Two Planks and a Passion: The Dramatic History of Skiing

Two Planks and a Passion: The Dramatic History of Skiing

by RolandHuntford (Author)

Synopsis

Predating the wheel, the ski has played an important role in our history. This is brilliantly brought to life in this engaging book. Roland Huntford's brilliant history begins 20,000 years ago in the last ice age on the icy tundra of an unformed earth. Man is a travelling animal, and on these icy slopes skiing began as a means of survival. That it has developed into the leisure and sporting pursuit of choice by so much of the globe bears testament to its elemental appeal. In polar exploration, it has changed the course of history. Elsewhere, in war and peace, it has done so too. The origins of skiing are bound up in with the emergence of modern man and the world we live in today.

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More Information

Format: Illustrated
Pages: 454
Edition: Illustrated
Publisher: Continuum
Published: 10 Sep 2009

ISBN 10: 1441134018
ISBN 13: 9781441134011

Media Reviews
'Huntford manages to bind a wealth of material together with a strong narrative thread.' The Independent on Sunday 'What elevates Huntford is his comprehensive approach... accessible and enjoyable, even to the most armchair bound of 'schussers'.' The Times 'The most in-depth study of skiing currently in the English language and it will no doubt remain the defining record for some time.' The Guardian 'This will be skiing's definitive history for years to come' Times Literary Supplement
Author Bio
Roland Huntford is is the world's foremost authority on the polar expeditions and their protagonists. The biographer of Shackleton and Nansen, his other books include Scott and Amundsen. He was the Scandinavian correspondent on The Observer for many years.