Step off the ice and into stories where figure skating’s elegance is immortalized in print.
Experience the blend of artistry and ambition through tales that reveal the backstage world of glittering routines and personal triumphs.
Ready to skate through the pages of the most captivating figure skating tales?
Best Figure Skating Books:
- The Complete Book of Figure Skating
- A Skating Life: My Story
- Figure Skating: A History
- Inside Edge: A Revealing Journey into the Secret World of Figure Skating
- Landing It: My Life On and Off the Ice
- Conditioning for Figure Skating: Off-Ice Techniques for On-Ice Performance
- The Second Mark: Courage, Corruption, and the Battle for Olympic Gold
- Only with Passion: Figure Skating’s Most Winning Champion on Competition and Life
- Skating on Air: The Broadcast History of an Olympic Marquee Sport
- Edge of Glory: The Inside Story of the Quest for Figure Skatings Olympic Gold Medals
- Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion
Table of Contents
- #1 The Complete Book of Figure Skating
- #2 A Skating Life: My Story
- #3 Figure Skating: A History
- #4 Inside Edge: A Revealing Journey into the Secret World of Figure Skating
- #5 Landing It: My Life On and Off the Ice
- #6 Conditioning for Figure Skating: Off-Ice Techniques for On-Ice Performance
- #7 The Second Mark: Courage, Corruption, and the Battle for Olympic Gold
- #8 Only with Passion: Figure Skating’s Most Winning Champion on Competition and Life
- #9 Skating on Air: The Broadcast History of an Olympic Marquee Sport
- #10 Edge of Glory: The Inside Story of the Quest for Figure Skatings Olympic Gold Medals
- #11 Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion
- FAQ
#1 The Complete Book of Figure Skating
- ✍️ Author: Carole Shulman
- 📆 Year Published: 2002
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching, Biographies and Autobiographies
“The Complete Book of Figure Skating” offers an extensive look into the technical and artistic aspects of the sport. Author Carole Shulman provides insights from a coaching perspective, sharing techniques, training tips, and an exploration of figure skating history.
Ideal for coaches and skaters alike, this guide illuminates the intricacies of the sport, from jumps and spins to choreography and competition preparation. It’s a comprehensive resource that helps readers understand the dedication required for figure skating mastery, both on and off the ice.
#2 A Skating Life: My Story
- ✍️ Author: Dorothy Hamill
- 📆 Year Published: 2007
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies
In “A Skating Life: My Story,” Olympic gold medalist Dorothy Hamill recounts her journey from a young skating enthusiast to a figure skating legend. This autobiography is a heartfelt memoir that goes beyond the glitz and glamour of the sport, revealing personal challenges and triumphs.
Hamill’s story is one of perseverance, touching on her battles with depression while capturing the sheer joy that skating brought to her life. It’s a candid and inspirational tale that shows the human side of achieving athletic greatness.
#3 Figure Skating: A History
- ✍️ Author: James R. Hines
- 📆 Year Published: 2006
- 📘 Genre: History
“Figure Skating: A History” by James R. Hines delves deep into the past to trace the evolution of figure skating from its rudimentary beginnings to becoming a highly esteemed Olympic sport.
This historical narrative covers diverse aspects, including the development of skating technology, changes in style and technique, and the rise of international competitions. Hines provides a meticulously researched account that’s enriching for historians and skating enthusiasts eager to understand the sport’s storied past and its cultural significance.
#4 Inside Edge: A Revealing Journey into the Secret World of Figure Skating
- ✍️ Author: Christine Brennan
- 📆 Year Published: 1997
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies, History
“Inside Edge” by Christine Brennan is an eye-opening book that exposes the darker side of figure skating—its fierce rivalries, intense pressures, and behind-the-scenes drama.
As one of the leading sports journalists, Brennan shares first-hand accounts and investigative findings about what happens in this competitive world. The book provides a vivid portrayal of the figure skating elite and the challenges athletes face, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the hidden complexities of the sport.
#5 Landing It: My Life On and Off the Ice
- ✍️ Author: Scott Hamilton
- 📆 Year Published: 1999
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies
“Landing It: My Life On and Off the Ice” is Scott Hamilton’s autobiographical account of his life as an Olympic champion and a professional skater.
In this inspiring narrative, Hamilton shares his struggles with a congenital illness, overcoming the odds to achieve global recognition and his subsequent battles with cancer. It’s a story of resilience, humor, and the love of figure skating that highlights Hamilton’s role as both an athlete and a survivor.
#6 Conditioning for Figure Skating: Off-Ice Techniques for On-Ice Performance
- ✍️ Author: Carl Poe
- 📆 Year Published: 2002
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
In “Conditioning for Figure Skating,” Carl Poe uses his expertise to link off-ice conditioning with on-ice performance. This book is a specialized guide for skaters and coaches who aim to enhance strength, flexibility, and stamina.
It includes workout plans, nutritional advice, and injury prevention strategies. Ideal for athletes at all levels, this instructional book serves as an essential resource for optimal physical preparation in figure skating.
#7 The Second Mark: Courage, Corruption, and the Battle for Olympic Gold
- ✍️ Author: Joy Goodwin
- 📆 Year Published: 2004
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies, History
“The Second Mark” by Joy Goodwin offers a riveting account of the scandal that overshadowed the 2002 Winter Olympics pairs skating competition. The book introduces readers to the personal lives, struggles, and feats of the three pairs of skaters who stood at the heart of a controversial judging decision.
Goodwin’s compelling storytelling transforms this Olympic event into a human drama, exploring themes of ambition, fairness, and the profound effects of a single moment in the spotlight of international sports.
#8 Only with Passion: Figure Skating’s Most Winning Champion on Competition and Life
- ✍️ Author: Katarina Witt
- 📆 Year Published: 2005
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies
In “Only with Passion,” two-time Olympic gold medalist Katarina Witt shares her insights on figure skating and life. Witt reflects on her storied career, including her experiences growing up in East Germany and her rise to the top of the skating world.
Her memoir encourages readers, especially young girls and athletes, to pursue their passions with courage and tenacity. The book is an inspiring account of determination and the pursuit of excellence on the ice and in life’s endeavors.
#9 Skating on Air: The Broadcast History of an Olympic Marquee Sport
- ✍️ Author: Kelli Lawrence
- 📆 Year Published: 2011
- 📘 Genre: History
“Skating on Air” by Kelli Lawrence explores the intertwined history of figure skating and television.
The book examines how TV broadcasts have changed the perception of the sport, influenced its technical evolution, and molded the public persona of its stars. Lawrence’s work offers a detailed account of how figure skating has captivated audiences, making it perfect for readers interested in the media side of the sporting world and its impact on both athletes and fans.
#10 Edge of Glory: The Inside Story of the Quest for Figure Skatings Olympic Gold Medals
- ✍️ Author: Christine Brennan
- 📆 Year Published: 1998
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies, History
Christine Brennan’s “Edge of Glory” gives an intimate look at the high-stakes world of Olympic figure skating. Following athletes from around the globe, Brennan captures the exhausting road to the 1998 Winter Olympics, detailing the drama, sacrifices, and exhilaration synonymous with pursuing the ultimate prize.
The book provides behind-the-scenes access to the athletes’ lives, making it a gripping read that chronicles the personal cost of Olympic dreams and the unyielding quest for excellence.
#11 Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion
- ✍️ Author: Michelle Kwan and Laura James
- 📆 Year Published: 1997
- 📘 Genre: Youth and High School Figure Skating, Biographies and Autobiographies
“Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion” is an autobiography geared towards young readers, chronicling Kwan’s journey as a figure skater. In her own words, Kwan shares the highs and lows, the discipline, and the dreams that shaped her path to becoming one of the sport’s most decorated athletes.
The book serves as an inspirational read, showcasing Kwan’s grace on the ice and her dedication to the sport, providing younger audiences with a relatable role model and a glimpse into the making of a champion.
FAQ
What are the best Figure Skating books of all time?
“The Complete Book of Figure Skating” by Carole Shulman, “Figure Skating for Dummies” by Kristi Yamaguchi, “Inside Edge: A Revealing Journey into the Secret World of Figure Skating” by Christine Brennan, “Ice Time: A Tale of Fathers, Sons, and Hometown Heroes” by Jay Atkinson, and “A Skating Life: My Story” by Dorothy Hamill are the best Figure Skating books of all time. Each book offers unique insights into the sport, from instructional content to personal narratives from figure skating legends.
What is the best Figure Skating book for adults?
“The Second Mark: Courage, Corruption, and the Battle for Olympic Gold” by Joy Goodwin is the best Figure Skating book for adults, delving into the scandal and drama behind the Olympic competitions.
What are the best books for Figure Skating fundamentals and strategy?
“The Complete Book of Figure Skating” by Carole Shulman and “Figure Skating for Dummies” by Kristi Yamaguchi are the best books for Figure Skating fundamentals and strategy, providing readers with essential techniques, tips, and understanding of the sport’s complexities.