"There was a time when running the mile in four minutes was believed to be beyond the limits of human foot speed. In 1952, after suffering defeat at the Helsinki Olympics, three world-class runners each set out to break this barrier: Roger Bannister was a young English medical student who epitomized the ideal of the amateur; John Landy the privileged son of a genteel Australian family; and Wes Santee the swaggering American, a Kansas farm boy and...

Skateboarding: the background, technicality, culture, rebellion, marketing, conflict, and future of the global sport as seen through two of its most influential geniuses Since it all began half a century ago, skateboarding has come to mystify some and to mesmerize many, including its tens of millions of adherents throughout America and the world. And yet, as ubiquitous as it is today, its origins, manners, and methods are little understood. The Impossible...

Overcoming vertigo - and countless injuries which left him officially 60% disabled - the 'Real Spiderman' has scaled over 70 skyscrapers worldwide: from the Petronas Towers in Malaysia to Taipei 101, from Chicago's Sears Tower to Canary Wharf in London. Reward and punishment have been received in equal measure - the flamboyant Frenchman has gained international fame and raised thousands of pounds for charity, but has also been arrested, beaten and...

Incredible but True Stories of Confronting Death and Emerging Victorious The rock climber who cut off his own arm with a penknife. The hiker who fought off a mountain lion. Passengers who survive the crash of a bush plane in Alaska. We read headlines we sometimes find hard to believe, yet there are on record dozens of such events. Here is a collection of tales from everyday people who faced terrible odds, accidents, extreme weather, wild animals,...

Updated for 2020. The book describes the thrilling sport of BMX racing and its riders and includes information on equipment, technique, and races.

What does it take to be an athlete, and how do athletes choose their sport? Some athletes compete because they like to win, and some play sports because they like to work with others on a team. Whether you're competing on a team or alone, there is a sport for everyone! Featuring TIME For Kids content, this Spanish book introduces students to different sports from around the world, and discusses what it takes to be an athlete. This high-interest title...

Tackle today's toughest races while learning fractions! Marvel as contestants around the world climb, crawl, run, and jump through the world's toughest marathons and obstacle courses. This book combines mathematics and literacy skills, and uses practical, real-world examples of problem solving to teach math and language arts content. Students will learn fractions while engaged in reading high-interest content. The glossary, index, and table of contents...

Did you know that the top BMX vert riders can race up and down ramps to show off awesome stunts like no-handed 900° aerial spins? They can rotate their bikes two and a half times while airborne. They do moves such as cliffhangers and tailwhips, wowing fans and judges alike.