- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Drawing on author John Cullen's years of experience as both a stand-up comic and an elite curler, Curling Rocks! offers a lighthearted, expertly detailed look at a unique sport and its history, from the most absurd curling fashions to the most sublime matches ever played.
The sport of curling continues to expand its global reach, attracting new players and fans far beyond traditional strongholds. Yet, even in Canada—a country with a long curling history and fifteen hundred clubs of its own—the game is often dismissed as an eccentric pastime.
According to author John Cullen, this is because curling is both inherently funny and chronically underestimated as a battle of skill and strategy. And Cullen is perfectly qualified to make this double-edged claim: not only is he a stand-up comic with many years of experience at the mic, but he's had years on the ice as an elite curler.
Because most previous books on curling have been either how-to guides or standard biographies of prominent players, there has long been space for a reader-friendly overview of the "roaring game" (a nickname inspired by the sound of the forty-pound stone en route to its target). Curling Rocks! sets out to fill this gap with a lighthearted, expertly detailed account of the sport, ranging from the absurd to the sublime. Next to his observations on ill-fitting fashions and odd scandals—among them "Broomgate," when controversial new sweeping technology almost took out the curling world—Cullen offers insights on everything from the greatest matches ever played to the peculiar heartbreak that comes with losing.
In these inviting, irreverent and often deeply personal essays, Cullen finally gives the perplexing, beloved game its due.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Half Title Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Introduction: Just Another Nashville Curling Story…
- Chapter 1: Trading Hockey for Curling: A Canadian Love Story
- Chapter 2: What Is Curling? Baby Don’t Hurt Me
- Chapter 3: No Sweep till Brooklyn
- Chapter 4: No, You Will Not Make the Olympics in Curling
- Chapter 5: It’s Time to Play the Game
- Chapter 6: My Favourite End Ever #1: Ferbey versus Dacey, 2004 Brier Final, 10th End
- Chapter 7: A Cause for Celebration: Curling’s Greatest-Ever Cellies
- Chapter 8: Celebrate Good Times… Or Not
- Chapter 9: The Worst Loss Ever
- Chapter 10: The Worst Win Ever
- Chapter 11: My Favourite End Ever #2: Martin versus Murdoch, 2009 World Championships Final, 10th End
- Chapter 12: It’s Called Curling Fashion, Look It Up
- Chapter 13: All-Time First-Name Team: Men
- Chapter 14: All-Time First-Name Team: Women
- Chapter 15 Broomgate
- Chapter 16: Curling’s Other #Gates
- Chapter 17: Building the Perfect Curler
- Chapter 18: Who Is the Greatest Male Curler of All Time?
- Chapter 19: Who Is the Greatest Female Curler of All Time?
- Chapter 20: The Final End
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author