Rating: 
Summary: Firsthand accounts...
Review: ...of Big Wave surfing - many of the stories are haunting and memorable. It was hard putting the book down once I started reading. I actually found it more interesting and insightful than watching film of surfers going over the edge - you actually get into their excitement, awe, and fear of what they've gotten themselves into - not only when they've caught the waves, but gut-wrenching accounts of what they were thinking and feeling when driven under (or saw their friends driven under) by these monsters.This is as close as you're going to get, short of paddling out yourself! BTW, I just finished reading "Caught Inside" before "The Big Drop" and reading these stories made reading CI seem like a waste of time. You won't regret reading this one - highly recommended!!!
Rating:
Summary: A must read.....
Review: A must read for any and all surfers. This is a history book as well as a collection of surf adventures. Ever wonder what a monster wave feels like? These stories will send an occasional chill through your body with it's descriptions.
Rating:
Summary: This book Rips
Review: I am a grom, at the age of 17 right now, and I rarely read a book cover to cover.I've always been interested in big wave surfing, but never the old timer stuff. This book has revealed the truth about riding big waves in and interesting perspective to the new generation such as myself, and I will never forget some of the stories in here. I reccomend that if you're a surfer, and are even remotely interested in attempting to tackle large surf, that you pick up this book. It will give you second thoughts about venturing out at places like Mavericks, Waimaii Bay, and Todos Santos.
Rating: 
Summary: historical
Review: John Long cronicles events in big wave riding history. In reporting on the epic 1974 SMIRNOFF contest he repeats a inaccurate version of what happened early that morning. The fantasized version of what happened that morning first turned up in Hakmans book by Phil Jarratt. I wish Long had talk to me about it. In the interest of honest history here is what really happened. Fred Hemmings was ANXIOUS to stage the event in the biggest surf ever. Veteran Peter Cole was chiding Fred "not send send the surfers out, someone would get killed" Some contestants were reluctant and begining to balk. Hemmings challenged the competitors...saying if he (Hemmings) went out and snagged a thundering mountain of water to prove it could be done, would they compete? The rest is history. For the record I probably would not have gone out...it was to big. The bluff worked and the contest was held in the biggest surf ever. Unfortunately LONG repeats a inaccurate version of what happened. Aloha, Fred Hemmings References; Randy Rarick, Mark Richards and others who were there.
Rating:
Summary: Get inside the Big Wave Surfing Culture
Review: Not just a surfing book but focusing on the Big Wave surfing crew, that elite group of athletes that live to challenge the ocean's fury. This is a collection of short stories but it does a great job of covering the total history of Big Wave surfing, particularly paying attention to the heroes of the 50s and 60s the water skills necessary to challenge large waves. With complete coverage and analysis of all big wave sites and legends, I can't imagine what it left unturned. This exciting sport has elevated itself recently with "ski in" surfing and these stories do a great job of covering the controversy of this sport's growth and it's trailblazer, Laird Hamilton. I strongly recommend this book if you like surfing or are enthralled by the culture of these people who devote their lives to the ocean.
Rating:
Summary: Get inside the Big Wave Surfing Culture
Review: Not just a surfing book but focusing on the Big Wave surfing crew, that elite group of athletes that live to challenge the ocean's fury. This is a collection of short stories but it does a great job of covering the total history of Big Wave surfing, particularly paying attention to the heroes of the 50s and 60s the water skills necessary to challenge large waves. With complete coverage and analysis of all big wave sites and legends, I can't imagine what it left unturned. This exciting sport has elevated itself recently with "ski in" surfing and these stories do a great job of covering the controversy of this sport's growth and it's trailblazer, Laird Hamilton. I strongly recommend this book if you like surfing or are enthralled by the culture of these people who devote their lives to the ocean.
Rating:
Summary: Props for the original extreme sport
Review: Provides great insight on the pioneers of the sport, but doesn't come across like a history lesson. It makes you understand the ballz it takes to paddle into a wave the size of an apartment building, along with the consequences those guys have faced. Thoroughly enjoyable for non-surfers too. My dad has never been on a board and he couldn't put the book down.
Rating:
Summary: Props for the original extreme sport
Review: Provides great insight on the pioneers of the sport, but doesn't come across like a history lesson. It makes you understand the ballz it takes to paddle into a wave the size of an apartment building, along with the consequences those guys have faced. Thoroughly enjoyable for non-surfers too. My dad has never been on a board and he couldn't put the book down.
Rating: 
Summary: Big wave surfing will blow your mind.
Review: Surf culture meets extreme sports at the top of a three-story wave, where a surfer stands on his board and takes the Big Drop down a titanic face into ultimate adventure. Success brings surging adrenaline and a thirst for more; the price of failure under tons of crashing water can be brutal, and possible fatal. This gripping collection of 32 stories puts you right on the face of the world's biggest waves, an experience you'll never forget. Awesome photos too!
Rating:
Summary: As close as you can get without dropping in yourself
Review: The stories that comprise this book cover a variety of eras, locations, and players in the arena of big wave surfing. For anyone who wants to know more about the obession of those who commit themselves down the face of monsterous, capably murderous waves, and go beyond that virtually feeling the air and water rushing around you in the midst of ocean mayhem, this book will deliver. An awesome read.
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