Everything many of us know about figure skating, we learned from the man who's been called the "Voice of Figure Skating." Now Dick Button, the Emmy Award-winning skating commentator famous for his precise, passionate, opinionated rinkside analyses and for his historic career as a two-time Olympic gold medalist, five-time World Champion, and seven-time U.S. Champion (plus being the inadvertent inventor of the flying camel, the first to successfully land a double Axel in competition, and the first ever to do a triple jump) demystifies this art and sport beloved by millions.

In "Push Dick's Button," you'll learn about the difference between a Lutz and a Salchow . . . performance highs and lows . . . memorable entrances, exits, and falls (including his own) . . . costume delights and disasters . . . the new judging rules . . . and nuggets of skating training and history, PLUS stories about Katarina Witt, Peggy Fleming, Johnny Weir, Brian Boitano, Dorothy Hamill, and more, including today's champions, such as Evgeni Plushenko, Davis and White, and the latest sensations. Droll, dishy, dramatic, and dead-on, this book is like a one-on-one conversation with the man whose unsurpassed knowledge, experience, and love of figure skating have influenced generations.

"So you think that you can skate" is a radical departure from the conventional methods of teaching someone how to skate or improve their skating ability. Few people realize that altering the lacing pattern of the conventional hockey skate boot can bring noticeable improvements to their skating performance. Even fewer realize changing the lacing pattern also allows the skater to use both joints of the foot, namely the toes and the ankle, which is the most powerful muscle in the body. These joints are similar to the two joints of the hand; the wrist and the fingers. These small joints can move faster than their larger cousins. The toes can impart speed and power to the stride. The fingers can impart speed and sometimes strange movement to a thrown object. Just think about what limitations you would experience if you threw the ball without using your fingers or tried to jump up in the air without using your toes. There is one drawback with changing the lacing pattern on the skates of "older" skater's. The usual comment is something to the effect that this is really weird, I cannot do this. The feeling is often so overwhelming, the older skaters simply cannot cope with the sensation they experience. The weird feeling is the sudden sensation that my skates are loose. In reality, the skates are not loose. It is the ankle telling the brain "I am now free to move." These skaters knowingly or not will give up the use of the strongest muscle in the body rather than change their lacing pattern. Young skaters, who do not have any idea of what a weird feeling is, make serious progress in improving their skating. In minutes beginner skaters can be taught balance and stability. Should they fall, these beginners can recover to the standing position unaided. Case in point; three blind teenagers were part of a learn-to-skate program. Each boy had 50 minutes of individual instruction. At the end of their lesson, each could do a T-start; stride around the arena; and do a snow plow stop. At no time during the lesson were they physically assisted. All of this was achieved because each had their stability and balance instantly under control. Changing the lacing pattern of the skates permitted the first movement a humanoid must make before they can walk or run; jump or land; sit or stand. Otherwise there is no controlled movement of the legs. That first movement is the ability to first lean forward. This positions the weight of the body directly over the balls of the feet to provide balance and stability.

The Art & Soul of Ice Skating is an extraordinary journey into Dorothy's lyrical, philosophical, and artistic visions of ice skating. Her playful artwork and storytelling come together with whimsical philosophy to bring the depth of ice skating to life. Each work of art is accompanied by a message inspired by 60 years on the ice as a competitor, teacher, choreographer, and life coach. Dorothy's wish is that her love of skating and art speaks to your soul and inspires you in your own journey.

"Sewing for Gymnasts" is the third title in Marie Porter's "Spandex Simplified" series, and is all about designing and creating spectacular and durable leotards for gymnasts of all disciplines - Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Tumbling, Acrobatic Gymnastics, Aerobic Gymnastics, and more. This book is appropriate for beginner to advanced levels of sewing ability, and is written from both a designer, and former "performance" athlete's point of view. It will teach everything from the basics, to tricks of the trade. "Spandex Simplified: Sewing for Gymnastss" will prepare the reader to design and make almost any design of practice or competition leotard imaginable. Given the cost of decent competition leotards - or even practice leos - this manual will more than pay for itself with the savings from just one project Sewing for Gymnasts is written in laymans' terms, featuring carefully explained, step by step instructions, as well as many full colour photos and sketches. Only basic sewing knowledge and talent is required. Learn everything from measuring, to easily creating ornate applique designs, to embellishing the finished leotard in one book

"Sewing for Skaters" is the second title in Marie Porter's "Spandex Simplified" series, and is all about designing and creating spectacular and durable figure skating dresses. It combines techniques taught in two of Marie's early manuals ("Skaters and Gynmasts and Dancers... Oh My " & "The Skating Dress Style Book"), updated with new styles and techniques... now in beautiful full color, featuring many photos and sketches This book is appropriate for beginner to advanced levels of sewing ability, and is written from both a designer, and former figure skater's point of view. It will teach everything from the basics, to tricks of the trade. "Spandex Simplified: Sewing for Skaters" will prepare the reader to design and make almost any design of practice or competition dress imaginable. Given the cost of decent competition suits - or even practice dresses - this manual will more than pay for itself with the savings from just one project The entire book is written completely in laymans' terms and carefully explained, step by step. Only basic sewing knowledge and talent is required. Learn everything from measuring, to easily creating ornate applique designs, to embellishing the finished suit in one book

How does a boy from rural Pennsylvania become an all-American original style icon and celebrity TV personality, adored by millions of fans worldwide and hailed as "the Lady Gaga of figure skating" (Salon.com)?

In a memoir as candid and unconventional as Johnny Weir himself, the three-time U.S. National Champion, who electrified the 2010 Winter Olympics, shares his glamorous, gritty, heartbreaking, hopeful, and just plain fabulous life story, and reveals the emergence of his natural talents for skating and horseback riding, the physically and emotionally grinding path to becoming a champion, a family that sacrificed everything to support his passions, an ability to rise again after the most devastating defeats and never look back, an appreciation of style (from his mom) and self-discipline (that would be his dad), and a fearless confidence to be himself and say whatever's on his mind.