STEALING THE WAVE -- Andy Martin

What can I say, this book is awesome! It is far from the technical books that usually find themselves next to
my bed, but I have an attraction to surf biographies. Stealing The Wave is filled with characterization that 
would be familiar to anybody who has found themselves on the North Shore of Hawaii during the winter. Stealing the Wave gives 
a complete chronicle of both Ken's and Mark's arrival to the big wave arena. If you have ever been in a big 
wave situation where your abilities are maxed out, then this book will have a special meaning for you.

Although this book is mainly about the feud and final comeraderie between two classic big wave riders of my generation, 
Mark Fu and Ken Bradshaw, there are many side stories that enhance this book beyond a simple personality 
characterization. Andy Martin does an incredible job at sharing the tales of Eddie Aikau and his reincarnation 
as honu during his brother's victory in the inaugural "Eddie" at Wiamea Bay. 
After reading this book, one gets the feeling that the emotions surrounding Mark's death are still strong between 
his family and Ken. 

This book had a personal effect for me as I started reading it while I was in Hawaii. Also, I had the "honor" to witness
Ken Bradshaw biting the leash off of a fellow surfer's board during a mid-wave collision at 10 foot Sunset Beach. After 
watching this unfold, I was able to fully comprehend the book's vivid descriptions of biting off chunks of board and slamming
off fins as Ken describes in a "how to" detail. 

If you have ever surfed big waves or if you have ever visited the North Shore, this is a must read. For those who surf only
ankle slappers, but are curious about extreme personalities and a glimpse into the microcosm known as the North Shore, then 
this book is also for you.

Personally, I give this book 9 out of 10 pizza slices. Why not the whole pie? This book is a mental massage, not an intellectual
stimulus. WHole pies are reserved for those books that take you into the unknown, bring you back out, and force you to alter
your lifestyle. But, this book was never written for the purposes of winning whole pies. I recommend it to all of my surf friends:
great historical accounts, vivid characterization that will leave you laughing, and filled with side-show antics to keep your head
turning.