Skateboarding has always been regarded as something of an American sport but its popularity throughout Europe and the rest of the world has exploded over the last few years, which means this book already has a ready market for eager boarders who want to learn more about the sport. Skateboarding is a way of life to some people and has its own culture, fashion and even music. Skateboard Roadmap provides a fairly comprehensive study of the sport, taking in the history and culture surrounding its growth and is heavily illustrated with a plethora of colour and black and white photographs. Of course, no skateboard book would be complete without covering tricks and stunts and the book also offers readers illustrated guides to pulling off the hottest moves and jumps on your board. Skateboarding heroes are also profiled, though the names will be fairly unfamiliar to none boarders--a testament to how much recognition it is still as yet to garner as a serious and competitive sport. While the book is involving and full of facts and figures, it is perhaps not in-depth enough for the serious skateboarder and will find a more appreciative home with people new to the sport who want to immerse themselves in the history and culture--and also get the right look. --Jonathan Weir
