Title: The Skiing Diaries
Author: Kurt Larson
Publisher: Word Art Publishing
ISBN: 978-1955070683
Pages: 696
Genre: Memoir / Non-fiction
Reviewer: Anthony Avina
Pacific Book Review
One of the rarest yet most rewarding things a person can do in their life is find a way of making their passion and drive in life their career. For many people, the need to live and make money to do so is driven by a career not by their choosing, but out of necessity, and so finding a career that speaks to the things a person is passionate about is a gift which cannot be ignored. For some, that dream is to be a full-time author or musician, while for others that passion is for politics or military life.
In author Kurt Larson’s The Skiing Diaries, the author finds that passion in a life of skiing. Exploring the author’s life, the book delves into all aspects of their life, from racing and business triumphs with failures, to a celebration of the art and sport of skiing in general. The book takes readers through the author’s life growing up in the mountains of Michigan to work which took him from Colorado to Scotland and across Europe, showcasing the author’s love and passion for the sport and all things skiing.
A triumphant and engaging read, this book does a remarkable job of finding balance between the author’s life stories and the experiences with skiing driving his passion for the sport, while also intertwining brief short stories of fiction which tie into these life experiences effortlessly. The unique blend of short stories to emphasize these powerful moments, while also utilizing journal entries and new and original passages, shines brightest when the author’s writing style is highlighted. The author’s voice comes across very conversationally and speaks to the honest, at times humorous, and mostly passionate discussions surrounding both skiing and his life.
Readers who thoroughly enjoy non-fiction books mixed with fictional passages, especially memoirs and non-fiction books about outdoor recreational activities, sports, and travel will be enthralled by the author’s book. The detailed, lengthy book is a breath of fresh air that brings new life to a genre of book that often gets overlooked, and the passion and zeal the author brings to this topic is almost infectious. The author’s way of writing almost feels cinematic at times, with the stories especially capturing a sense of detailed brightness that makes the reader feel connected to the author. For anyone who knows the pull of winter or has dreamed of finding freedom in the snow, this book is a passport to adventure.
