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  • Jackson Haines: The Skating King
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Jackson Haines: The Skating King Hardcover – Oct. 7 2023

by Ryan Stevens (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
4.3 on Goodreads
24 ratings

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"Ryan's journalistic ability to unearth historical details and mix them into a compelling story is first-class! While balancing accuracy and fairness, he reveals a man whose life demonstrated enormous talent and creativity, celebrity and human frailty." - Debbi Wilkes, Olympic Silver Medallist, author and figure skating commentator

"Informative, lively and scholarly, without being dry, packing in a wealth of figure skating history... Impeccable." - Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review

Jackson Haines left America during the height of the Civil War and embarked on a remarkable journey across Europe. With his ingenious translation of ballet onto the ice, he revolutionized the world of figure skating. Mesmerizing Czars and Emperors with his breathtaking performances, he became a catalyst for the creation of several of the world's oldest skating clubs. He left such an indelible impact that he is remembered today as The Father of Figure Skating.

In this captivating biography, figure skating historian Ryan Stevens masterfully recounts Jackson Haines' incredible story, from his modest origins in New York to his tragic death in Finland in 1875 - both on and off the ice.

If you are curious about the history of figure skating, this book will both surprise and fascinate you.

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  1. Part of series
    The Legends of Figure Skating
  2. Print length
    183 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    Oct. 7 2023
  5. Dimensions
    15.84 x 1.65 x 23.46 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1738768228
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1738768226
Next slide of product details

Product description

Review

"Jackson Haines in my opinion is one of the most important ice skaters in the history of figure skating. His influence on the art and sport of figure skating should not be underestimated. When you follow the historical journey of ice skating you can see his footprint (or should I say blade print) in today's competitive and artistic skating. He was the father of spins, he populated music with skating and the use of the most elaborate costumes. This book by Ryan Stevens is a wonderful read and insightful account of the man that would be called The Skating King." - Christopher Dean OBE, Olympic Gold Medallist (1984), World Champion (1981-1984)

"I've known the name for many years and I thought I knew his place in history. This book has given me a whole new level of insight to a man who created his own path and helped pioneer the sport I love." - Robin Cousins MBE, Olympic Gold Medallist, figure skating (1980)

"Ryan's journalistic ability to unearth historical details and mix them into a compelling story is first-class! While balancing accuracy and fairness, he reveals a man whose life demonstrated enormous talent and creativity, celebrity and human frailty. You may not like every part of Jackson Haines, but you will definitely marvel at his genius and at the sacrifices he made as an artist and inventor of modern skating." - Debbi Wilkes, Olympic Silver Medallist, television analyst and author of "Ice Time: A Portrait of Figure Skating"

"Informative, lively, and scholarly without being dry, packing in a wealth of figure skating history information that uses the life of Jackson Haines to bring together the influences and innovations that make figure skating a notable sport and attraction today. Libraries and readers interested in a biography which also serves as a sports history, holding the ability to reach out into a general-interest audience, must obtain Jackson Haines: The Skating King. Its blend of scholarly history and engaging information is impeccable." - Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review

"Jackson Haines, The Skating King, tells the real story of the man considered to be the father of figure skating. Stevens has meticulously researched Haines' life from his upbringing in the United States, to his successful entertainment career in North America and Europe, to his untimely death at 36. Extensive footnotes attest to the accuracy of Stevens' information. Look no further for the truth about Jackson Haines." - Yvonne Butorac

About the Author

Award-winning author Ryan Stevens lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has been an authority on the history of figure skating for over a decade. His blog Skate Guard has thousands of readers around the world. Midwest Book Review calls his work "informative, lively, and scholarly."Ryan has written for Skating magazine and U.S. Figure Skating and has been consulted on figure skating history by museums and television programs on CBC, NBC and ITV.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ryan Stevens
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ Oct. 7 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 183 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1738768228
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1738768226
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 381 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.84 x 1.65 x 23.46 cm
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ The Legends of Figure Skating
  • 鶹 Rank: #2,959,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

About the author

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Ryan Stevens

Ryan Stevens

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Award-winning author Ryan Stevens is a respected authority on figure skating history. For over a decade, his popular blog Skate Guard has attracted thousands of readers worldwide. Midwest Book Review describes his work as "informative, lively, and scholarly."

Ryan has contributed to Skating magazine and U.S. Figure Skating, and his expertise has been sought by museums and broadcasters including CBC, NBC and ITV. He is the author of Jackson Haines: The Skating King and Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice.

Ryan lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can follow his blog Skate Guard on Facebook @SkateGuard and Instagram @SkateGuardBlog.

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4.6 out of 5 stars
14 global ratings

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Top reviews from Canada

  • Gail Duffy
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting read!
    Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The story of Jackson Haines allows us insight into his life and amazing talent/creativity... a great read for everyone interested in the history of skating!
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  • Phillippa
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is wonderfully important,
    Reviewed in Canada on October 9, 2023
    Some figure skaters jump higher than others, spin faster than others, execute more tricks than others—doubles, triples, delayed, in combination—but very few, in the storied history of skating, were able to create emotional impact, excitement, and enduring memories. Jackson Haines did all of this. And he did it 150 years ago.

    Ryan Stevens has produced a compelling and highly readable chronicle of the astonishing life and times of the father of figure skating, Jackson Haines (1838-1875). Haines is renowned for introducing artistry, theatricality, musicality, and expression into skating—on blades and on ball-bearings. Across Europe, Russia, and North America, fans bundled up to watch him perform on frozen outdoor ponds. They packed into theatres to see him glide across the stage on roller skates. Anyone who ever saw Haines perform, knows that they witnessed something unusual and extraordinary.

    This book is an important contribution to the understanding of figure skating. Stevens weaves a vibrant tapestry of fact, chronology, personality, innovation, colour, commitment, focus and perseverance. Ryan Stevens has not only unravelled a complicated set of facts in a story that unfolded in extraordinary times, he has given us an icon. You will love this book.
    Phillippa Cranston Baran

    Note: I received a free advance copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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  • Pj K.
    5.0 out of 5 stars WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SKATING...
    Reviewed in Canada on October 24, 2023
    Ryan Stevens is a master story teller and I find myself transported back in time with every turn of the page in this book. As with all of Ryan's work, I want to be able to curl up in a cosy corner with a cup of tea and savour every detail. I have been involved in figure skating for my whole life and this book reminds me that there is so much to know and Ryan is the one I want guiding me on this journey - Jackson Haines: The Skating King is no exception. Thanks for your hard work Ryan, your attention to detail and the heart and soul you put into sharing figure skating's greatest stories. (This makes a great gift for the skating or sports fan in your world!)
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  • S. J. Main
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting historical memoir
    Reviewed in Canada on February 12, 2024
    In the enchanting pages of “The Skating King,” figure skating historian Ryan Stevens skillfully brings to life the remarkable journey of Jackson Haines, a figure skating luminary who left an indelible mark on the world during a time of great historical turbulence—the height of the Civil War. From his modest beginnings in New York to his tragic demise in Finland in 1875, Haines’s life on and off the ice unfolds in this captivating biography. Stevens, with meticulous detail, recounts the extraordinary tale of a man who, with ingenious translations of ballet onto the ice, transformed figure skating into an art form that mesmerized Czars, Emperors, and audiences across Europe.

    Hailed as The Father of Figure Skating, Jackson Haines is not just a historical figure; he is a catalyst for the creation of some of the world’s oldest skating clubs. Stevens takes readers on a journey through Haines’s breathtaking performances that left audiences in awe, paving the way for the sport’s evolution. The biography delves into Haines’s impact, exploring the creation of skating clubs and his enduring legacy that reverberates in the world of figure skating today.

    Set against the backdrop of the Victorian era in both North America and Europe, the biography offers more than a historical account—it’s a narrative that unfolds during a pivotal time in history. Readers are transported to music hall revues and skating ponds, gaining a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Haines’s family life and the challenges he faced.

    Stevens’s approach goes beyond a simple recounting of facts; it is a meticulous presentation of in-depth research that unveils aspects of Haines’s life not previously available. The goal of the biography is clear—to allow the audience to form their own opinions about this brilliant yet flawed individual, presenting a nuanced portrait of a man who played a pivotal role in shaping the world of figure skating.

    For those curious about the history of figure skating, “The Skating King” is a revelation that surprises and fascinates. It is more than a biography; it is a tribute to an unsung hero who revolutionized a sport and left an enduring legacy. Ryan Stevens’s meticulous research and storytelling prowess make this book an essential read for anyone captivated by the magic of figure skating and the intriguing stories that lie beneath the surface.
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  • Daniel de Paix international juge J’ai commandé et payé deux fois sans jamais recevoir ce livre
    5.0 out of 5 stars Je recommande
    Reviewed in France on November 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Je recommande ce livre j’en ai acheté deux exemplaires
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  • Valerie A.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read. Highly recommend…!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    So much of figure skating’s history has been lost. Ryan’s knack for weaving what could be boring details into a page-turner is second to none.
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  • Martina Frammartino
    4.0 out of 5 stars From the creator of Skateguard blog an incredible job in researching the sources
    Reviewed in Italy on July 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I discovered the Skateguard blog a few years ago, and was amazed by the incredible amount of information it contains. Some events I knew, many more were unknown to me, but all were fascinating. Now the creator of the blog, Ryan Stevens, has decided to tell some of these stories in book form.
    Jackson Haines. The Skating King is the fourt book written by Stevens. I came across the name of Haines in I don't know how many books dedicated to figure skating, but in all of them he was just one skater among many. Of course, his contribution to making figure skating the sport we know is very important and is recognized by all, but at most a couple of pages were dedicated to his story and, apparently, it contained numerous errors.
    Stevens has done an incredible job in researching the sources and reconstructing the life of what must have been an extraordinary athlete and artist. The only shame is that, given the era in which he lived, only short texts remain that mention Haines presence in a place, make us understand the impact he had, but that can only give us a glimpse of who he really was.
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  • scanda
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Look Into Skating History
    Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    "Jackson Haines: The Skating King," written by former top figure skater and judge, Ryan Stevens, is a really great look into the life and work of the man who made figure skating popular. This detailed book brings to life the story of Jackson Haines, covering his career highs and personal lows in an engaging way.

    I really loved how Stevens dug deep to clear up the mix of rumors and different stories about Haines. The book shows a clear understanding of its subject, thanks to Stevens’ detailed research and his own experiences in figure skating. I very much appreciated the author's commitment to facts and research (there's even a list of competition accounts in the book!). I also appreciated the wonderful historical pictures added to the book, working well with the detailed descriptions throughout.

    The book is all about the world of 19th century figure skating, showing the love, creativity, and hard work that Haines put into it. But there is also sadness as it covers Haines' disconnection from his family back in the U.S., which added a serious note to his successful career. But without giving too much away, Stevens gives some insights into this part of Haines' life. While it doesn't make his leaving right, it gives readers a look into the complicated and stressful situations Haines was dealing with, highlighting the personal side of his life and the time he lived in. This reminder shows that even the greatest people, no matter their public successes, have private struggles and make difficult choices.

    Reading "Jackson Haines: The Skating King" feels like watching a great figure skating performance – it grabs your attention, is smooth, and leaves a strong impression. It made me think differently about the sport and gave me a new respect for its history and how it has grown. In the memorable words of Stevens, this book definitely makes Jackson Haines' story "short of legendary."
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  • gl
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating, well-researched book about the founding father of ice skating.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I went into reading this book not knowing very much about skating. Like many people, I enjoy watching the skating events during the Olympics. If I hear it, I can recognize the names of the most famous competitors, but that’s about it.
    Jackson Haines: The Skating King is a fascinating, well-researched book about the founding father of ice skating. Not only was it an engaging read, but it also sparked an interest in the topic to the extent that I found myself watching ice skating tutorials and researching the evolution of jumps. Stevens gave me a new respect and sense of awe for the sport.
    Readers will become privy to details about Haines’s personal life and extensive travels that illustrate clearly the accomplishments he achieved despite obstacles he encountered. Stevens also clears up the misinformation that exists about the skater.
    Though born in New York in 1838 and the son of a fruit dealer, he spent much of his life overseas and skated for kings. In a time before indoor ice-skating rinks, he continued to make public appearances on parlour skates (early roller skates) during warmer weather. Haines invented what was called the One-foot Spin, peculiar/ Jackson Haines Spin now referred to as a sit spin. Another one of his technical innovations was, from descriptions, something akin to the Cantilever back-end trick. Haines preferred to skate to music and his performances were more akin to graceful, athletic ballets. He also brought a sense of humor to ice-skating and at times dressed as a woman or a bear, these performances giving off burlesque vibes.
    I heartily recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the history of ice skating.
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