Scarred for Life: Eleven Stories About Skateboarders

By Keith David Hamm

Book Overview

Skateboarding is a means of transport, a pastime, a lifestyle, an artful expression, and an ethos. Some even call it a sport. But until now, the scene has lacked an appropriate -- and accessible -- tribute. Scarred for Life is an intimate, you-are-there look into the culture and history of skateboarding, as told through the voices and experiences of those who have dedicated their lives to riding a wooden plank with wheels. Eleven chapters take readers on a wild ride through the evolution (and revolution) of skateboarding -- reaching as far back as the 1950s -- and includes oral histories and terrain reports of the major styles and techniques as they emerged. One hundred dynamic photographs capture skaters doing what they do best in pools and pipes, on hills, ramps, streets, and skateparks. From the early proving grounds of California hills and pools to the chaotic streets of modern New York City, Scarred for Life offers street-level talk and eye-to-eye truth-telling about skateboarders, scars and all.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811840530
• ISBN13: 9780811840538
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 2.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.6" x 0.9" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Scarred....

When I read this book for the first time I thought it was a history of skateboarding type book, but I was wrong. It is a book of stories about the people who made skateboarding history!! Keith Hamm did a great job writing this book. He uncovered info that I had never knew or even thought of. I am waiting for more from Keith Hamm especially about Jay Adams and more pool skateing. Yeah!!! Get a copy and read it for yourself. It is a good edition to a skate library. Team AM approved!!

excellent look at the culture

This book is obviously written by someone who not only knows how to tell a good story, do a good interview, and find interesting people, it's really written by someone who KNOWS what he's talking about and knows how to translate it to others, this is a great book on skateboarding culture. The Jay Adams story alone is worth the price.

Scarred for Life

Finally a skateboard book that did it's research. Amazing photo's and a good read. This is definetly a must have book. It's nice to see skateboarders that have been true to the sport finally get some photo's in print. Skateboarding is a lifestyle to most not just a thing to do because everyones doing it. Keith really did his homework. Good job!