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A Skating Life: My Story
The dazzling smile, the signature haircut, the staple spin. "America's Sweetheart" Dorothy Hamill grew up on the ice, working toward the dream she was to accomplish by age nineteen: winning Olympic gold in figure skating. But life was not the picture of perfection it appeared to be. Dorothy faced a painful inner struggle from the time she was a young girl that followed her into adulthood -- though she would not know about the depression that ran in her family until much later in life. Weeks and months away from home to train and compete took a difficult toll, yet little reprieve could be found in the tumultuous and fragile relationship she had with her parents. Dorothy went on to marry the man of her dreams, only to have the partnership end in heartache and a tragedy that almost pushed her to her breaking point. Then, just when a light at the end of the tunnel finally began to appear, a second failed marriage tried and tested Dorothy's trust and strength yet again -- a travesty that could have led her to give up. But, she found a remarkable strength in what she did have -- her greatest love, her daughter Alexandra. "Thank goodness, I had my skating. There was certainly a pattern to my life. When times were tough, I went skating. It was only while I was out on the ice, enjoying the freedom of movement and my love of music, that I was able to escape from my bottomless heartache." In her deeply moving and honest memoir, Dorothy opens up for the first time about love, family, courage, and what it means to truly win both on and off the ice.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
April 3, 2013
Well, lucky me, I had the privilege of teaching Dorothy's daughter several years ago, and I can honestly say Dorothy is every bit as kind and sweet as she appears in the public eye. I like the frankness of this book, particularly her account of her struggles with depression. It's clear that depression runs in her family, a burden that is much more of a challenge than most people think. Knowing this, her achievements are that much more impressive. This is someone who has been famous world-wide since early on in her life, yet she has remained humble and grateful. There is no whining or complaining in her story, and she has no problem acknowledging the mistakes she has made.
A few weeks after I read the book, I heard that Dorothy had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was so very sad to hear this, but word has it that she has been tackling this latest challenge with resilience and optimism. It's so nice to know that someone you once admired is very much deserving of her success!
A few weeks after I read the book, I heard that Dorothy had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was so very sad to hear this, but word has it that she has been tackling this latest challenge with resilience and optimism. It's so nice to know that someone you once admired is very much deserving of her success!
July 21, 2015
Make this a 3.5, I'm no nasty East German judge of the likes that Dorothy Hamill dealt with back in the days of competitive skating when figures were still part of the discipline (I think they should be today to a certain extent, I think the figures led to better basic skating that could be embellished on with jumps later).
Dorothy Hamill is one of the people who after you read the book, you still would like to know her. She wasn't a rich kid, her family struggled with very little help to get her to the top of the heap. Hamill writes of dedicated parents who still somehow put up a wall, she later finds out and experiences first hand how rampant depression is in the family. These are survivors though and Hamill bravely faces and shares her battle with depression.
There are frank admissions about her relationship and marriage to Dean Paul Martin, her one true love. That marriage failed and she later married again, a sports doctor who turned out to be a lazy bum who led her to bankruptcy. The best part of that marriage was a daughter who Hamill never wanted to let down.
Her Olympic win remains one of my favorite TV moments along with many of her other performances. Thanks for all the great moments.
Dorothy Hamill is one of the people who after you read the book, you still would like to know her. She wasn't a rich kid, her family struggled with very little help to get her to the top of the heap. Hamill writes of dedicated parents who still somehow put up a wall, she later finds out and experiences first hand how rampant depression is in the family. These are survivors though and Hamill bravely faces and shares her battle with depression.
There are frank admissions about her relationship and marriage to Dean Paul Martin, her one true love. That marriage failed and she later married again, a sports doctor who turned out to be a lazy bum who led her to bankruptcy. The best part of that marriage was a daughter who Hamill never wanted to let down.
Her Olympic win remains one of my favorite TV moments along with many of her other performances. Thanks for all the great moments.
August 11, 2016
This was so poorly written. Dorothy came off horribly in a way she would not have if only for a better writer.
Statements are written doubly if not more and I kept thinking 'You just said that!'
Paragraphs go off into tangents that don't fit correctly.
There is a lot of childish woe-is-me. State the fact or experience and let the reader insert the emotion. Yes, a biography could share the accompanying emotions, but please don't waffle and whine like a self-centered teenager as your complete story theme.
On page 82 a line reads,"Nothing I did was good enough for her (referring to Dorothy's mother)". I had this paradigm of Dorothy's etched into my skull so thoroughly and to take the edge off my frustration wrote in the book itself the obvious that "Nothing her mother did was good enough for Dorothy!"
The end of the book did improve, but the way Dorothy was portrayed in this book was exhausting and annoying. It was hard to feel sorry for Dorothy over the difficulties in her life when she seemed to do enough pitying for herself.
Statements are written doubly if not more and I kept thinking 'You just said that!'
Paragraphs go off into tangents that don't fit correctly.
There is a lot of childish woe-is-me. State the fact or experience and let the reader insert the emotion. Yes, a biography could share the accompanying emotions, but please don't waffle and whine like a self-centered teenager as your complete story theme.
On page 82 a line reads,"Nothing I did was good enough for her (referring to Dorothy's mother)". I had this paradigm of Dorothy's etched into my skull so thoroughly and to take the edge off my frustration wrote in the book itself the obvious that "Nothing her mother did was good enough for Dorothy!"
The end of the book did improve, but the way Dorothy was portrayed in this book was exhausting and annoying. It was hard to feel sorry for Dorothy over the difficulties in her life when she seemed to do enough pitying for herself.
May 10, 2013
Contrary to what other commenters stated, i found this book very powerful and a really good read. People need to realize that each person is different when it comes to putting things into words. While it may have come out as a "I hate my parents" type of book, in reality, Dorothy was just voicing her own personal feelings...and if you read it all the way to the end, you would see that she did eventually reconcile and build a positive relationship with her mother. Depression is a very hard thing to deal with, especially when it's "Undiganosed" and no one knows what it really is and how to treat it, which is what not only Dorothy was going through herself, but also she was going through it with her own mother! Over all, a beautiful book that shows the heartache on and off the ice that many people do not know about her.
I for one related very well to Dorothy's heartaches as I went through similar experiences.
I for one related very well to Dorothy's heartaches as I went through similar experiences.
October 19, 2012
I blame Hamil's co author, ms amelon for this poorly written dreary review of Hamil's life. It might better be titled me and mom, the story of a dysfunctional relationship. Who knew the pretty skater with the great haircut had such a series of bad experiences with personal relationships.. Apparently a family history of depression contributed to Hamil's series of difficulties with the mother who made her skating possible but who was generally a negative presence. And then on to two very unfortunate marriages. Gloom gloom. Surely the cowriter could have handled the material better.
September 9, 2011
I am really into easy autobiographies right now--it's all I have the mental energy for and the time to complete before the book is due at the library. This was perfect for those requirements. Poor Dorothy has not been lucky in love, nor did she have a great relationship with her parents. I didn't know any of that.
October 11, 2007
I thought it was an interesting peek into the life of a young Olympic skater, and what it takes to get there. Unfotunately, it is also a chronicle of her family and their history with depression.
February 19, 2010
Interesting insights, but the writing was soooooo awful, ugh.
March 2, 2025
Dorothy Hamill was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1956. She began ice skating at age 8, quickly developing a love for the sport and showing talent for it. Her parents spent an extraordinary amount of money on her training, as she had to travel away from home for periods of time to train. She won the novice ladies' title at the U.S. Championships at the age of 12. Hamill eventually became the United States Champion from 1974 to 1976. She won silver medals in both the 1974 and 1975 World Championships, before winning the gold in 1976. She was part of the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics team, where she won gold in the Ladies Single. Hamill went on to skate in Ice Capades and Broadway on Ice, despite physical injuries and illnesses.
I love figure skating, and recall fond memories watching skating with my Mom. I have seen Hamill skate a few times on television in special programs, and have always enjoyed her commentary and her mentorship to other skaters. As someone who struggles with mental health issues, it is nice to see someone that was able to work on their mental health and achieve wonderful things be a source of encouragement and advice to other people with similar struggles. Though this is an older book, I enjoyed it.
I love figure skating, and recall fond memories watching skating with my Mom. I have seen Hamill skate a few times on television in special programs, and have always enjoyed her commentary and her mentorship to other skaters. As someone who struggles with mental health issues, it is nice to see someone that was able to work on their mental health and achieve wonderful things be a source of encouragement and advice to other people with similar struggles. Though this is an older book, I enjoyed it.
April 7, 2018
I enjoyed this book! It's hard to imagine the reality of her life. I appreciated her honesty and openness.
September 12, 2021
What a sad and difficult life she had. Even though I never officially met her, I always felt close to her because we are only a month different in age and we skated at the same rink in Denver.
November 8, 2014
Dorothy wrote her parents letters begging them to allow her to get her ears pierced. Jeannie Fortune was a skater too as well as Dorothy's friend. Her family ran the Chicken Coop restaurant and Dorothy loved to go eat there. One time, Dorothy and her other friends took a rowboat and ran it to the middle of the lake but then one of the moms got mad because she was scared that something would happen to them. On Sundays, when the rink was closed, they would go to the beach during the day and to the movies at night. In Lake Placid, where the skating competition took place, Gordie McKellan was one of the regular soloists.
Dorothy didn't wear pretty dresses for her skating competition since her mom didn't know how to sew. However, she still got second place. Sadly, she did poorly in school so she went back to Riverside Elementary. Her brother, on the other side, was a very good student. Dorothy's mom told her that she has to work harder if she intends to continue skating. Her mother was very harsh and always expected better when her father helped her polish her skates.
Dorothy's parents finally agreed to let her get her ears pierced. That was because she had won first place in the skating competition. Dorothy was inspired by Janet Lynn because she thought she was an angel when she skated. The 1961 plane crash killed the U.S. figure skating team in Belgium. This had a great impact on America and its skaters, coaches, officials, judges, and parents. Because of that, there was no gold for the American skaters of 1964.
In Labor Day, Gary Visconti showed up and came from Detroit. When he tried to skate, he ended up always falling. He got blades and that is because he left his skates unattended. Dorothy's summer ended when she went home to the Riverside. There, she saw her best friend, Kim Danks. Dorothy was sad because she was left without her coach, Mr. Lussi since he traveled to the Canary Islands .
In Dorothy's family, it was her dad who paid the bills and her mom staying up late at night worrying about what to do. One of the rinks Dorothy used to practice was the Skating Club of New York. Her dad used to bring her to New York on weekends to be able to skate. All her coaches claimed that she had a terrible arm posture and arm movements.
Her christmas present from her parents was a trip to Philadelphia. She wanted to watch famous skaters perform in the Nationals. Then she passed her figure tests and came second and then third. Indeed, her mom paid a lot of money for transportation and her skating lessons even if she had three other children. Also, her mother would always speak only good about other skaters. Dorothy says that her mom was a volatile person and that she sacrifices many things to have been able to put Dorothy in the place she is.
Dorothy didn't wear pretty dresses for her skating competition since her mom didn't know how to sew. However, she still got second place. Sadly, she did poorly in school so she went back to Riverside Elementary. Her brother, on the other side, was a very good student. Dorothy's mom told her that she has to work harder if she intends to continue skating. Her mother was very harsh and always expected better when her father helped her polish her skates.
Dorothy's parents finally agreed to let her get her ears pierced. That was because she had won first place in the skating competition. Dorothy was inspired by Janet Lynn because she thought she was an angel when she skated. The 1961 plane crash killed the U.S. figure skating team in Belgium. This had a great impact on America and its skaters, coaches, officials, judges, and parents. Because of that, there was no gold for the American skaters of 1964.
In Labor Day, Gary Visconti showed up and came from Detroit. When he tried to skate, he ended up always falling. He got blades and that is because he left his skates unattended. Dorothy's summer ended when she went home to the Riverside. There, she saw her best friend, Kim Danks. Dorothy was sad because she was left without her coach, Mr. Lussi since he traveled to the Canary Islands .
In Dorothy's family, it was her dad who paid the bills and her mom staying up late at night worrying about what to do. One of the rinks Dorothy used to practice was the Skating Club of New York. Her dad used to bring her to New York on weekends to be able to skate. All her coaches claimed that she had a terrible arm posture and arm movements.
Her christmas present from her parents was a trip to Philadelphia. She wanted to watch famous skaters perform in the Nationals. Then she passed her figure tests and came second and then third. Indeed, her mom paid a lot of money for transportation and her skating lessons even if she had three other children. Also, her mother would always speak only good about other skaters. Dorothy says that her mom was a volatile person and that she sacrifices many things to have been able to put Dorothy in the place she is.
July 20, 2010
This was a quick, easy read, but not necessarily a quick or easy life to lead. Dorothy, at over 50 now, has quite a bit of insight into her family's dynamics, and that, perhaps unsurprisingly, is what she focuses on in her tale, most particularly her evolving relationship with her mother. I felt considerable empathy with her journey from feeling never good enough and always criticized towards understanding and appreciating exactly how much her mother gave her, especially in the obsessed teenage years as she pursued her Olympic gold. I am as glad for her sake as I am for my own that the always difficult mother-daughter relationship survived and thrived.
On the skating side, there is very little detail. Few other skaters are even mentioned by name. Usually the omission is just because of the general nature of the account, but sometimes it's rather interesting: Sandra Bezic, for instance is referred to a number of times, sometimes as a dear friend (they were bridesmaids at each other's weddings), and sometimes in tones of disappointment. I fear that's a friendship that may not have survived.
On the other hand, Dorothy does not hesitate to name and detail the failings of either of her husbands, both of whom cheated on her. She writes of them in radically different tones, however, clearly still very much in love with the memory of her first husband, Dean Martin Jr., who died in a plane crash shortly after they divorced. Her second husband, Ken Forsythe, is painted by contrast as a layabout, incapable of either doing a job of work or living up to his family responsibilities. At this late date, Dorothy clearly considers her relationship with him an error in judgment, aside from the fact that the marriage produced her very much-loved daughter.
This memoir could have been quite a bit longer, and still have been interesting, in my view. We have to be content with very brief glimpses into the working methods of Otto Gold, Gus Lussi, Carlo Fassi, and John Curry - what a list! - and the occasional paragraph about a stellar event such as the White House dinner given for Prince Charles and Princess Diana, where Dorothy sat at the high table. (John Travolta was apparently Diana's favourite to dance with). And one can frequently sense where either Dorothy hesitates to express an opinion, or did express one and had it edited out.
Still, I'm glad she wrote it. The inspirational-for-teens pap which were the only "biographies" we had of this highly accomplished and thoughtful woman certainly didn't do her justice.
On the skating side, there is very little detail. Few other skaters are even mentioned by name. Usually the omission is just because of the general nature of the account, but sometimes it's rather interesting: Sandra Bezic, for instance is referred to a number of times, sometimes as a dear friend (they were bridesmaids at each other's weddings), and sometimes in tones of disappointment. I fear that's a friendship that may not have survived.
On the other hand, Dorothy does not hesitate to name and detail the failings of either of her husbands, both of whom cheated on her. She writes of them in radically different tones, however, clearly still very much in love with the memory of her first husband, Dean Martin Jr., who died in a plane crash shortly after they divorced. Her second husband, Ken Forsythe, is painted by contrast as a layabout, incapable of either doing a job of work or living up to his family responsibilities. At this late date, Dorothy clearly considers her relationship with him an error in judgment, aside from the fact that the marriage produced her very much-loved daughter.
This memoir could have been quite a bit longer, and still have been interesting, in my view. We have to be content with very brief glimpses into the working methods of Otto Gold, Gus Lussi, Carlo Fassi, and John Curry - what a list! - and the occasional paragraph about a stellar event such as the White House dinner given for Prince Charles and Princess Diana, where Dorothy sat at the high table. (John Travolta was apparently Diana's favourite to dance with). And one can frequently sense where either Dorothy hesitates to express an opinion, or did express one and had it edited out.
Still, I'm glad she wrote it. The inspirational-for-teens pap which were the only "biographies" we had of this highly accomplished and thoughtful woman certainly didn't do her justice.
April 19, 2014
From the very beginning I loved this book. Can't understand why some of the reviews are so negative. Not sure if you'd enjoy it so much if you didn't know so much about ice skating but you may find the behind the scenes interesting. I enjoyed it because she spoke about so many names I recognised. It was lovely to read that she knew John Curry so well and had nothing but praise for him. Having read other books that crucify him, this really made me feel happy as he's one of my sporting heroes. It was also interesting to discover another side to Carlo Fassi. Having said that his book will always be, for me at least, the Ice Skating bible.
It was also very interesting to read about her life and how she feels about Ice skating. I feel pretty much the same but sadly haven't been on the ice for a few years but I intend to. This book had my interest from beginning to end.
It was also very interesting to read about her life and how she feels about Ice skating. I feel pretty much the same but sadly haven't been on the ice for a few years but I intend to. This book had my interest from beginning to end.
December 22, 2007
I remember Dorothy Hammill winning the Olympic gold medal when I was a little girl ~ but I know very little about her other than her trademark spins and haircut. So I thought I would edumacate myself!
The book was an interesting look into the world of competitive ice skating, but the writing style was very linear and dry: first this happened, then this happened, then that happened. The misfortunes she encounters as an adult really do seem to be of her own doing: Hammill is much to eager to please others, routinely fails to protect her own interests first or conduct her affairs with due diligence, and is far too naive and trusting of absolutely everyone. But maybe that's the price that comes from living a fishbowl life as an Olympic athlete.
The book was an interesting look into the world of competitive ice skating, but the writing style was very linear and dry: first this happened, then this happened, then that happened. The misfortunes she encounters as an adult really do seem to be of her own doing: Hammill is much to eager to please others, routinely fails to protect her own interests first or conduct her affairs with due diligence, and is far too naive and trusting of absolutely everyone. But maybe that's the price that comes from living a fishbowl life as an Olympic athlete.
January 1, 2012
We all remember the little girl, skating like an angel at the Olympics...and that haircut! Life was perfect then and life was not so perfect as Dorothy grew up...as it is for so many who suddenly find themselves thrust into celebrity. This is a well-written, honest story of the real Dorothy...years past the skating little girl. I have always admired Dorothy, seeing her as a very sincere, deep-spirited individual who trusted deeply in those who came into her life and consequently, not always trusting well. But, just like when she fell on the ice...she got up, smiled and proceeded on with the 'program'. That is exactly how she has lived her life ever since...facing each day, good or bad...onward with that sweet, sincere smile. Dorothy Hamill has beat all the odds!
August 31, 2012
This book was about skating, but so much more. I've always admired Dorothy Hamill as a skater, but now I admire her as a person. She did a good job of explaining the nuances of the sport in a way that seemed approachable for those with little to no skating knowledge, but wasn't too elementary for skating fans. A working knowledge of US skaters from the 60s to the 80s is helpful, otherwise there are a lot of people referenced without a lot of backstory.
But the book is about so much more than skating. What it takes to compete at that level, the genetic and familial traits that shape who we are in a way that can only be seen in hindsight, these broader themes provide application beyond what is an intensely personal work.
February 28, 2014
I found this book while watching the Winter Olympics. I wanted to know more about Dorothy Hamill. I enjoyed reading it, even though it is a little to narrative for me. At times it feels as if she is just venting. In fact, I think the tone of her book feels as if she wants to get something off her back. Her relationship with her mother is complicated and much of the focus of her story is trying to figure out why her Mom didn't come to the arena to see her skate for the gold medal.
I had no idea she was married to Dean Martin's son. I also wasn't aware of the 1961 plane crash that killed the entire US figure skating team. After reading that in this book, I googled and found out more.
I had no idea she was married to Dean Martin's son. I also wasn't aware of the 1961 plane crash that killed the entire US figure skating team. After reading that in this book, I googled and found out more.
August 19, 2010
I'm not normally a biography reading sort but getting into ice skating as an adult I've recently been reading bit articles about various skaters. I saw this book advertised in one of them and decided to give it a try.
I think most people... definitely including myself... tend to put famous folks on a pedestal and forget they have a background too... it was nice to bring it back down to earth and see a bit how Dorothy became who she is today. Not the best writing but an insight into a pretty interesting life.
I think most people... definitely including myself... tend to put famous folks on a pedestal and forget they have a background too... it was nice to bring it back down to earth and see a bit how Dorothy became who she is today. Not the best writing but an insight into a pretty interesting life.
June 23, 2015
This book was about Dorothy Hamill from her early years until the book was published in 2007. We got to know what it was like in the 60's and 70's for a girl who was passionate about skating, but had to deal with a mother who was suffering with depression and making sure her daughter lived her dream to the fullest. After her Olympic gold, Dorothy married twice, had a daughter, was in numerous skating shows all over the country and on television, and realized how her mother made so many sacrifices for her growing up.
May 29, 2012
This book is an autobiography about Dorothy Hamill the famous figure skater. It was very interesting to read about Dorothy 's life and see how different or similar it is to mine. Being a figure skater I don't know how the reading experience will be for people who don't skate, but even though this is not my typical book (Harry Potter, Hunger Games, etc.) I really enjoyed it. The book was also very inspirational.
April 21, 2012
my 2 year old son picked this off a table display for "women's history month" at the library as i was checking out. so i decided to humor him and get it. i'm about halfway through it and it's interesting. i didn't know much about dorothy hamill, so i've learned a lot about her as well as how skating has evolved over the past 50 years in the u.s. i'm already past the part where she won a gold medal, so i'm interested to find out what the rest of the book covers.
February 29, 2008
Who knew Dorothy Hamill endured so much to get her gold medal? I always thought she was a privileged Greenwich child, not a scholarship girl without proper costumes and saddled with chronically depressed parents who struggled to make ends meet. But the thing that bowled me over was the picture of her on the front cover - wow, she's gorgeous at 50!
July 9, 2008
Dorothy Hamill was one of my childhood heros and it was interesting to read that despite winning a gold medal in the Olympics, her life had struggles like anyone else. I thought her memoir was good and I appreciated the fact that she was honest in telling about her marriage, financial, and health problems.
May 2, 2013
It was an interesting look into the lives of the skaters we know and love.
Most surprising to me what how surprised Dorothy was at the events in her life.
I didn't particularly like the tone of the book--though I read every page and would recommend it to other fans of figure skating and the personalities of those we've come to feel like we know.
Most surprising to me what how surprised Dorothy was at the events in her life.
I didn't particularly like the tone of the book--though I read every page and would recommend it to other fans of figure skating and the personalities of those we've come to feel like we know.
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January 28, 2016Very Interesting yet rather depressing to read since she focuses a lot on her parental issues, $$ problems and her failed marriages. But it's a great look at skating and our past culture. She explains some aspects of past figure skating issues/judging and why it was so hard for USA figure skaters to compete against "super" powers.
August 8, 2008
Though I am not really interested in Dorothy Hamill or figure skating, this was still an interesting look at her life and especially her childhood, which I imagine mirrors the childhood of a lot of people who compete at an Olympic level at a young age.
January 28, 2010
This book was much better than I expected. It was very well written and a very quick read. I knew some of Hamill's story, the divorces and the death of her ex-husband, but I had no idea how hard her family life had been. The book was very honest without being too gloomy.
November 20, 2010
You can't help but fall in love with a hardworking skater like Dorothy Hamill. The book lets you feel like you are with her every moment in her life. Inspiring story if you can relate to the struggles of life she went through. Heartwarming story but not the best style of writing.
November 24, 2010
Dorothy was my childhood heroine while growing up skating and taking lessons. Dorothy gives an inside look of this demanding sport and the sacrifices that she and her parents made. Her relationship with her mom is something I will never understand.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews