BASE 66 is the true, nerve-wracking account of three young skydivers and their quest for membership in the most select extreme sports club on earth: The BASE club. In order to become a full-fledged member, Jevto Dedijer, Bernard Poirier, and Scott Elder had to parachute from the top of a building, an antenna tower, a bridge and a cliff, and survive to tell the story”a feat only some 800 adrenaline addicted people have succeeded in doing.
In BASE 66, Jevto Dedijer tells the tale of his hunger for the ultimate adrenaline rush. He and his companions shared several near death experiences while traveling across Europe with their parachutes and beer in Bernards dented Renault 4.
They were pioneers in a sport so dangerous that several of their fellow BASE jumpers died in action.
"I love this story of personal triumphs and adventures"
Written By: Faissal
I highly recommend this book if you like stories of adventures and personal struggles. When I got this book I was just curious to read what a BASE jumper had to say because I was getting into parkour, had just jumped off an eight feet high wall (and yes, I had started as a couch potato), and was left thinking: "I wonder how great it would feel to fall thousands of feet!" Moreover, the subtitle "A Story of Fear, Fun, and Freefall" got to me, since I liked being in situations where I was constantly in fear, like being on the edge of a Manhattan high rise, or being in the bushes surrounded by 'enemy' paintballers, or hurtling down a mountain on skis. What I hadn't realized was how much more this book was a treat.
The book tells a tale of a person's personal struggles. Struggles of being alone, struggles of a new life with very little money, struggles of trying not to get the parents worried, and the tremendous personal endeavors involved in lifting oneself out of all this and pursuing one's dreams (of course, it tells a lot more, including the psychology of BASE jumping, but let me not give away more) -- these struggles strike a personal cord, for me, and I like how Mr. Dedijer has verbalized how he felt, and the fact that he has verbalized at all, for that made me realize that it's okay to want to talk. The things that I read in this book opened up new areas of reading, for me, into extreme sports psychology, and it has enabled me to describe the joys of engineering. I must say, as a poor, hungry graduate student I always keep a copy of this book in my backpack, especially since it has uplifted my spirits during some of my worst personal times.
The first time that I read this book it was just a good story -- a good yarn. The second time, it was right after my first (and so far, only) tandem skydive, and that is when I realized things that I had read but not truly understood till then. After a bit of reflection on my own thoughts and experiences that led to, transpired during, and came after my skydive I read the book again, and I appreciated it still more, enjoying the honesty and the humor and the harsh realities. I am glad I had this book of personal transformation when I was going through my own transformation as I discovered the joys that I derived from extreme sports. So far I have lost count of how many times I have read the book, but if I ever get a BASE number I would like to read this book again, not only to see if Mr. Dedijer had written more of his feelings that I had missed, but also to read it from a fellow practitioner's perspective.
"Fun story that will engage you"
Written By: IntelligenceIsParamount
I don't often review books, but I'm compelled to review this one. This is a fun, exciting and interesting story. It is also a translation from the original Swedish by Ingrid Lang. Something is always lost in translation, but the quality of the writing in English stirs me to wonder at the nature of the translator's aims: was she aiming for linguistic accuracy or feel? If she was aiming for linguistic accuracy, well I can't comment because I don't know Swedish and haven't read the original. In terms of feel, I would honestly have to say that this isn't the most well-written book. That's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. It's a great story that's worth reading and includes some wonderful photos, but don't expect a high literary quality.
"Thank you Jevto"
Written By: G. Reuter
Really Jevto. Thank you for sharing the amazing story of the beginning of this incredible sport. Beeing myself skydiver, I had shivers reading it. A lot of feelings of my first jumps and fears came back. It's exactly what I try do describe to my Whuffo friends what this sport is about. Friendship, Brotherhood, Passion, Thrill, Adrenaline, Concentration, Precision. I cannot do more than recommend this book to everybody who wanna know more about the roots of BASE or Skydiving. Thank you very much again.
Blue skies to all divers
P.
"Must Read 4 All BASE Jumpers"
Written By: Thomas Lundergan
Jevto did a great job of sharing his excitement and fear at exploring a new and extreme sport. Many years later, after I had made my first BASE jump, I found his feelings similiar to my own experiences --- although the countries and objects were different.
I also really enjoyed the inclusion of the impact of his participation in this sport on his family. So much so that I loaned my copy to my mom so she might better understand why I want to make more BASE jumps.
The book is well written, moves quickly, has some great vintage BASE photos and would make a great addition to any jumper's library.
Take It Light, ~Tom
"What a great book"
Written By: Robert Collins (Psycho Bob)
After reading this book, I have a greater appreciation for the pioneers of BASE jumping and the courage, fear and mental challenges they faced by being the first. This book captures the determination, frustration and excitement they experienced while blazing a trail in a completely new and thrilling sport. This is a "must read" for anyone that is intersted in participating in the wonderful sport of BASE.
"Fun story that will engage you"
