Just Exactly Perfect
Just Exactly Perfect tells the story of the author’s initiation as a ski bum in the 1980s of Vermont. The book also presents a compelling collection of Ed Brennan’s uniquely philosophical ski columns from the local weekly newspaper. The book inspires the reader to go get that powder day, or to sharpen their edges for firm conditions.
The Green Mountains of central Vermont are home to Sugarbush Resort and Mad River Glen. Just Exactly Perfect portrays the well-known skiers, as well as the not so well known; those who ski the woods or the open trails; and those who test themselves on a race course. Ed Brennan tells readers about the ski school that introduced centered skiing and the local skiers who earned fame in Warren Miller movies.
Cautionary Tales of Skiing and Being
Ed Brennan has written the Along the Fall Line alpine ski column for more than five years. His columns are a surprising mix of ski tales, philosophical discussions, and chairlift-ride musings. A perennial searcher, Ed weaves together psychology, Buddhism, Transcendentalism, Yankee proverbs and Grateful Dead lyrics. Escaping the boundaries of ski columns, he creates a reading experience as complex as a six-sided snowflake.
About the author
Edward Brennan
Edward Brennan is a ski columnist, a former Sugarbush ski instructor and a Masters ski racer. Ed Brennan spent his formative years as an aspiring ski bum. Off the snow, Brennan is a professional fundraiser for a Vermont nonprofit organization.
Kind Words
Larry Beinhart, author of Wag the Dog
Skiing transforms winter. … If there’s anything categorically better than skiing, I don’t know what it is. … That being the case, it’s weird, it’s SAD, that there are only about ten or twelve good books about the sport. That includes novels (just two of them), how to manuals, and travel guides. And this one, Just Exactly Perfect, by Edward Brennan.
David Goodman, author of Best Backcountry Skiing the in the Northeast
Ed Brennan is a master of flow. He elevates skiing from the realm of mere physical balance between mind, body and Earth. … Ed has the rare talent of being able to flow on skis and also on the printed page. … Enjoy flowing along with him. I certainly did.
Dan Egan, author of 30 Years in a White Haze
Just Exactly Perfect captures the heart and rhythm of the Mad River Valley. Through characters, legends, and local lore, Brennan reveals where it all began and the people who gave this valley its unmistakable soul. … A love letter to mountain culture.