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Push Dick's Button: A Conversation on Skating from a Good Part of the Last Century--and a Little Tomfoolery by Dick Button
Everything many of us know about figure skating, we learned from the man who’s been called the “Voice of Figure Skating.” Now Dick Button, the Emmy Award-winning skating commentator famous for his precise, passionate, opinionated rinkside analyses and for his historic career as a two-time Olympic gold medalist, five-time World Champion, and seven-time U.S. Champion (plus being the inadvertent inventor of the flying camel, the first to successfully land a double Axel in competition, and the first ever to do a triple jump) demystifies this art and sport beloved by millions.
In Push Dick’s Button, you'll learn about the difference between a Lutz and a Salchow . . . performance highs and lows . . . memorable entrances, exits, and falls (including his own) . . . costume delights and disasters . . . the new judging rules . . . and nuggets of skating training and history, PLUS stories about Katarina Witt, Peggy Fleming, Johnny Weir, Brian Boitano, Dorothy Hamill, and more, including today’s champions, such as Evgeni Plushenko, Davis and White, and the latest sensations. Droll, dishy, dramatic, and dead-on, this book is like a one-on-one conversation with the man whose unsurpassed knowledge, experience, and love of figure skating have influenced generations.
In Push Dick’s Button, you'll learn about the difference between a Lutz and a Salchow . . . performance highs and lows . . . memorable entrances, exits, and falls (including his own) . . . costume delights and disasters . . . the new judging rules . . . and nuggets of skating training and history, PLUS stories about Katarina Witt, Peggy Fleming, Johnny Weir, Brian Boitano, Dorothy Hamill, and more, including today’s champions, such as Evgeni Plushenko, Davis and White, and the latest sensations. Droll, dishy, dramatic, and dead-on, this book is like a one-on-one conversation with the man whose unsurpassed knowledge, experience, and love of figure skating have influenced generations.
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First published December 9, 2013
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About the author
Dick Button
6 booksRichard Totten Button was an American figure skater and skating analyst. He was a two-time Olympic champion (1948, 1952) and five-time consecutive world champion (1948–1952). He was also the only non-European man to have become European champion. Button is credited as having been the first skater to successfully land the double Axel jump in competition in 1948, as well as the first triple jump of any kind – a triple loop – in 1952. He also invented the flying camel spin, which was originally known as the "Button camel". He "brought increased athleticism" to figure skating in the years following World War II. According to figure skating historian James R. Hines, Button represented the "American School" of figure skating, which was a more athletic style than skaters from Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 4, 2016
I've been skating for as long as I can remember, and, while I lost my double axel sometime in the early 2000's (double axel, you are a demon mistress, but maybe I'll get you back one of these days), I never lost my love for the sport. Growing up in the skating world, during the height of skating's popularity in the U.S., I was fortunate enough to see (and, occasionally, skate with) some incredibly talented skaters. I mean, have you ever watched Michelle Kwan perform an artistic program dressed like a Disney princess? You can imagine how much 12 year old me totally geeked out about that.
Anyway, Dick Button is a legend: he's pretty much the voice of figuring skating. And, while he can be opinionated, he obviously cares deeply about skating. This book seems cobbled together, which is too bad: as others have mentioned, it could use a ghostwriter or at least a better edit. But, once you get past that, it's pretty fun.
One of the major things Dick Button has been vocal about is the need to maintain the artistry of figure skating. He talks about legendary performances, such as Katarina Witt's long program at the 88 olympics at Calgary and Torvill and Dean's dance to Bolero in 84; these types of performances wouldn't fly amongst the technique-rich but artistry-poor programs we see today. And I agree that that's a bad thing. There's a reason why people got so up in arms about Adelina Sotnikova's gold medal performance in 2014: while it was technically demanding, I (and others) felt it lacked in artistry. See also: Tara Lipinski.
(And don't get me started on the judging system. Ain't nobody understand that shit, which is why you shouldn't put a speed skater in charge of the ISU.)
I'm firmly within the niche for this book and, while I found it fun, I wouldn't recommend it for a general audience (I'm still waiting on a book that gives a cultural history of the sport, a la Apollo's Angels: A History of Ballet). Still, skaters, former skaters, and skating parents will probably enjoy this romp through the skating world.
If you do read this, make sure to read it with a tab open to YouTube: trust me, you're going to want to watch some of these performances!
Anyway, Dick Button is a legend: he's pretty much the voice of figuring skating. And, while he can be opinionated, he obviously cares deeply about skating. This book seems cobbled together, which is too bad: as others have mentioned, it could use a ghostwriter or at least a better edit. But, once you get past that, it's pretty fun.
One of the major things Dick Button has been vocal about is the need to maintain the artistry of figure skating. He talks about legendary performances, such as Katarina Witt's long program at the 88 olympics at Calgary and Torvill and Dean's dance to Bolero in 84; these types of performances wouldn't fly amongst the technique-rich but artistry-poor programs we see today. And I agree that that's a bad thing. There's a reason why people got so up in arms about Adelina Sotnikova's gold medal performance in 2014: while it was technically demanding, I (and others) felt it lacked in artistry. See also: Tara Lipinski.
(And don't get me started on the judging system. Ain't nobody understand that shit, which is why you shouldn't put a speed skater in charge of the ISU.)
I'm firmly within the niche for this book and, while I found it fun, I wouldn't recommend it for a general audience (I'm still waiting on a book that gives a cultural history of the sport, a la Apollo's Angels: A History of Ballet). Still, skaters, former skaters, and skating parents will probably enjoy this romp through the skating world.
If you do read this, make sure to read it with a tab open to YouTube: trust me, you're going to want to watch some of these performances!
December 22, 2013
I hate giving this book a rating of three stars because Dick Button has so many interesting insights to share about figure skating. If you're looking for a biography, find an out of print copy of his previous book, "On Skates". Instead, this is more of a "conversation" where you imagine yourself sitting on his couch with his dogs while he discusses the state of skating today and what he has seen over the years. If you are looking for salacious stories, you won't find them here as the author treats his subjects respectfully and focuses on what they do on the ice, not off of it.
I don't mind the format at all but what I do mind is the absence of a decent editor. While I completely agree with the author about the beautiful position of Dorothy Hamill's back in a sit spin (achieving a backward z) and Michelle Kwan's beaming face when she performs an inside change of edge spiral, at about the third repetition, I started to lose interest and get annoyed.
As someone who needs reading glasses, I would have also preferred a large type face but that's a personal issue and did not impact my rating.
I don't mind the format at all but what I do mind is the absence of a decent editor. While I completely agree with the author about the beautiful position of Dorothy Hamill's back in a sit spin (achieving a backward z) and Michelle Kwan's beaming face when she performs an inside change of edge spiral, at about the third repetition, I started to lose interest and get annoyed.
As someone who needs reading glasses, I would have also preferred a large type face but that's a personal issue and did not impact my rating.
March 12, 2015
In this book, the esteemed Mr. Dick Button invites figure skating fans to sit on his couch (with the dogs), have a drink and some popcorn while discussing figure skating. He goes into detail about the history of the sport, the people he knew, how/why the judging system is the way it is and what needs to be done. I loved his commentary (most of the time) and I loved the Push Dick's Button segment featured on TV during the 2006 Olympics. I'm glad he finally got around to publishing this book. I learned a lot from his commentary and even more from this book. I agree with most everything he says (except Yu Na Kim, she's beautiful to watch compared to some of the other jumping bean girls). He states he doesn't want to get involved in the political aspect of the sport but if Dick Button set himself up as the "Il Duce" of the ISU, I don't think true skating enthusiasts would mind much. He's so wise and seen and done it all that I feel sad that the powers that be don't care about the sport as much as he does. If you are a true skating enthusiast and miss Dick's commentary, then buy this book. I'm hoping he gets around to volume 2!
March 23, 2014
Dick Button's self published book is a good example of someone who is passionate and knowledgeable about figure skating. It's also a good example, in my opinion, of someone who probably should have used a ghost writer or at least had someone write it "with" him. It's been described as "breezy." That's one way of putting it. I would have preferred a little less "breeze," but maybe that's just me. On the other hand, he did give a first rate analysis of the scoring system. Any reader who reads this book probably enjoys figure skating in one way or another. I'm strictly a fan. Perhaps in my "next life," I could come back with the kind of body that skates. In the meantime, I can only envy and enjoy. Those readers who know the story of the "scandals" involving judging know that the scoring system was changed. It was already moving towards more jumping and less artistry which was rather obvious during the recent Olympics. Button misses the days of pure artistry. I have to agree although in those days Americans often lost out to agreements between judges. I can remember an ice dancing team that ended it because they were constantly judged below their performance level. It was obvious to me as a rank amateur. They were told that they would have to wait their turn. Meanwhile, certain teams kept returning. Well, now they have a more fair scoring system except, according to Dick Button, it really isn't fair, and it's totally secret. There's no way to learn how individual judges scored. That doesn't seem fair to me. I enjoyed Mr. Button's reminiscing as well as some of the history he talked about as well as the photos included. While researching this book, I came across an short interview he did with the New York Times. It's too bad that NBC wanted someone "younger" to be commentators. While both Tara Lipinsky and Johnny Weir are outstanding skaters, I miss Dick Button's more erudite style. His educational background is obvious. So I admit to being a bit of a snob when it comes to style. Listening to Tara Lipinsky and Johnny Weir was, too often, like listening to two teenagers. The book is interesting for those of us who are hooked on ice skating. I hope to hear more from Mr. Button, but he is over 80 now.
March 8, 2014
Dick Button starts this book telling the reader that he wants to think about it as a conversation. And that's just what you get: his voice, asides (and asides within asides) and all.
This book requires no great amount of knowledge about the sport, but still provides plenty of insight and illumination to those of us who have been longtime fans. If you're still scratching your head about how Evan Lysaceck won the gold in Vancouver without a quad, or how Yuna Kim came in second in Sochi, the chapters on the current judging system, the COP, will help you understand.
Filled with plenty of humor, snark, and pointed commentary about the system and how to change it, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves figure skating.
This book requires no great amount of knowledge about the sport, but still provides plenty of insight and illumination to those of us who have been longtime fans. If you're still scratching your head about how Evan Lysaceck won the gold in Vancouver without a quad, or how Yuna Kim came in second in Sochi, the chapters on the current judging system, the COP, will help you understand.
Filled with plenty of humor, snark, and pointed commentary about the system and how to change it, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves figure skating.
March 27, 2019
This may be the best book on figure skating I have read, for its unmitigated honestly, humor, and volume of useful information. Written in a conversation style, Dick addresses readers as if we are sitting beside him, (and his pet dogs,) on the couch watching a live event; the man balances personal anecdotes with useful tips and history in ways I never would have thought possible. At times, his tone may come off as ‘know it all,” which is not really surprising, as I grew up listening to his insulting commentary on television. Button’s dislike of excessive “arm flailing,” the lack of “pointed toes,” non-tucked-in boot laces, and mid-program “wiggling” have always rubbed him the wrong way, and yet, he constantly reminds readers that these are the opinions of himself, and should not be taken as gospel truths. “Push Dick’s Button” excels in other ways; the commentary gets more entertaining and layered the deeper he gets. Most notable is the history of Professional skating, how instrumental Button was in starting this more-artistic, less-burdensome alternative to amateur skating (Pro skating is all but extinct in today’s day and age.) Even more eye-opening are the later chapters addressing the dirty politics behind the sport and the nonsensical decisions behind the new International Judging System (IJS). Chapter 13 “It’s Called Figure Skating But There Aren’t Any Figures” reveals the poor decision for the ISU to elect Octavio Cinquanta, speed skater who admitted to knowing nothing about figure skating, (god damn him.) The detailed and confusing rules to the new International Judging System are explained chapter 15. The book roars to a satisfying conclusion in chapter 19 “Where Do We Go Fro Here?” where Button suggests the ISU should split into two federations, a bold action I strongly agree with. While no leaps this big have been attempted by the governing body, Button’s convincing argument does make me more appreciative of the revised changes from late last year as an honorable attempt to restore artistry back to the sport. Another hard fact the last couple chapters addresses is that the sport has lost its luster since the 90s. Buttons’ plausible hypothesis is that the sport’s vanishing viewership is due to two reasons; first, the “improved” judging system established in part by Octavio Cinquanta, (him again,) was not enacted to eliminate cheating, but to prevent the mass media and viewers from FINDING OUT WHO did the cheating. The second reason for the sport’s decline is the lack of flair in many skaters’ performances; gone are the days of Michelle Kwan’s inside-outside edge smiling spiral and the grace and determination of Peggy Fleming and Alexi Yagudin. The last chapter has made me look long and hard at the recent stars Alysa Liu and Nathan Chen have have me wondering: “is the sport making a comeback?” Man, I sure hope so. “Push Dick’s Button” is an extremely interesting read for both longtime fans of the sport such as myself as well as those who have never had the pleasure of strapping on a pair of skates in their lives. Figure skating will always be unique in the world of sports, as Button eloquently puts it on page 240 “Skating gives us the opportunity to express and experience beauty. it’s a sport where beauty coexists with technical accomplishment.”
February 25, 2018
A disclaimer: I hate Dick Button. There's always been something about his commentary that grated on me and inspired much yelling at the television. When I had a chance to ice skate, one of the first things I did was mimic footage I'd seen of him, arms down, fingers twisted up.
So, to put it mildly, I haven't really gone looking for Dick Button's commentary in recent years. And yet I found myself wanting to read something substantial about skating, and lo, I stumbled upon this self-published book.
And, to my horror, I liked it.
Let's get the problems out of the way first: The book is self-published and indulges the author's imagination with a frequent asides to remind us that we're virtually at his house, on his couch, listening to him. There are some phrases that are very Dick Button (that is, coming across a bit pompous) and some content that makes this more a personal mini-biography, vs. a skating book.
But it's what is good that made up for this for me. Like it or not, Dick Button manages to remind the reader of the essentials of figure skating. He made me, for example, look for pointed toes, back position, and the quality of arm positions in this last Olympics--none of which I'd ever especially considered. He does give a great deal of insight into skating as history as well as sport (especially the politics of its skating union.) He also gives a great argument against the current point system, which, as he points out, is really a sham meant to make it easier to hide judging shenanigans.
So, much as Dick Button has been my historic nemesis.....I liked his book.
So, to put it mildly, I haven't really gone looking for Dick Button's commentary in recent years. And yet I found myself wanting to read something substantial about skating, and lo, I stumbled upon this self-published book.
And, to my horror, I liked it.
Let's get the problems out of the way first: The book is self-published and indulges the author's imagination with a frequent asides to remind us that we're virtually at his house, on his couch, listening to him. There are some phrases that are very Dick Button (that is, coming across a bit pompous) and some content that makes this more a personal mini-biography, vs. a skating book.
But it's what is good that made up for this for me. Like it or not, Dick Button manages to remind the reader of the essentials of figure skating. He made me, for example, look for pointed toes, back position, and the quality of arm positions in this last Olympics--none of which I'd ever especially considered. He does give a great deal of insight into skating as history as well as sport (especially the politics of its skating union.) He also gives a great argument against the current point system, which, as he points out, is really a sham meant to make it easier to hide judging shenanigans.
So, much as Dick Button has been my historic nemesis.....I liked his book.
Read
February 23, 2014Dishy breezy fun book about "figure" skating, with a good dose of technical explanations for lay folk. Among other things, he eviscerates the current (new) scoring system, and the leadership of the ISU. Did you know that the ISU runs both figure and speed skating, and has been headed by a speed skater for 40 years?!? At the end of the book, Button suggests that the ISU be divided in two and that competitions be changed to have a technical program and an artistic one (instead of short and long). Sounds eminently sensible to me.
August 13, 2016
A fun book- not a biography or an analysis, but more of an informal conversation with one of skating's elder statesmen. i enjoyed the stories of the early days of skating, and it's fun to contrast the differences between the Olympic games of the 1940s and 50s and of today. i don't always agree with his somewhat curmudgeonly opinions of modern skating, but it's a good book. a quick read and a must for skating fans.
December 29, 2013
Dick, I would give you five stars but there are a few grammatical errors that prevent me from doing so. However, you are a treasure, and one of my heroes. This book was indeed like sitting on the couch and gossiping with you, which is on my bucket list, sirrah.
Never change. Please.
Never change. Please.
April 24, 2024
Special interest for sure, but if you followed competitive figure skating in the 80’s or 90’s you will likely enjoy this book.
February 2, 2025
I heard a reference to this book when Button passed away, so decided to read it. The book itself would rate a 3; my total experience would be a 5 due to all the skating videos it led me to watch! I think this could have been enjoyable as an audiobook, because Button did describe it as a "conversation." At times, that got a bit hokey (and in need of someone to edit!), but it was certainly him!
I did watch several videos with his commentary, and know that I will be able to see more. I have been to many figure skating events, and also felt compelled to read this with the recent air tragedy. It is also ironic that I currently have a boot for a broken ankle, which feels a lot like an ice skating boot to me.
Button certainly calls out many people, and especially the current judging system. Fortunately, since he wrote the book, it does seem like skating is getting more air time, but his wish to separate figure skating from speed skating in the governing body has not happened.
I do know that when I watch figure skating in the future, I will think back to this book and some of the techniques that he admired. (and I still can't tell the jumps apart, even after his descriptions.)
I did watch several videos with his commentary, and know that I will be able to see more. I have been to many figure skating events, and also felt compelled to read this with the recent air tragedy. It is also ironic that I currently have a boot for a broken ankle, which feels a lot like an ice skating boot to me.
Button certainly calls out many people, and especially the current judging system. Fortunately, since he wrote the book, it does seem like skating is getting more air time, but his wish to separate figure skating from speed skating in the governing body has not happened.
I do know that when I watch figure skating in the future, I will think back to this book and some of the techniques that he admired. (and I still can't tell the jumps apart, even after his descriptions.)
June 8, 2021
This is not actually a memoir, more of a commentary on skating by someone who lived it. Dick Button was a first class skater, performer, television commentator, and producer. I always loved his take on the competitions and was relieved that he would always give his honest opinion rather than try to make the American skater seem the best or most interesting for tv ratings. The book is the same way. He tells it like it is (to him), by reliving great and not-so-great moments in skating that a fan would remember. I laughed out loud with some of the memories. Unfortunately, the book came out right after the "new" scoring system was implemented, and Button spends three chapters bitching about it. I get it, the new system is not fun for the viewer, but I feel he really got bogged down in this rant and it kind of spoiled the fun. Also, there are a LOT of typos and words left out or added, showing very poor editing.
June 15, 2018
As a figure skating fan and a fan of Button's commentary, I really enjoyed this book. There are interesting historical tidbits as well as some excellent commentary on the current state of figure skating. I would highly recommend this to any long-term skating fan.
November 17, 2022
An absolutely delightful, conversational book penned by one of the sport's biggest legends. Appreciate this book for what it is rather than bemoan what it isn't and you'll enjoy it so, so much.
December 28, 2017
About twenty years ago I was a member of an online chat room that focused on figure skating. Perhaps the most discussed person in that chat room was not an active skater but one who had won two Olympic gold medals half a century before and who was the expert commentator for ABC Sports’ coverage of the U.S., World, and Olympic figure skating championships.
Dick Button was, some might say, another Howard Cosell, loved and hated by millions of sports fans. Button’s comments about skaters and their programs were often quite caustic, but he was also generous with praise when he felt it warranted. One example of such a contrast was his commentaries on Christopher Bowman and Paul Wylie. While Bowman was generally more successful and popular than Wylie, and certainly more flamboyant in his jumping, Button often criticized Bowman for his lack of fundamentals while lauding Wylie for his sound skating. Bowman never won an Olympic medal and Button was vindicated when Wylie won a silver medal in the 1992 Olympic Winter Games.
What was clear in Button’s commentary was his love and passion for figure skating. That comes out strongly in this book. It is a love that fairly desires the grace and elegance of the past to join with the athleticism of the present to make figure skating the popular sport (and art) it used to be.
Button is very critical of the present judging system and of the hierarchy that established it, those who rule figure skating through the International Skating Union but were never involved in figure skating. (Such has been the case for more than forty years.)
The book is set up as a cozy evening of munchies on the couch, perhaps watching skating on television or maybe in front of a roaring fire. His dogs add to the homey atmosphere. Unfortunately, Button’s extended tirades detract from it. While it is assumed that his ”guests” are figure skating fans, some may be more casual than fanatic and his passion is not always contagious. Indeed, I began the “evening” looking forward to reminiscing about past skaters and performances. One commentary of his I wanted to read about was of the 1994 Goodwill Games performance of pairs skaters Mishkutenok & Dmitriev. In it Button used the word “wonderful” at least half a dozen times, but even more telling was his praise of them concerning what we read often in this book, what skating is all about: “a lean of the body, an edge.” Oh, how I would have loved to have read his thoughts and feelings about that performance almost 25 years later.
While my final rating of the book will not be as high as I had hoped it would be, I must say one final word about Button. Perhaps the most important factor in his commentaries about programs and performers is one he never spoke of on the air (at least I never heard him say it). That factor is whether figure skating is a better sport because of that skater, that performance. I never saw many of the skaters Button mentioned, but of the ones I did see, my favorites who I believe did make a positive and lasting impact on figure skating were Janet Lynn, Torvill and Dean, Mishkutenok & Dmitriev, and Toller Cranston. But I must add one more to the list, a skater I never saw skate, but who taught millions, like me, about figure skating and passed his love of skating on to us: Dick Button.
Three stars leaning with an edge upward.
Dick Button was, some might say, another Howard Cosell, loved and hated by millions of sports fans. Button’s comments about skaters and their programs were often quite caustic, but he was also generous with praise when he felt it warranted. One example of such a contrast was his commentaries on Christopher Bowman and Paul Wylie. While Bowman was generally more successful and popular than Wylie, and certainly more flamboyant in his jumping, Button often criticized Bowman for his lack of fundamentals while lauding Wylie for his sound skating. Bowman never won an Olympic medal and Button was vindicated when Wylie won a silver medal in the 1992 Olympic Winter Games.
What was clear in Button’s commentary was his love and passion for figure skating. That comes out strongly in this book. It is a love that fairly desires the grace and elegance of the past to join with the athleticism of the present to make figure skating the popular sport (and art) it used to be.
Button is very critical of the present judging system and of the hierarchy that established it, those who rule figure skating through the International Skating Union but were never involved in figure skating. (Such has been the case for more than forty years.)
The book is set up as a cozy evening of munchies on the couch, perhaps watching skating on television or maybe in front of a roaring fire. His dogs add to the homey atmosphere. Unfortunately, Button’s extended tirades detract from it. While it is assumed that his ”guests” are figure skating fans, some may be more casual than fanatic and his passion is not always contagious. Indeed, I began the “evening” looking forward to reminiscing about past skaters and performances. One commentary of his I wanted to read about was of the 1994 Goodwill Games performance of pairs skaters Mishkutenok & Dmitriev. In it Button used the word “wonderful” at least half a dozen times, but even more telling was his praise of them concerning what we read often in this book, what skating is all about: “a lean of the body, an edge.” Oh, how I would have loved to have read his thoughts and feelings about that performance almost 25 years later.
While my final rating of the book will not be as high as I had hoped it would be, I must say one final word about Button. Perhaps the most important factor in his commentaries about programs and performers is one he never spoke of on the air (at least I never heard him say it). That factor is whether figure skating is a better sport because of that skater, that performance. I never saw many of the skaters Button mentioned, but of the ones I did see, my favorites who I believe did make a positive and lasting impact on figure skating were Janet Lynn, Torvill and Dean, Mishkutenok & Dmitriev, and Toller Cranston. But I must add one more to the list, a skater I never saw skate, but who taught millions, like me, about figure skating and passed his love of skating on to us: Dick Button.
Three stars leaning with an edge upward.
January 25, 2015
I was recently in Lake Placid for a ski weekend, and the local bookstore had signed copies of this book. It fit right in with the atmosphere of this town dominated by winters sports and Olympics sites, so I picked it up. I disagree with another reviewer that this book would not be enjoyable to a general reader. I am not a skater, but I grew up watching many of the skaters Button writes about, and listening to Dick Button's commentary. I vividly remembered most the routines that he talked about--Torvill and Dean's Bolero, Janet Lynn's fall, Brian Boitano's spread eagle, Katerina Witt's Carmen. It was great fun to relive them through his eyes. He makes a lot of valid points about the new rules and the direction of skating away from artistry and toward greater and greater technical feats.
I gave the book only 3 stars because it is not a very deep book, it is breezy and chatty and fun, but not particulary well-written or well-edited. But if you, like me, had a Dorothy Hamill wedge haircut, and remember listening to Peggy Fleming and Dick Button offering their insightful and instructive commentary on figure skating, you'll enjoy this book.
I gave the book only 3 stars because it is not a very deep book, it is breezy and chatty and fun, but not particulary well-written or well-edited. But if you, like me, had a Dorothy Hamill wedge haircut, and remember listening to Peggy Fleming and Dick Button offering their insightful and instructive commentary on figure skating, you'll enjoy this book.
July 21, 2014
I was drawn to this book as a figure skating aficionado but was somewhat disappointed. I think I was hoping to hear more in depth information about some of my favorite skaters but certainly didn't rate it lower because of my expectations. He's entitled to write his book about whatever he wants. I just found it poorly written (too many "asides") and badly edited (on page 84 he refers to a person named "Gale" and in the next paragraph spells it "Gayle" and then refers to her again as "Gale." The whole concept of sitting on a couch with his dogs eating popcorn seemed a little corny. I give him credit, though, for his vast knowledge of figure skating and experience both as a skater and behind the mike.
January 5, 2016
This is Dick Button at his most Buttony. Does the writing make any logical or grammatical sense? No. Are there more asides and tangents than there are not? Sure. Do you feel like you're listening to the greatest commentator in the sport talk on the couch next to you? Yup. I happen to agree with Dick on many of his (strongly) stated opinions, including the IJS, the importance of two distinct program types, the strong link between dance and skating, and what moves look so darn ugly sometimes. So I'm sure that helps my review. But it was fantastic getting to here his more recent opinions since he stopped commentating, and I hope he does write that second book about Skating Moms. In the mean time, I'll think of him every time I see a catch foot spiral.
January 22, 2015
Dick Button is incorrigible. And I learned most of what I know about figure skating from him! In this volume, Dick comments on figure skating of the past and present. As an avid figure skating fan, I loved every word. He comments on some of the silliness of the sport and a lot of the seriousness. The last few chapters were a ringing diatribe against the president of the International Skating Union, Ottavio Cinquanta, known familiarly to skating fans as "Speedy" and his comments could not be more appropriate. Figure Skating is dying a slow and painful death under the rule of "Speedy" and I, for one, applaud Dick Button for making his feelings so public. Recommended for skating fans, probably not so interesting to those who don't understand or care about the state of the sport.
March 12, 2016
I have been a real fan of figure skating for the past 20 years or so, and so I have enjoyed this book about the essentials of skating, about the many changes in the scoring system after the 2002 Olympics judging scandal, and just some random thoughts from Dick Button, the two-time Olympic mens' gold medalist in figure skating and who was also a TV commentator for the sport for many years.
It's a must-read for skating fans; probably of little interest to anyone else. As a bonus, since I usually buy used books on Amazon, this one came autographed by Button himself! ("To Debbie"- but I can live with that.)
**#24 of 120 books pledged to read/review during 2016**
It's a must-read for skating fans; probably of little interest to anyone else. As a bonus, since I usually buy used books on Amazon, this one came autographed by Button himself! ("To Debbie"- but I can live with that.)
**#24 of 120 books pledged to read/review during 2016**
September 10, 2014
The title is perfect for this book, which is part autobiography, part ice skating history, and significant criticism of what ice skating has become. Button never shied from criticism as a commentator, and he examines every button of his that gets pushed. As a critic worthy of respect should do, he not only laments (sometimes skewers) but he also makes valid suggestions for improvement. His sit-with-me-and-let's-chat style gets old quickly, and if he does write a follow-up volume, as he alludes too,I hope he abandons what he likely thinks is a breezy style but is actually annoying.
March 31, 2014
Quick,fun read. Dick always has interesting things to say. A little redundant at times, and I could have done without all the goofy asides about eating popcorn on the couch with his dogs. I get that the book was meant to be a breezy conversation, but I didn't need reminded of this so often. In the end, if you are a fan of skating, and grew up with Dick's incomparable commenting style, you will love this book.
July 12, 2015
Button establishes expectations early on, by making us a mind-picture of a visit at his home, where he will hold forth on figure-skating topics. And he delivers exactly what he promises: it's discursive, amiably snobbish in places, definitely opinionated, and very much in tune with the world-view and figure-skating-view that Button has espoused over the years.
Nothing earth-shattering here, but great fun, especially since Button is unleashed from the conventions imposed by TV producers.
Nothing earth-shattering here, but great fun, especially since Button is unleashed from the conventions imposed by TV producers.
February 3, 2014
Much more of an overview and guide to understanding quality figure skating than a biography or a set of personal stories from our favourite skating commentator. That said, it does not fail to deliver quality information, personal insight, and delightful skating anecdotes for any skating fan.
Overall a worthwhile read!
Overall a worthwhile read!
May 27, 2014
As a figure skating viewing fanatic, this was an enjoyable read, but the format (you're on the coach with me, eating popcorn and drinking beer, etc.), frankly got annoying and old pretty quickly. His insight on the sport, though, is always first rate.
January 4, 2015
Just like dick! Really felt he was in my sofa chatting. Don't expect biography, expect to hear his voice and thoughts loud, clear, thoughtful and full of insight
January 25, 2015
Learned a lot about skating and Button's opinions are food for thought, but I could have done without all the snarky asides.
March 9, 2015
Enjoyable!
April 2, 2018
I loved it. An engaging and interesting look at skating, just full of stories
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