Kook - Peter Heller

Kook

By Peter Heller

  • Release Date: 2010-07-13
  • Genre: Water Sports
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 113 Ratings

Description

With grit, poetry, and humor, Peter Heller, acclaimed author of The River and The Whale Warriors recounts his remarkable journey of discovery—of surfing, an entirely new challenge; of the ocean’s beauty and power; of the strange surf subculture; of love; and, most of all, of how to seek adventure while crafting a meaningful life.

Author of the New York Times bestselling novel The Dog Stars
Winner of the National Outdoor Book Award for Literature

Having resolved to master a big-hollow wave—that is, to go from kook (surfese for beginner) to shredder—in a single year, Heller travels from Southern California down the coast of Mexico in the company of his girlfriend and the eccentric surfers they meet. Exuberant and fearless, Heller explores the technique and science of surfing the secrets of its culture, and the environmental ravages to the stunning coastline he visits.

As Heller plumbs the working of his own heart and finds joy in both love and surfing, he affords readers vivid insight into this fascinating world, with all of its perils and pleasures, its absurdity and wonder. Exhilarating, entertaining, and moving, Kook is a love story between a man and his surfboard, a man and his girlfriend, a not-so-old man and the sea.

Reviews

  • Nice Job!

    5
    By Mark Townsend
    Very accurate.
  • Long story short

    2
    By PhunkMonkey
    Took a challenge to surf in 6 months, took a trip around Mexico to surf, caught some waves, got into some fights, tried to save some dolphins, tried to make everyone aware of the environment and the dying reefs, fell in love, caught the perfect wave, got stitches on his head. The end.
  • Move over kook I'm looking to return.

    4
    By Axis360
    Ten ok maybe 16 years ago I lived in Cardiff by the Sea, now I'm in Boulder and the itch is back. I have two small children I take to the Cape during the summer but light boogie boarding is all they can do, yet. It's end of sept and 80 degrees time to think snowboarding but this book makes me want to jump in VW camper and hit the PCHighway to tour the surf breaks. Fun read, thanks.
  • Awesome!

    5
    By The Rich Curtis
    Inspired me to try surfing! Really a great book!