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Summary: The Concrete Wave Up For American Libarary Association Award
Review: The Concrete Wave has been nominated for a "Quick Pick 2000" Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).The committee annually chooses a list of outstanding titles, which will stimulate the interest of reluctant teen readers. The list is intended for the teenager who, for whatever reason, does not like to read. The books chosen for the list are for recreational reading. All teenagers who have read the book can email their comments to Diana Herald (dherald @wic.net), who is the Administrative Assisant on the committee. I am honored to receive this nomination. The winners will be announced in early 2000. Michael Brooke December 1999
Rating: 
Summary: A book that truly captures the heart of skateboarding
Review: The Concrete Wave is a great book. It reminded me that, as a 30-something skater, my sport has a history worthy of making a good read. This book gets to the heart of it all. This is not an encyclopedia, it's not a technical analysis, it is a darn fine book about where we came from and proves that skateboarding has the stamina to withstand the comers and goers. If you have any interest in skateboarding at all, I suggest that you read this book. What I really like about it is that it is not written in the "I'm so cool look at me" style of some other skate books written by self-proclaimed industry insiders. If you're looking for attitude, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a great objective read about the sport of skateboarding's forefathers and the key happenings of past decades (and recent years!), I say give this book a try. You will only come out with more knowledge than you had before. And this is all we can ask of any book. (Plus, the photos are killer in some parts!)
Rating: 
Summary: A well-written, informative and entertaining read!
Review: The Concrete Wave is a solid effort at documenting the history of skateboarding. It is well written, easy to read, easy on the eyes and includes many first-hand accounts and previously unpublished (as far as I know) tales from the inside of skateboarding's past. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to skate as much as I do -- both young and old. I can tell from the other reviews that everybody else loves this books as well (except for one lone, inexplicable dissenter?!). I particularly liked the historical views of those skate decks. Brought back a lot of great memories.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: The Concrete Wave Being a skateboarder myself, I thought this was a great book. I think anybody who wants to know something about skating, the history of it and its's roots, this is the book for you. I think this book could be a great resource for a report for school or something. I recommend this book!!!
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Summary: Early History of Skateboarding
Review: This 1999 book is more like a bunch of 'zines stitched together than a straightforward histroy of skateboarding: There are lots of sidebars, numerous authors and topics, full-page illustrations that look like ads, and unexpected excursions into such areas as "Skateboards at the Movies." Still, there's a lot of love within this book. Those of you who enjoyed the recent documentary, "Dogtown and the Z-Boys," will find a similar fan/participant enthusiasm here. The early years are emphasized: The index lists Tony Hawk on only about 10 pages, and the X-games on only 4 pages. Still, for a chronicle of (especially) the early years of skateboarding, for its photos, density of information, and the enthusiasm of the writers, this is a good book for the skateboarding fan. 197 pages of text, an index, lots of photos, and five interesting appendices: "Pros of the Last 40 Years," "Skateboards at the Movies," "Skateboard Competitions (through 1993 only)," "Memorable Skateparks of North America," and "Skate 'Zines." What's really needed is an updated version of the book.
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Summary: IF YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD BOOK YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING
Review: This book follows in the footsteps of many of the inaccurate histories of our beloved activity and lifestyle. It does have some cool lists and facts, but as usual it looks like it's made for a 3rd grader and does not get many of the facts straight. The pictures are bad quality, mostly corny and the stories the same. If you are really desperate some of the info is good, but for the real heart of skateboarding THIS IS NOT IT. I would love to see a great book made on this but as usual you have what looks like an author who has good intentions and a publisher who just wants to make money and a designer that knows nothing about the subject matter. this book pretty much stinks. AND THAT'S THE TRUTH !
Rating:
Summary: badly jaded book
Review: This book grew out of author Brooke's work on the SkateGeezer web site, and while it does do a pretty decent job at recounting the history of skateboarding, it suffers badly from shoddy editing and poor design. The book is divided into the four "waves" of skating (1959-65, 1973-80, 1983-91, 1993-present), each of which has a one or two page introduction, followed by a mix of pieces on the technological developments, interviews, random skater stories, and company profiles and histories. This format makes it easy to pick up and flip through, reading here and there at random (much like a Web site), but if you read it cover to cover, it's not very cohesive. The book is probably strongest in detailing the progression and development of various manufacturing techniques and materials in making boards, the section on urethane wheels is especially good. Where it's weakest is in dealing with some of the "cultural" components of skating. For example, references are made to tension between "skate and destroy" and "skate to create" philosophies of skating, but what those terms mean isn't explained very well. The book could use considerable editing, as some of the pieces seem to be lifted straight from hastily written e-mails, there are a number of typos, and the apostrophe is consistently misused. I can live with those things in a DIY 'zine, but in a $20 book, it's unacceptable. The photos are a mixed bag, with the older 70s stuff being pretty interesting, but most of the newer stuff being sub par. The book's overall design is a joke, it's hands down, the most poorly designed full color book I've ever seen. It's amazing that a publisher would fork out the considerable money required to print a full color book, and then turn something out where the typography, use of photos, graphics, screens, and sidebars, looks like a 10-year old was running the show. If it was properly edited, reorganized, and totally redesigned, then I would consider it a book worth getting, otherwise I'd suggest snaking a friend's copy if you must read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Ok History, Wack Design + Organization
Review: This book grew out of author Brooke's work on the SkateGeezer web site, and while it does do a pretty decent job at recounting the history of skateboarding, it suffers badly from shoddy editing and poor design. The book is divided into the four "waves" of skating (1959-65, 1973-80, 1983-91, 1993-present), each of which has a one or two page introduction, followed by a mix of pieces on the technological developments, interviews, random skater stories, and company profiles and histories. This format makes it easy to pick up and flip through, reading here and there at random (much like a Web site), but if you read it cover to cover, it's not very cohesive. The book is probably strongest in detailing the progression and development of various manufacturing techniques and materials in making boards, the section on urethane wheels is especially good. Where it's weakest is in dealing with some of the "cultural" components of skating. For example, references are made to tension between "skate and destroy" and "skate to create" philosophies of skating, but what those terms mean isn't explained very well. The book could use considerable editing, as some of the pieces seem to be lifted straight from hastily written e-mails, there are a number of typos, and the apostrophe is consistently misused. I can live with those things in a DIY 'zine, but in a $20 book, it's unacceptable. The photos are a mixed bag, with the older 70s stuff being pretty interesting, but most of the newer stuff being sub par. The book's overall design is a joke, it's hands down, the most poorly designed full color book I've ever seen. It's amazing that a publisher would fork out the considerable money required to print a full color book, and then turn something out where the typography, use of photos, graphics, screens, and sidebars, looks like a 10-year old was running the show. If it was properly edited, reorganized, and totally redesigned, then I would consider it a book worth getting, otherwise I'd suggest snaking a friend's copy if you must read it.
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Summary: concrete wave
Review: this book was kick [rear].If you want to learn your skateboard history this book is perfect for doing so.
Rating:
Summary: Great piece
Review: This is a great book that covers skateboarding's history not only in the US but all over the world.
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