I went on a bit of a search lately for actual printed books about yoyos. Yeah, I get it. I hear eyes rolling all over the internet. 
But I have been finding a few gems.
Maybe I should tackle the “why?” question, considering that there are so many online videos and other resources. I like books. If the Sun’s up they take no power to read. I’ll admit I like the online stuff as well – I’ve learned a few tricks and even just watching somebody throw down some amazing moves is cool.
I wanted to find some older books, because back in the day a lot of the history and development of the sport was discussed in almost every book before they got to showing off how to throw a Gravity Pull. As an old dude who relates well to 0A and responsive throws, I also wanted to go back and dust off some of the stuff I’ve forgotten in the 50+ years since I was in Grade Four. What floats my boat, anyway. So I’ll share interesting tidbits as I run across them…
I was lately reading World On A String by Helane Zeiger. Not the earliest book as I was just graduating from high school when she wrote it. I found her history interesting – she was a well-known player in the big US contests in the 1950s and she was one of Duncan’s ambassadors. Even years later she was often giving demonstrations in schools and to youth groups, so there’s a lot of cool sociology happening there.
I had a chuckle when she was writing about getting a yoyo to sleep. She says that most players should be able to get the yoyo to sleep for at least four or five seconds, and says the real pros knew how to throw a 10-second sleeper. Well! Can just about time my OD Still Rollin with a calendar. And I’m nowhere near “good.” Things do change, sometimes for the better.
rEvolve