all skaters! Review: As a figure skater this book was really interesting for me. It brought out all the negative things about skating (the early morning practices, pressure to do well, AIDS, homosexuality, and the extremem competitivness of the sport) and put them out for the world to see. But the book also showed the positive things about skating, showing why people are captivated and why skaters put themselves through the pain and pressure just to skate and be number one. The book gave me a new perspective on the sport that I love and will give up anything to be a part of. I know now about the good and the bad, and that gives me a good perspective, not just focusing on the good or just not on the bad, this book gives what feels like a one-on-one chat with the reader examining this ever perplexing sport.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: one of the best books I have ever read Review: As someone who has followed ice skating since Peggy Fleming's time I found this book fascinating. I have read it twice and now that the olympics are over I am getting ready to read it again. I found the chapter on Janet Lynn heart breaking. Beautifully written. I can't wait for the release of Ms. Brennan's new book.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A captivating, magical expose Review: Christine Brennan acheived magic with this riveting expose. It is a must for every figure skating fan, chock-full of inside stories and unknown tidbits of information. It profiles skating's top personalities and competitions in both the amateur and professional sides of the sport. Even if her opinions are different than yours, it is still a fascinating read. This is not just another figure skating book. If you like this, read Ms. Brennan's other book Edge of Glory, which is just as thrilling. You will love this book!
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: A distortion of the truth Review: Christine Brennan had the ultimate opportunity to write an inside report of the world of figure skating, but instead she wrote a book full of sensationalistic journalism.Opinions are passed as fact in Brennan's morphed view of figure skating. Unlike Beverley Smith, Brennan did not have much experience in figure skating when she began writing this book, and it shows. Her "revealing journey" is one of gossip and stretching the truth. Beverley Smith's "Talking Figure Skating" is the best alternative to "Inside Edge." Smith respects the sport much more than Brennan, and she is considerably less biased and opinionated. Take everything you read in "Inside Edge" with a large dose of salt.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Informative AND exciting, this book has it all!!!! Review: Christine Brennan is an exceptional writer, as this book is proof. As an avid figure skating fan, I expected 'Inside Edge' to be full of skating secrets and inside info, and it delivered. Wonderful tidbits from skating now and then. And the unusual scoring process of this sport was explained in full detail. I've read it twice, and I still want to read it more. Skating fans--this book is a MUST HAVE!!!!
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Don't Bother if You Value Accuracy and Truth Review: Christine Brennan obviously has a number of axes to grind with several members of the sport of figure skating. While her book is entertaining, I'm afraid that it is horrendously biased and smacks of pay-offs and vindictive gossip. Unfortunately, the readers that this book will most appeal to (namely those new to or outside of the sport, casual observers) are likely to accept Ms. Brennan's anecdotes as fact. For those of us that were there in many cases, or know those involved, this is a deplorable tabloid-istic smear essay. Don't bother.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: "Harding Had It All" Review: Christine Brennan put her Nothwestearn Journalism School education to good use. I was especially moved by the following passage: "Tonya Harding possessed more raw jumping talent than almost any of them. More than Kerrigan, Oksana Baiul, Michelle Kwan, Nicole Bobek, Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi, {or} Sonja Henie. Harding had it all." I never heard such words applied to Tonya Harding before this book. I also didn't know before this book that Nancy Kerrigan wasn't well liked. This book clearly shows that talent even unusual talent or skill doesn't compensate for hard work. If Tanya Harding had practiced and stayed in shape, she could have been famous instead of infamous!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: "Harding Had It All" Review: Christine Brennan put her Nothwestearn Journalism School education to good use. I was especially moved by the following passage: "Tonya Harding possessed more raw jumping talent than almost any of them. More than Kerrigan, Oksana Baiul, Michelle Kwan, Nicole Bobek, Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Kristi Yamaguchi, {or} Sonja Henie. Harding had it all." I never heard such words applied to Tonya Harding before this book. I also didn't know before this book that Nancy Kerrigan wasn't well liked. This book clearly shows that talent even unusual talent or skill doesn't compensate for hard work. If Tanya Harding had practiced and stayed in shape, she could have been famous instead of infamous!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Great book-how skating really is Review: I am a figure skater.Ms.Brennan really showed how the sport is.The sacrifices amd the joys.Not all teenage figure skaters are anorexic and depressed!I would reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys skating.
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