Life and Limb: Skateboarders Write from the Deep End

by Justin Hocking (Editor), Jocko Weyland (Foreword), Jeffrey Knutson (Editor)

The pieces in Life and Limb are diverse in subject and voice. Some of the narratives in Life and Limb deal directly with the subject of skateboarding; others are about completely non-related subjects such as tree-eating, the historical and cultural significance of boulders, and setting fire to cemeteries. Despite, or maybe because of this diversity, they all express certain aesthetics common to skateboarders an iconoclastic sense of creativity fostered by a lifetime spent (mostly) outside the restrictive bounds of team sports, a collaborative artistic spirit and a disdain for overt competitiveness, humor, an appetite for risk that often borders on self-destructiveness, a youthful distrust of authority and a reluctance to resign one’s self to the "adult" world of commerce and responsibility. While all the contributing writers have been heavily influenced by skateboarding, the stories in Life and Limb don’t glorify or idealize the sport. In fact many of the pieces reveal the dark side of skateboarding—the curse that accompanies the blessing of a lifetime spent rolling very fast over very hard surfaces.

220 pages, Paperback

First published May 21, 2004

Reviews

[Ryan Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not a story, but a book where multiple authors told their perspective of skateboarding. I never liked skateboarding, but since a teacher recommended it for me, I gave it a shot. It was very confusing at times but once I finished,co had a better understanding of skateboarding. This book also told about the culture and history of skateboarding. Surprisingly, it was pretty imteresting to read about that kind of information. Over all, if you are looking for a good book, this is defiantly an option.

[Andres Ibarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Life and Limb" by Justin Hocking is a cool book that mixes crazy outdoor adventures with deep thoughts about life. It's set in the wild Pacific Northwest, and Hocking tells his story of doing extreme sports like skateboarding and surfing. But it's not just about the thrills – he goes deep into his feelings and how these adventures changed him.

Hocking's writing is awesome – it feels like you're right there with him, flying down a hill on a skateboard or catching a wave. What makes "Life and Limb" special is that it's not just about sports; it's about figuring out who you are and what matters in life.

The book is a bit like a journey through nature and the human mind. Hocking isn't afraid to share the tough parts of his life, and that makes the book relatable. It's not just for people who love extreme sports; it's for anyone who's ever faced challenges and wanted to come out stronger.

Overall, "Life and Limb" is more than just a wild adventure story – it's a deep look into how we connect with nature and ourselves. Hocking's writing makes it a great read for both adventure fans and anyone looking for a good story about life's ups and downs.