Two Words, One Answer.
Dorothy Hamill
 A Skating Life: My Story $24.95 Hamill has an interesting life and story but you'd never know it from reading this book. Everything from her fairly meteoric rise in the skating world to her marriages, bankruptcy, physical and emotional issues . . . it's a tale that should be fascinating. However, as described in this book, it isn't and that's due to the way the story is told. First, Hamill uses short, choppy sentences that make the book read like something intended for a second-grader -- I finished second at x event. I worked harder. To my surprise, I won the next event. Few complex sentences and even less dialogue. Second, the book reads like a narrative -- I did this and then this happened and then I did this and then that happened. Events that should pack a tremendous emotional punch (the sudden death of her first husband, the financial betrayal and infidelity of her second, etc.) just don't. Rather than letting the reader see how she feels through exposition, she simply tells us -- e.g., "I was depressed." The best part of the book is probably the first chapter -- when she discusses her mother not being present for her Olympic victory. In that chapter, she takes a brief moment in time and expounds on it. In my view, the book would have been better and more enjoyable if she'd done that with other moments. Rather than simply running through her life, if she'd taken specific moments of importance and really focused on them. For example, she talks about the time when someone stole her skates. However, other than telling us the culprit was never found, we don't really understand what if any anguish this caused. Did she suspect someone? Did it throw off her performance? Was she devastated or did she shake it off? Did things like this happen to her at other times? Did it cause her to lose confidence in the "system?" This one moment could have been interesting but just became another way station on her life's journey and the reader is largely left to guess whether this was a major or minor event in her life. Finally, I had the impression that she didn't want to "hurt" anyone by saying anything negative about them. In a sense, I applaud that. But great people can have bad moments or moments of weakness and, sometimes, relaying one of them and yet still emphasizing all the good, makes the person more human. She did that with her mother but not with the many others who passed along her way, such as coaches, competitors, etc. Hamill should have so many unique insights into the skating world -- all the good and bad -- about rising to the top, judging, ice shows, etc. In my view, it all gets glossed over, leaving the reader feeling a bit empty and wishing for what the book could have been. That said, if you like Hamill and want an update on her life, this is it. It's inspirational and a quick, interesting read. It simply could have been much better.  Mannheim Steamroller - The Christmas Angel: A Story on Ice $19.97 This DVD is now a Christmas standard in our family. I bought it originally just being a Chip Davis fan. But this year I bought a second copy for the gkids to have. Most of the adults in the family will sit and watch it. Though basically a fairy tale, this movie actually includes a family setting and the reading the story. Having Olympic skaters is just a stroke of genius. They do a great job.  Dorothy Hamill Olympic Skater February 2 1976 Time Magazine Fabulous Beautiful Condition Professionally Matted Cover 11 X 14 Inch Size Delivered Ready For Framing $14.95 We have available most Time, Life, Newsweek and Literary Digest magazines that feature sports athletes, celebrities, movie stars, and famous historical people on their covers. ALL ARE GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC VINTAGE & ORIGINAL. WE DO NOT SELL REPRINTS, PHOTO COPIES OR ANYTHING ELSE NOT VINTAGE & ORIGINAL. The name of the person pictured on the cover of this issue of Time Magazine and the date of this issue is stated in the title as well as seen in the scan provided. In absolutely beautiful excellent-mint condition, this Time Magazine issue's cover has no rips, tears, or creases. This is the original Time Magazine cover professionally matted to a size of 11 inches X 14 inches. This cover will be delivered to you ready for framing in office, home or business. We specialize in authentic original vintage advertisement pieces, vintage matted magazines, and other memorabilia that are ready for framing or display. |
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