THE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI BOOK.

ByJohnny Caldwell '50. Brattleboro, Vt.:Stephen Greene Press, 1964. 80 pp. $1.95(paperbound), $3.50 (hardbound).

SKI JUMPING (2nd edition). By DavidBradley '3B. Hanover, N. H.: Roger Burt,1964. 42 pp. $2.00 (paperbound).

During the past decade, the fortunes of our country's international ski competitors have increased greatly in the Alpine events - downhill and slalom - climaxed by the magnificent showing of our top men in the 1964 Olympics. These successes have been built on a broad base of participation in skiing by the American public which now numbers fifteen million skiers. But our country is still in a relatively youthful stage in its skiing.history and our efforts in the Nordic events - cross-country and jumping - fall woefully short of most European countries. It is not difficult to deduce that the low level of interest and participation in these events is the reason.

These two excellent books hopefully will provide a measure of the inspiration and motivation necessary to sustain the growing wave of interest in these sports which form such an important, yet to most Americans, little-known aspect of skiing.

In the first, Johnny Caldwell points out the fact that it makes plain good sense for a family interested in skiing to explore the joys of cross-country. It's less expensive, less dangerous, much more convenient for most, probably more healthful, and it sure is equally as enjoyable as the downhill variety.

John is well qualified to present the wealth of information on cross-country skiing that he does, having himself been an Olympic competitor and now being coach of skiing at Putney School. His light-hearted yet thorough treatment of equipment, technique, waxing, and suggestions on racing, is really all one needs to take up the sport. This, plus two inches of snow on the local golf course and you're a cross-country skier, with years of enjoyment ahead for you and the family.

Ski-jumping is a slightly different story for most readers of this magazine, but Dave Bradley's book will serve as an inspiration to those potential Dartmouth men in the family. The sport has evolved rapidly in the past few years and Dave has been one of its most astute students. In this small volume he has distilled 30 years of experience into a most lucid presentation.

Contrary to popular opinion, ski-jumping is not nearly as dangerous as, say, downhill skiing. And it can be learned at a tender age. Dave is teaching boys as young as second grade here in Hanover, and by junior high school they're ready for the 40-meter hill on the golf course.

The training of a young ski-jumper requires careful coaching and, most importantly, older, more proficient jumpers for the beginner to imitate. Dave has arranged his book with cinematographic pictures to provide a moving perfect example as well as individual "frames" at key stages of the inrun, take-off, flight, and landing. The explanatory text is brief and to the point. It is basically a picture book - as it should be.

If you're at all interested in skiing — or have children who are - you'll enjoy these two little gems. We heartily recommend them both to you.

Reviewer Breed is seen often skiing theback trails in Hanover - but never on the40-meter.