Hosoi

My Life as a Skateboarder Junkie Inmate Pastor

Description

A 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.

Fans 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.

Hosoi: 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.


How does one of the world’s greatest athletes go from global fame to a prison cell—and find hope in the last place he expected?


  • An Unfiltered Look at the 1980s Skate Scene: Go inside the legendary rivalry with Tony Hawk, where "Style vs. Tech" defined a generation of skaters at iconic spots like Marina Del Rey.
  • A Raw Rise-and-Fall Narrative: Trace the dizzying path from a rock-star lifestyle of Hollywood parties and global fame to the grips of a devastating crystal meth addiction.
  • A Powerful Story of Redemption: Discover the profound transformation of hitting rock bottom in a prison cell and finding a second chance, trading the title of ‘Junkie’ and ‘Inmate’ for ‘Pastor.’
  • More Than a Pro Skater Biography: Featuring candid stories about skateboarding pioneers like Jay Adams and Tony Alva, this tell-all is an essential piece of skateboarding history.

About the author(s)

Christian Hosoi is widely recognized as one of the greatest skateboarders of all time. A professional by thirteen, he went on to become an industry icon. After serving time in prison for drug trafficking, he devoted his life to Christianity. Since then, he has risen to prominence in the skateboarding world once again and was the subject of a full-length documentary narrated by Dennis Hopper, Rising Son. Hosoi is an outreach pastor at the Sanctuary, "the raddest church" in Huntington Beach, and lives in Southern California with his wife, Jennifer, and four sons.

Chris Ahrens has worked as a full-time writer for nearly thirty years, with four popular books on surfing to his credit and bylines in publications that include the Los Angeles Times, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Outside, Family Circle, Skateboarder, Surfer, Surfing, and The Surfer's Journal. He wrote and directed the award-winning skateboarding documentary D.O.P.E. (Death or Prison Eventually), and served as editor-in-chief of Risen magazine from its inception in 2002 until May 2010.

Reviews

“His true desire shines through.” - Publishers Weekly

“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.” - Christian Retailing

“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.” - Tony Hawk

“Christian is responsible for transcending the underground skateboarding lifestyle into a mainstream sport. He is the sport’s first rock star.” - Danny Way

“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.” - Brian "Head" Welch

“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!” - Stephen Baldwin

“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.” - Grant Brittain

“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.” - Publishers Weekly

“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”.” - Publishers Weekly

“The man who invented the Christ-Air is telling his story in his new book Hosoi: My Life as a Skateboarder Junkie Inmate Pastor. Even if you’ve seen the documentary, Rising Son, the book is a must read. It offers lessons from specific stories and info from his riveting life.” - Mass Appeal

“...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.” - Hypebeast

“The man who invented the Christ-Air is telling his story in his new book. Even if you’ve seen the documentary, Rising Son, the book is a must read. It offers lessons from specific stories and info from his riveting life.” - Mass Appeal

“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.” - ESPN's Grantland

“Christian is one of the very few greats and one of the most important skateboarders in skate history.” - Stacy Peralta

“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.” - Jay Adams

“Check out Christian Hosoi’s new book, as in go get it now!” - SkateBible Blog

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