Zero Break: An Illustrated Collection of Surf Writing, 1777-2004

by Matt Warshaw

The author of The Encyclopedia of Surfing returns with this definitive anthology of the best-ever writing about surfing, illustrated with classic and cutting-edge photographs and artwork. Hip and eclectic, the collection speaks to surfing's widespread and longstanding from Mark Twain's nineteenth-century description in Roughing It to Susan Orlean's essay on girl surfers in Maui and Tom Wolfe's "The Pump House Gang."
This anthology covers it all-from early surfing literature to descriptions of the sport's most colorful characters, from hair-raising tales of big-wave surfing to an exploration of surf culture.

Includes contributions
R. Crumb, Daniel Duane, William Finnegan, Rick Griffin, Frederick Kohner, Jack London, Herman Melville, Susan Orlean, Charles Schulz, Mark Twain, and Tom Wolfe

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

384 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2004

About the author

Matt Warshaw is a former professional surfer, former writer and editor at Surfer magazine (1984-1990), and the author of dozens of feature articles and large-format books on surfing culture and history.
Warshaw currently curates the online Encyclopedia of Surfing and History of Surfing, each website based on expanded material from the archives assembled for their print companions. He has 1 child.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

highly recommended for a light summer read. i bought it because a) i love the beach, b) i am a wannabe surfer, and lastly, c) i just want a big, hefty and chunkster of a book to chuck those posers on the beach.. eeesssh!

[Lenny Husen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who admires or is enthralled by surf culture. Great photos and great articles, both fiction and non-fiction.