Review
WL Rating
My earliest memory of Mike Doyle was the Morey-Doyle foam surfboard. It was blue, spongey, and had all the structural integrity of a freshly shucked oyster. I was young and I didn’t know what “Doyle” was, and it was only after a bit of ad reading that I learned that “a Doyle” was actually a person. Since then, I only had a very superficial view of the surfer Mike Doyle. That’s why I was so happy to uncover Morning Glass, Mike Doyle’s autobiography. Like Noll or Lopez’s book, Morning Glass is chock full of colorful stories from Doyle’s exploits and maturation as a surfer during the 60’s and 70’s. What’s different, however, is Doyle’s candor regarding all his desires, successes, failures, and shortcomings. It’s obvious that the book was a cathartic endeavor, allowing Doyle to work through critical issues related to bullying, relationships, business success and failures, and ultimately his own self-awareness. Some parts of the book are hilarious while other parts are incredibly sad, like you’re accidentally stumbling into something too personal to watch. It’s during these more introverted and honest segments of the book that you become aware of the challenges faced by those who wanted to stay young and surf forever. While youth might be fleeting, Doyle’s stoke for the sport and lifestyle endure, making this book an enjoyable and excellent historical read. A WL Essential. (July 2010)
Morning Glass - Mike Doyle
