{"product_id":"hosoi-my-life-as-a-skateboarder-junkie-inmate-pastor-isbn-9780062024305","title":"Hosoi: My Life as a Skateboarder Junkie Inmate Pastor","description":"\u003cp\u003eA mix of Tony Hawk and Brian Welch comes together in skateboarding legend Christian Hosoi, who reveals everything about his rise, fall, and redemption, in this amazing tell-all—from being named the greatest skater of all time to bottoming out on drugs to finally finding redemption through God.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFans of Slater Kelly’s Pipe Dreams and Brian Welch’s Save Me From Myself, and followers of Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Steve Caballero, will be captivated by this extraordinary, star-studded story, a gripping read that ranges from the heart of the 1980s skateboarding scene to the inside of a prison, from Hollywood parties to intense prayer sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHosoi: My Life as a Skateboarder Junkie Inmate Pastor takes readers to the heart of one little-known world after another—and he portrays them in all their gore and glory for all the world to see.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat does it take for the self-proclaimed god of skateboarding to hit rock bottom—and find his way back?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStyle vs. Tech:\u003c\/b\u003e Go inside the legendary rivalry with Tony Hawk, a clash of styles that defined a generation of skateboarding and pushed both icons to their limits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e80s Skate Scene:\u003c\/b\u003e A raw, behind-the-scenes look at the Dogtown-era of skateboarding, from the empty pools of Southern California to the drug-fueled Hollywood parties of the rich and famous.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRise and Fall Narrative:\u003c\/b\u003e Witness the harrowing descent into crystal meth addiction that cost Hosoi his career, his freedom, and nearly his life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRedemption Story:\u003c\/b\u003e A powerful Christian testimony of finding faith in a federal prison, and the unbelievable journey from inmate to pastor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003eRaised at the legendary Marina Del Rey Skatepark—where his father was the manager and the Dogtown and Z-Boys crew were his mentors—Christian Hosoi never questioned that he would become a full-time skateboarder. But no one could have predicted his meteoric rise to the apex of a burgeoning sport—or the spectacular way he would crash and then create himself anew.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA professional skater by thirteen, known for his rock-star flair and dramatic aerials, Hosoi was at the top of the world before he was twenty, engaged in the rivalry that would shape years of skating: Christian Hosoi vs. Tony Hawk. At the height of his celebrity in the late 1980s and early '90s, Hosoi was the highest-paid skateboarder in the world and made the most of his celebrity status, counting Hollywood's elite as his friends. But the kid who first got stoned at age eight later found himself smoking meth full-time. And as Hawk walked away with every accolade, Hosoi went underground. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn January 2000, he was convicted for trafficking $65,000's worth of methamphetamine across state lines. In this gripping memoir, Hosoi recounts the crushing reality of his prison sentence and the day he made the phone call that would save him—to his now-wife, Jennifer. She guided Hosoi toward Christianity, to the faith that sustained him in prison, welcoming him into a new life when he was released nearly five years later.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the summer of 2009, Hosoi won the gold medal in the X Games Legends Competition. He won gold again in 2010. And now Hosoi's classic skateboard designs are flying off the shelves once again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePacked with interviews from skateboarding stars past and present, \u003cem\u003eHosoi\u003c\/em\u003e is not only a tell-all about fame, fortune, and failure—it's also a strong testimony to the power of faith and the gift of change.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“His true desire shines through.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Top skater Christian Hosoi has been described as ‘a mix of Tony Hawk and Brian Welch.’ Now he tells of his journey, from being celebrated as the world’s best aerial skateboarder to succumbing drug addiction to finding redemption. From the ‘80s skateboarding scene to prison, parties and prayer, Hosoi reveals the testimony of this athlete-turned-pastor.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eChristian Retailing\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Christian was my biggest competition, and when he was on fire, he was unbeatable. I have great reverence for him. We had a blast. We were paving a path with no idea where it would lead.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTony Hawk\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Christian is responsible for transcending the underground skateboarding lifestyle into a mainstream sport.  He is the sport’s first rock star.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDanny Way\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Christian and I gained the whole world, then lost everything that makes life worth living, and found victory on the other side.  Christian’s amazing story will help multitudes find their true identity.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBrian \"Head\" Welch\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Only one thing soars higher than Christian skating vert and that’s his love and commitment to God.  If you dare drop in on Hosoi’s life, you’re in for a gnarly ride!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStephen Baldwin\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Skateboarding is a monster nobody can control, but Christian was one of the few skaters that forever changed the way people skate.  As skateboarding’s rock star in the ‘80’s, Christian was everywhere.  It’s like we turned around and he was gone.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eGrant Brittain\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“You don’t have to like skateboarding to like Hosoi. Brilliantly written with Chris Ahrens, Hosoi’s memoir does more than tell-all; he includes extended passages written by friends and more than 100 photos to show how he rose to the top of his sport and turned it into art. . . . This tell-all and fall from grace is different from all the others in its rad truthfulness mixed in the end with evangelical fervor.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Somehow in all the autobiographical mix of self-deprecation and aggrandizement, his true desire shines through: “My hope and prayer is that you also meet the One and Only”.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The man who invented the Christ-Air is telling his story in his new book \u003ci\u003eHosoi: My Life as a Skateboarder Junkie Inmate Pastor\u003c\/i\u003e. Even if you’ve seen the documentary, \u003ci\u003eRising Son\u003c\/i\u003e, the book is a must read. It offers lessons from specific stories and info from his riveting life.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMass Appeal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“...a tell-all biography documenting his rise to dominance, his subsequent incarceration, and recent return to the sport that made him a legend - all told by Hosoi himself.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHypebeast\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The man who invented the Christ-Air is telling his story in his new book. Even if you’ve seen the documentary, \u003ci\u003eRising Son\u003c\/i\u003e, the book is a must read. It offers lessons from specific stories and info from his riveting life.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMass Appeal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Christian Hosoi was…carving full sentences into the cement with his perfect runs. He was the one with the swagger to pull off women’s jeans, hair extensions, and the blasphemous nickname ‘Christ.’ Tricks are for kids. Hosoi was trying to see the sun.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eESPN's Grantland\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Christian is one of the very few greats and one of the most important skateboarders in skate history.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStacy Peralta\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“I’ve always said that Christian had the best style of skateboarding-ever.  It’s amazing how similar our lives have been.  It’s good to see him overcome everything that he has.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJay Adams\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Check out Christian Hosoi’s new book, as in go get it now!” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSkateBible Blog\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperOne","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888009015525,"sku":"NP9780062024305","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062024305.jpg?v=1730227944","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/hosoi-my-life-as-a-skateboarder-junkie-inmate-pastor-isbn-9780062024305","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}