I bought this book after picking up a copy of Concrete Wave magazine. There was an interview for the author and a few photos from the book which I found very interesting.
When I started skateboarding it was in 1986, and at the height of popularity in my area. Every shop was covered with neon deck designs and day glo plastic parts for sale. I don't remember many (if any) wheels that were natural colored white, everything was bright and loud. Every company stood out, there was no mistake for a Vision board or a G&S, you could even tell the difference from the shapes alone.
I never actually had a board from these years, my parents bought me a generic board while my friends all had the skate shop specials. So all I could do is read the Transworld and Thrasher magazines at the super market.
Years later, I wanted to buy a reissue board and while searching around I knew there was a few favorites that were missing. The reissue market is mostly Santa Cruz and Powell, with some other brands like a few Vision. After finding this book from reading Concrete Wave, I was amazed at the amount of skateboards I remember and the ones that I didn't.
The book is produced on a nice thick cover and each page is very thick, also there is a bit of distressed look to the pages. Each deck is photographed very clearly, and the range of graphics is amazing, I had no ideas there were so many colors to some of the decks or alternate graphics.
I think the part that really surprised me was how I could remember so many of the boards and who had them. It also kinda of made me realize that how technical skating has gotten really left behind the unique shapes that defined some of the boards. I just recently bought my first longboard and find it's more fun as their shapes and design are fun since it's different from each other.
In closing, if you have any interest in skating history or just interested in the graphics, or even wanting to create your own custom skateboard, this is a great resource. The book covers from the beginning of skateboarding, to about 2007.
BTW my favorite skateboard?
The Schmitt Stick John Lucreo from 1987.