Book Description

Elmore Leonard meets Franz Kafka in the wild, improbably true story of the legendary outlaw of Budapest.

Attila Ambrus was a gentleman thief, a sort of Cary Grant--if only Grant came from Transylvania, was a terrible professional hockey goalkeeper, and preferred women in leopard-skin hot pants. During the 1990s, while playing for the biggest hockey team in Budapest, Ambrus took up bank robbery to make ends meet. Arrayed against him was perhaps the most incompetent team of crime investigators the Eastern Bloc had ever seen: a robbery chief who had learned how to be a detective by watching dubbed Columbo episodes; a forensics man who wore top hat and tails on the job; and a driver so inept he was known only by a Hungarian word that translates to Mound of Ass-Head.

BALLAD OF THE WHISKEY ROBBER is the completely bizarre and hysterical story of the crime spree that made a nobody into a somebody, and told a forlorn nation that sometimes the brightest stars come from the blackest holes. Like The Professor and the Madman and The Orchid Thief, Julian Rubinstein's bizarre crime story is so odd and so wicked that it is completely irresistible. ... Read more

Book Description

The Game is acknowledged as the best hockey book ever written, and as one of the best sports books of all time. More than just a hockey book, it has become an enduring classic—a reflective and provocative look at a life in hockey and at the game itself.

Ken Dryden, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, is recognized as one of the greatest goalies ever to play the game. More than that, he is one of hockey’s most intelligent and insightful commentators. In The Game, Dryden captures the essence of the sport and what it means to all hockey fans.

He gives us vivid and affectionate portraits of the characters—Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard, and coach Scotty Bowman among them—that made the Canadiens of the 1970s one of the greatest hockey teams in history. But beyond that, Dryden reflects on life on the road, in the spotlight, and on the ice, offering up a rare inside look at the game of hockey, and a profoundly personal memoir.

This commemorative edition marks the 20th anniversary of The Game’s original publication, and features a new chapter from Ken Dryden, reflecting on the past two decades in hockey.

Take a journey back to the heart and soul of the game with this timeless hockey classic.

THE GAME

20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

"The sports book of the year, or maybe the decade, or maybe the century."

— The Globe and Mail

"A work of art that defines and represents our game."

—Hockey News

"[Dryden] has written a very special book, possibly the best [hockey book] I have ever read. His affectionate yet realistic portrait of the players is unrivalled in hockey writing."

—Mordecai Richler

"A book about Ken Dryden, about Quebec, about the rest of Canada, and most of all, a loving book about a special sport."

—New York Times

"An enduring classic, Ken Dryden's The Game has lost none of its luster since its original publication in 1983, and remains the one book every hockey fan must know...This backstage look at one of the best books ever published on any sport."

—David Gowdey

"A [hockey] book so rare that there is actually nothing to compare it to."

—Scott Young

Sports Illustrated:

One of "The Top 100 Best Sports Books of All Time" (number nine).

· Top hockey book.

· Top Canadian sports book.

· Top book written solely by an athlete.

University of Toronto Review:

One of "The Top 100 English-Canadian Books of the 20^th Century." ... Read more

Reviews (8)

More than just hockey
I read this book expecting to read the standard sports book, what I found was a book that was not only about hockey but about life. Even those who are not hardcore hockey fans can appreciate many of the messages and opinions on life.
From the beginning to the end I was caught in the words, it made me think and feel. Reading The Game somehow enriched my life, and I recommend it to all. Ken Dryden was not your average hockey player, he was an intelligent man who will always be known as the man who wrote the greatest book about the game of hockey.

Somewhat dissapointing
Ken Dryden is one impressive individual. There is no doubting that. I was amazed at the quality of the writing in this book. It is literature. I have read quite a few biographies of sports legends, some have been good and some not so good. I was really looking forward to reading this book especially since all of the reviews were so positive. I welcomed the idea of a well written book by an intelligent athlete. But, I regretfully have to say that this book is less intersting than I had hoped. Dryden provides you with a perspective of hockey life that I seriously doubt that you will get from any other human being on the planet. He made me realize how little time I spend analyzing my own life, at least what I believe to be the less important aspects of it. I found myself amazed at how keenly observant he is about the little stuff. But, as much as I appreciate his intellect, I have to say that this book contains a little too much introspection and not enough details about hockey and the players in it to satisfy me. I am glad that I read it and I would recommend it to fans, but I kept waiting for a little something more and it never quite came. This man has some important things to say though about life in general and for that reason alone the book is worth reading.

Read this for lessons on life
Went to Barnes & Noble and read the new chapter in the 20th Anniversary edition of The Game. Ken Dryden is an outstanding writer. People might assume that since he is writing about hockey that's all that there is to this book. Lies! It is about so much more. His take on life is very refreshing. This is one of the few books that I really enjoyed reading recently.

A must for any tru hockey fan
Ken Dryden, one of the NHL's best goalies, writes about his last year with the 1970's Canadiens, one of the greatest teams in NHL history. He provides more than a day by day account of playing but talks about other aspects of the game. From traveling to playing in his hometown to life as a celebrity and a Canadian, Dryden shows why he should be the Commissioenr of the NHL. If you have ever spent a summer in a rink, driven to a 6AM practice or know the words to "Oh, Canada." then "The Game " is for you.

unafraid to tell the truth
Ken Dryden has dared to tell us a warts and all account of a career in the NHL. As a hall of fame Goalie he was well postioned to observe the play of his team mates on the ice. Granted special status as the team's goalie he was then well place to observe the team off the ice too. He has written an honest account of the impact of long seasons of play both on himself and his team mates. Most revealing are his observations on specific players including Guy LaFleur, Bobby Orr and Larry Robinson. I wonder if his friendships with these men survived these opinions? Thoroughly recommended for all sports fans even non hockey fans. ... Read more

Book Description

What does it take to make it in pro hockey? Los Angeles Kings forward Dan Bylsma and his father, Jay, offer a wealth of inside information for young players. Dan Bylsma shares his experiences rising up through the ranks of amateur and professional hockey while giving advice on issues including becoming a team player, knowing the rules, relating to coaches and teammates, and working hard. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Read
I actually bought this book from the Dan Bylsma WEB site. THe book was sent autographed to my son for this past Christmas. Most of the content is directed toward kids interested in playing hockey and who have questions from how do I do a certain drill to what if my parents are embarrasing me. My 8 year old enjoyed the book very much and continues to read it again and again. I still pick it up as well. If you haven't read the first book "So Your Son Want's to Play in the NHL", another great read.

Hockey With A Purpose
After receiving the book, I read it throughout the day as opportunity presented itself. I hated to put it down when I had other stuff to do. I felt like I was being forced to leave the game before it was over. I was enchanted by the book as if I'd never read it before, thrilled to play a role by helping with it and to be mentioned in this wonderful contribution to amateur hockey. As I read it, I thought about my roles as a father of a young player, as a coach, and as a coaching educator for USA Hockey. Two overwhelming thoughts came to mind as I read the printed version of the book. The truth conveyed by the material and the fact that at times I fall short of the goals conveyed by that truth from a child's perspective. Even though I speak or write about and teach many of these things quite often, I found myself addressing my mistakes in each of my roles as I read the book. But, even as I found myself addressing my mistakes, I was simultaneously using the ideas in the book to reaffirm many of my beliefs or to assimilate these ideas to address issues from a different perspective. And as stated in the book, perseverance is a key to success. Taking responsibility is a key to success. Learning from mistakes or failure is what truly makes you better. "So You Want To Play In The NHL" has given me additional impetus in my goal to constantly strive to improve as a father, a coach and a coaching educator. Thank you for taking the time to inspire even us older hockey guys with a book written for kids, because really, we are all still kids at heart! By addressing the issues from a kid's perspective for kids, I believe you have succeeded in reaching adults as well. The heart of this old kid is much better as a result of the time and effort you have taken to share your thoughts with the hockey world. This new book, "So You Want To Play In The NHL", for kids, and the existing book for adults, "So Your Son Wants To Play In The NHL", set the standards by which all of us in the sporting world should continually strive to achieve. Cordially, Terry Vayda USA Hockey Associate Coach-In-Chief (Southeast District--Florida)

required reading
As a coach and someone who knows the personal dedication it takes to achieve life's goals, this book confirms everything I have done in my life and teach to the players on my team. This book is more than a book about hockey. It spells out a recipe for success in life, in and out of hockey(or any team sport for that matter). Every page has something that will inspire you and remind you what is important in life. I am making this book required reading for my team because it confirms everything I have ever said in the locker room and to parents. While this is one man's journey through life to the NHL, the story is one shared by most people in the struggle to define who they are as the grow up and to achieve the goals that they want.

Dan Bylsma's latest literary achievement is a winner
As the father of a 9-year-old, I am delighted that my son has selected Dan Bylsma as one of his role models. Dan (Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League), and his dad's most recent collaborative literary achievement, "So You Want to Play in the NHL" is an honest and straight-forward discussion about Dan's uncompromised determination to become a professional hockey player, is set against a backdrop of objectivity and seemingly insurmountable odds. The book embodies a wonderful and powerful message, that hardword and determination are the cornerstones of personal, as well as professional success. I highly recommend this book to all aspiring young athletes, their coaches, and parents.

Dan Bylsma's latest book is a winner
As the father of a 9 year old son, I am proud that my child has selected Dan Bylsma as one of his role models. Dan and his father's latest collaborative literary achivement is an honest and straightforward study of the role of athletics in a young persons life. The fire and passion of competitive sports at the highest level, measured against a backdrop of incalculable odds of achieving professional success is difficult, if not seemingly impossible to reconcile. Nonetheless, Bylsma's book "So you want to play in the NHL" deserves commendation for having done just that. I strongly recommend this book to any parent or child who participates in sports and who is fortunate to have the courage to dream. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

BOOK DESCRIPTION FROM THE AUTHOR, ROSS BERNSTEIN
I had actually been working with Herb Brooks for nearly a year at the time of his untimely death this past Fall on writing a series of motivational/self-help books. You see, Herbie had recently turned down an offer to come back to the Big Apple and coach the New York Rangers again, opting instead to spend more time with his family and doing more motivational speaking - which is what the books were for. So, when I head the horrible news that August 11th, I decided right then and there to turn our project into a memorial. The result is the new book, "Remembering Herbie," a tribute to my friend and mentor.

Several months and nearly 100 interviews later, the book was finished, complete with both warm and fuzzy memories as well as hilarious and riveting stories from Herbie's closest friends, family members, former teammates and former players. The biography chronicles not only the accomplishments and achievements of a man who touched literally millions of lives throughout the sports world, but also a heartfelt story of an amazing person - as told through the eyes of those who knew him best.

People from all spectrums of Herbie's life were interviewed for the book, including former teammates of his from St. Paul Johnson High School, the University of Minnesota and from various U.S. Olympic & National Teams. I also spoke to former players of his from the Gophers, the 1980 & 2002 Olympic Teams, New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins. While some people opened up and poured out their emotions on what Herbie meant to them, others shared heartwarming or hilarious stories. Some laughed, some cried, but they all remembered Herbie.

I found that as I wrote the book and talked to more and more people, a picture emerged of who Herb Brooks really was. The common denominators were fascinating: the way he motivated people, his relentless determination, his honesty, his passion, his integrity, the "Brooksisms" he was so famous for saying, the way he championed the underdog, the way he was always looking to make hockey better, the way he could never make up his mind, and the way he loved his family - it's all in there.

You see, Herb Brooks never forgot where he came from - always remaining loyal to his colorful working-class neighborhood roots on St. Paul's East Side. There, he was like royalty, but if you asked him, he would say that he was just another "Joe Six Pack" from Payne Avenue. That was Herbie, modest as ever. Herbie was the ultimate team player and lived by the adage that the name on the front of the sweater was always more important than the name on the back. Looking back at the now famous last second call from the 1980 Olympic 'Miracle on Ice,' which will forever be linked to his legacy, "Do you believe in miracles?... Yes!" - one can only assume that Herb probably didn't. That's right. Sure, he was a dreamer, but there were no short-cuts or divine interventions for this guy, it was all about hard work, commitment and passion. And luckily for us his obsession was hockey, and through that medium he changed the face of American history.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the newly created "Herb Brooks Foundation," which will benefit amateur hockey throughout the United States.

(To learn more about this book please visit my web-site: www.bernsteinbooks.com. Thanks! - Ross Bernstein, Author ... Read more

Book Description

Known for decades throughout North America as "Mr. Hockey," GordieHowe played 32 full seasons in the NHL (and WHA). During that time, he (and theRed Wings) won four Stanley Cups and nine Prince of Wales Trophies (most pointsin the regular season). He won the Hart Trophy (League MVP) six times, the ArtRoss Trophy (most individual points) six times, and appeared in 20 All-Stargames. His career statistics (including the WHA) are (with the singularexception of Wayne Gretzky), unparalleled in the history of the sport.

Howe's numbers for total games played (2,421) and total penalty minutes (2,419)are extraordinary. He was among the strongest, toughest and most talentedplayers on the ice. In his late forties he was still feared and revered by menhalf his age.

Lavishly illustrated with images from the Harold Barkley Archives plus dozens ofpieces (photos and memorabilia) from the Howe family's own extensive collection,"Gordie" is a fitting tribute to "Mr. Hockey." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Mr. Hockey, plain and simple...
I read this book back in November of 1999. The co-author Frank Condron did an excellent job with Gordie Howe in putting this historical book together. On top of the simple fact that a picture is worth 1,000 words. The whole book is a Hockey Pictoral Treasure. Mr. Condron did an excellent job of writing this book. What I mean by that is. Simply because you don't feel your reading Gordies words. Its like Mr. Howe is right next to you and he is pointing at each picture as you turn every page. Also it is quite obvious after all the press, awards and fame, Gordie Howe is still a gentleman.

TRUE HOCKEY MEMORBILIA!
This work represents the finest photo collection of GORDIE HOWE'S career to date. If YOU are old enough to remember the epic battles between the Montreal Canadians and the Detroit Red Wings of the 1950's-60's, YOU can relive these times in photo concepts - eg. Howe's 545 goal in the Montreal Forum eclipsing Rocket Richards's record and the 15 minute standing ovation by Montreal fans; Howe's commentary on the Montreal dynasty once Jacque Plante and Jean Bellevue arrived on the hockey scene; the skilled fis-ti-cuffs of Gordie Howe against bad boy, Lou Fontinato of the New York Rangers; and Howe's best picks of NHL players he most admired! ... BUY TWO AND MAKE A FRIEND! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Top Shelf (4 1/2 stars)
David Dupuis does an admirable job in marshalling the facts in this eminently readable biography of one of hockey's most difficult subjects, the incredible Terry Sawchuk. Illuminated with generous contributions from Sawchuk's family and colleagues, it captures both the highs and the lows and should set the record straight regarding the life, death and career of perhaps the greatest goalie who ever lived. Even though we know how the story ends, the book builds up momentum to become a page-turner, and one almost wishes there were more pages. Its only small shortcoming is a somewhat static style that abruptly jumps back and forth between sporting and domestic scenes. Dupuis makes an earnest effort to understand the roots of the inner rages that drove Sawchuk to excel on the ice and to self-destruct off it. One is left wondering if the lives of Terry and his family might've been any more stable had he been born a couple of generations later; in that sense, his story becomes something of a cautionary tale as well. This compelling biography and hockey history is worthy of addition not only to the shelves of Red Wings and Maple Leafs fans, but to that of anyone who wants a better understanding of Sawchuk's incomparable legacy to the game.

A GREAT ATHLETE WITH A DARK PAST
Before I read this book, all I ever knew about Terry Sawchuck was that he was the greatest goalie ever to play the game of hockey. After reading this book I found out how a great athlete of the past is so much like the athletes of today. Sawchuck was an alcoholic womanizer who physically and mentally abused his family. This book tells a compelling story about his personal life and the greatest moments from the games he played. This book is a must for any hockey fan.

Honest and Interesting Book, Good
I started reading this book because I had heard that Patrick Roy, who passed Terry Sawchuk's record of most winningest goalie, was reading it in order to find out more about the goalie he would be passing in the record books. What I found out as I continued reading was that even if you are just a fan of hockey in general, this is a great read. It is so honest that it is almost surprising that the Sawchuk family would want to release some of the information the reader finds out. It is even more interesting to read if you know someone who was an alcoholic, because Terry goes through many of the same troubles that other alcoholics do. The pictures included in the book are helpful and they give an idea of the people in Terry's life as well as the surroundings in his life. The writing style is easy to follow no matter how good of a reader you are, though sometimes the many statistics and names of other hockey players get confusing and boring. All in all, the Sawchuk book is fun to read and it really lets you in on Terry Sawchuks life on and off the ice.

A GREAT LOOK AT THE GOOD AND BAD
THE AUTHOR DOES A SPECTACULOR JOB SHOWING THE GREAT CAREER OF A HOCKEY LEGEND. FROM HIS CHILDHOOD TO HIS FINAL DAYS, TERRY SAWCHUK WAS A VERY COMPLEX MAN. GOOD VS. EVIL FIGHT ALWAYS GOING ON INSIDE HIM. THE DREADED DEMON ALCOHOLISM IS WELL DESCRIBED AS TO WHY HE HAD SUCH ANGER AND MOOD SWINGS. A GREAT CAREER AND TURBULENT FAMILY LIFE. EVERY ASPECT OF SAWCHUK'S LIFE IS SO WELL DESCRIBED BY MR. DUPUIS. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BIOGRAPHIES I HAVE READ. THANKS FOR A GREAT JOB MR. DUPUIS. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Good, Easy, and Interesting Reading.
I bought this book as a present for my husband, who is a die hard hockey fan. But, I ended up reading it myself and I really enjoyed it. I get to know more of Terry Sawchuck than just the old NHL goalie whose record was just got broken by Roy. It is not the best written book, but it tells the story that it is suppose to tell. It was an easy and enjoyable reading and I am not even a Red Wings fan. ... Read more

Book Description

These Hockey legends faced their toughest trials off the ice.

In When the Final Buzzer Sounds, a collection of poignant stories detailing the lives of hockey's greatest players, after the last goal has been tended and the final buzzer sounds. For most players in the NHL, hockey is the defining focus of their lives. Their days are determined by practices and games, teammates and coaches, fans and endless public appearances. Imagine how difficult it would be if all this were to stop with the sounding of the final buzzer. For the players in this book, it was-and the paths they took after hockey often led them far away from the roar of applause.

Out of the public eye and facing life off the ice, these champions of hockey share the sometimes bittersweet, sometimes unexpected, always insightful accounts of their journey out of the sports arena and into the larger world.After the Final Buzzer chronicles the lives of some of the NHL's most famous players after retirement and the turns their lives have taken, often just as wild and crazy as their time on the ice. Through in-depth one-on-one interviews this book profiles such heroes as: * PHIL ESPOSITO, who is giving back to the game that gave him so much * BOBBY HULL, a globe-trotting cattleman * GORDIE HOWE, still a legendary fan favorite, who signs as many as a thousand autographs a day * ERIC NESTERENKO, a self-confessed ski bum with the soul of a poet

After the Final Buzzer offers the vivid and captivating portraits of nine of hockey's greatest players, chronicling the struggles and triumphs that came after a life on the ice. ... Read more

Book Description

Joey loves walking to his hockey games with his dad. Often they talk about their favorite player, Boston Bruins defenseman Bobby Orr. One day, Joey has an accident on the ice and ends up in the hospital with a broken leg. During his stay, Joey thrills to the Bruins’ run for the playoffs and––miraculously––gets a visit from none other than Bobby Orr himself! Orr tells him about all the injuries he’s had, shares advice on the game of hockey, and even gives Joey one of his sticks. When Joey leaves the hospital he gets to watch his hero win the 1972 Stanley Cup at Boston Garden. Based on a true story from the life of hockey legend Bobby Orr, this book relays an important message about getting over hurdles and setbacks. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Within the 11 seconds that inspired this memoir, Travis Roy realized his dream, then smashed into his nightmare. On an October night in 1995, Roy, a talented young hockey player, skated onto the ice for his varsity debut with Boston University. Eleven fateful seconds later, he was paralyzed from the neck down. Aided by the sure touch of Sports Illustrated hockey writer E.M. Swift, Roy's moving account of his accident and his rehabilitation--confined to a wheelchair, he's gotten some use of his right arm back--avoids the maudlin.Instead, Eleven Seconds is filled with grit, hope, humor, and a thoughtful young man's introspection on the meaning of sports and the adjustments that follow when the ability to play them is taken away. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Life can change in seconds!
The Travis Roy biography, Eleven Seconds, is a great book for hockey lovers, players, fans, or anybody who likes to read about triumph in the face of tragedy. The book starts out just like a biography of a superstar, like Steve Yzerman or Gordie Howe's begin. Travis' dad runs a skating skills camp, so Travis is advanced compared to the other skaters his age. Through high school he is one of the best players on the team. He transfers to prep school with a great hockey team. He shows off his skills and earns a spot on the BU hockey team, but eleven seconds into his first shift of division one hockey he goes headfirst into the boards and becomes a quadriplegic. For the first few months he can't talk due to hoses and cords running in his mouth. All his dreams of playing hockey in the NHL are over. What will his life be like? Who will take care of him? How will he live from now on?

Heart breaking and heart warming
I will start off by saying this is not the most well written book. However, what it lacks in style, it more than makes up for with honesty and heart. This is a book that shows all of the anguish, and hope that has come from this story. After reading this, you will believe that Travis Roy is one of the strongest and most inspiring people you could ever know of.

The best part about this book is that Travis freely expressed himself. He was unafraid to show his dispair, his grief, his desire, and his heart. I feel that element makes this different from any other similar story out there.

There were parts where I laughed and parts where I cried. This book made a big impact on me because I was there when Travis has his accident and I saw how the school got together as a community to support him, something which was rare for such a large and varied institution of people.

I higly recommend this book to any sports fan, hockey fan, or anyone who just needs a little inspiration in their life.

amazing
A amazing book,that you dont even need to know alot about hockey to read.

A touching and insightful autobiography.
You don't have to be a fan of the game of hockey to appreciate the captivating and touching human drama that plays out in the pages of this book. While hockey certainly is a central character in the story, Travis Roy's narrative is less of a sports-oriented piece than it is a tribute to his family and friends, and to the depths of human kindness. Roy writes in an intelligent and conversational style that offers insight into the struggles he has had to face since his injury, and the thoughts and questions that have run through his mind. His story is genuinely moving through its striking honesty and maturity. I highly recommend this book.

I couldn't put it down...
This amazing young man leaves nothing out, the good the bad and the ugly. Truly a remarkable person and with the strength to share his life so that others can see a glimpse of a wonderful heart and true spirit . ... Read more

Book Description

Douglas Hunter's Yzerman is a revealing portrait of how an individual star becomes a champion by transforming his game, sacrificing personal accolades to acheive team-based success, and, in the process, improves the players around him. ... Read more

Book Description

One of this century's greatest athletes, Wayne Gretzky, The Great One, never failed to enthrall hockey fans with his incredible talent and skill.

It was with bittersweet sadness that the hockey world accepted the retirement of its most beloved player after the 1998-99 season.For the past twenty years, Wayne Gretzky above all has epitomized the toughness, power, and excitement of hockey. A class act, admired by teammates and foes alike, holder of numerous records, and always a consummate sportsman, Gretzky simply defines the game of hockey.

Including more than 120 extraordinary black and white and color photographs, The Great One celebrates Gretzky, from his early days as Brantford, Ontario's whiz kid, all the way to his Stanley Cup glories. The Great One includes a compilation of number ninety-nine's records of achievement and game-by-game statistics for his two decades of excellence.

Expertly written and researched by hockey historian Andrew Podnieks, the book also includes rare interviews, anecdotes, and little-known facts about Gretzky.

With Wayne Gretzky's retirement, hockey fans everyone mourned the passing of an era.But Gretzky's words and achievements live on in The Great One.There is no better way to remember the career of hockey's most superb and charismatic player.

ANDREW PODNIEKS is the author of many books on hockey, including The Blue and White Book, Portraits of the Game, and Shooting Stars.A hockey historian, photographer, and former creative writing teacher, Andrew lives in Toronto. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Great One: Life and Times of Wayne Gretzky
I bought this book for my 3rd grade son to write a paper with, and found myself completly engaged in it. For someone who didn't know much about "The Great One", I am now as big a fan as my son! Tells a lot about his younger years and doesn't just focus on the goals. AWESOME ... Read more

Book Description

Sports fans love to argue. About which strategy should be used. About whose team is better. About which coach is the best. But nothing revs the motor of a sports fan more than a debate about who are the greatest players of all time.

This book attempts to settle at least one of these debates: Who are the greatest hockey goalies of all time. And it does so with an all-star lineup of experts just as impressive as the 50 men selected as the best goalies of the 20th Century. Indeed, Gladiators may just end the debate once and for all.

Kevin Allen, the esteemed hockey writer for USA Today, and Bob Duff, respected columnist for the Hockey Weekly, team with Hall of Fame goalie and super scout Johnny Bower and dozens of NHL greats who played outside the net to provide a provocative—and sharply persuasive—list of the best goalies ever. Bower’s critical eye, he provides incisive evaluations of each goalie, and the commentary by such luminaries as Gordie Howe, Bill Gadsby, Dino Ciccarelli, Brett Hull, Marcel Proust, and others, who provide the equally compelling perspective of those who tried to score against them, give Gladiators an unprecedented credibility. Allen and Duff give it an unprecedented polish.

Not only do the authors list the 50 greatest, they rank them one through fifty. The well-rounded list includes such old-timers as Terry Sawchuk, Ken Dryden, and Georges Vezina and the stars of today, such as Patrick Roy, Dominik Hasek, and Curtis Joseph. Bracing descriptions of each goalie as a player and a person accompany Bower’s technical analysis and the insights of the scorers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

KICK SAVE AND A BEAUTY!
"WITHOUT FEAR" by Kevin Allen and Bob Duff is one of the best books ever published on the history of NHL goaltenders. This just published 280 page hard cover coffee table edition is a must for hockey fans of all ages, and especially all those junior goalies out there? The 50 greatest goalies in history are ranked and profiled in great detail. Hockey legend Johnny Bower gives his commentary on each selection as well. One can't argue with the selection of the 50 goalies, but you can have fun with friends, arguing if Patrick Roy[#1 ranked]is the greatest of them all? All the great names of the past and present are here to read about, like Terry Sawchuk, Glenn Hall, Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden, Eddie Giacomin, Tony Esposito, and Gump Worsley just to name a few from the old school. Modern players like Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, Dominik Hasek, Ed Belfour, Mike Vernon and Curtis Joseph are some of the newer entries. Some of the goalies profiled like Rogie Vachon, Lorne Chabot, Davey Kerr and Roger Crozier were never elected to the hall of fame, but are surely deserving of consideration? I consider this book to be a bible of goaltending history, and a must have book to make any hockey library complete. ... Read more

Book Description

The making of The Great One. An informative biography of the legend of Wayne Gretzky told by Mark Messier, Brett Hull, Walter Gretzky, Gordie Howe, and others. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

If you love Gretzky, you'll love this book/ fantastic photos
An easy to read and interesting account of Gretzky's career. He is truly a hero and this book really tries to capture his spirit. This book is appropriate for hockey lovers of all ages - I bought it for my 11 year old son and found myself enjoying it immensely. The photos are fantastic and there are many of them. This book is great for any hockey player or coach and ours is kept on our coffee table. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Mike Bossy Story
I read this book years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think that with time he has begun to fade into obscurity, but when I was growing up he was truly one of the great players--and as far as I'm concerned, always will be.

Great insight to a great player!
For someone who didn't speak much to the press, it was extremely interesting to get inside Mike Bossy. It was great to relive all his outstanding accomplishments. A must read for hockey fans.

the greatest sniper
Mike Bossy is perhaps the most unappreciated star in the history of New York area sports. Perhaps it is because he played on Long Island and not NYC, Bossy is forgotton. Meisel and Bossy do a fine job. I hope copies of this book are out there for those of you hockey fans who are looking for a fun book to read. The book also takes serious turns, as the other review here says. It was an accurate review.

Bossy's Book is a Bull's-Eye
In his autobiography, Boss - The Mike Bossy Story, which was published in late 1988, Mike Bossy takes readers through his life and NHL career. The book is logically organized, easy to read and full of insights. He discusses his pre-NHL playing days, his NHL career, his memorable years with the New York Islanders, and his career-ending injury.

Chapter 1 talks about the genesis of Bossy's career-ending back injury, which occurred during a 1987 practice session. He also offers ideas for improving hockey.

Chapters 2 and 3 talk about his childhood in Montreal and his teenage years. He mentions how he met his future wife.

Chapter 4 details life in junior hockey. The title of this chapter, Survival, summarizes what Bossy went through to get to the NHL.

Chapter 5 talks more about his junior career and about how the Islanders drafted Bossy. It is still hard to believe that Bossy, despite all the goals he scored in junior hockey, was only the 15th pick in the first round of the 1977 draft, and that two teams passed drafting Bossy twice. There is a humerous passage in this chapter about the negotiations with the New York Islanders over Bossy's first contract.

Chapter 6 briefly touched on Bossy's disasterous 1977 honeymoon in the Caribbean, before discussing Bossy's first year in the NHL. He scored 53 goals, setting a record for rookies (which would stand for 15 years), and easily won the 1978 Rookie of the Year award.

Chapter 7 is the funniest section of the book. Bossy details his great relationship with teammate Bryan Trottier and some of the more memorable laughs he and the team had during his playing days.

Chapter 8 details how the 1978-1979 Islanders suffered a crushing defeat in the third round of the playoffs at the hands of their arch-rival New York Rangers, even though the Islanders finished first overall during the regular season. Many Islanders in the early and mid-1980s would say that their demoralizing defeat in 1979 (when they were expected to win the Stanley Cup) would make them fear losing.

Chapter 9 talks about the 1979-80 season. For a change, the team did not do well in the regular season, finishing sixth overall. But the Islanders tuned themselves up late in the season (via a trade that brought Butch Goring) and stuck together in the playoffs (against three favored teams, Boston, Buffalo and Philadelphia). In the playoffs, the Islanders dominated overtime, winning six games and losing only one. Bossy describes the uninhibited joy and elation that came with the Islanders first Stanley Cup championship, won on May 24, 1980, on Bob Nystrom's overtime goal.

Chapter 10 discusses Bossy's personal goal of trying to score 50 goals during the team's first 50 games, a feat last accomplished in 1945. Bossy tied the record, in dramatic fashion, by scoring twice in the third period of the 50th game. Bossy would later state this was his greatest individual accomplishment. The Islanders culminated the season by winning their second straight Stanley Cup. Bossy also describes the sadness over his father's death.

Chapter 11 talks about the team's thorough domination of the NHL both during the regular season and the playoffs in 1981-82. Bossy culminated the playoffs by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs. Bossy descibes a goal scored while he was completely airborne in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Vancouver. Bossy had been bodychecked and, while falling to the ice with both feet off the ice, reached with his stick and shot the puck past a sprawling goaltender and a scrambling defenseman. Only one word describes this: incredible.

Chapter 12 discusses the 1983 and 1984 seasons. In 1983, the Islanders became only the second franchise to win four Stanley Cups in a row. Bossy details how, in the third round of the playoffs against Boston, he scored all four of his team's game-winning goals and nine goals overall. This was one amazing accomplishment. When the playoffs were over, Bossy finished with 17 goals during the playoffs, the third straight year he had scored 17 goals in the playoffs. It is needless to say just how huge a factor Bossy's goals were to the team's playoff successes year after year. The Islanders basked in the glory of their fourth straight championship during the summer of 1983. In 1984, the Islanders were aiming to tie Montreal's record of five straight Stanley Cups. Bossy details each round of these pressure-packed playoffs, when the hockey world focused on the Islanders. During the third round of the playoffs, dynasty faced off against dynasty: Montreal (the dynasty of the late 1950s) versus the Islanders (the dynasty of the early 1980s). The Islanders prevailed in six games, for their 19th consecutive playoff series victory, a record that still stands in 1999 and that no team has come close to matching. Unfortunately, an exhausted, battered and injured Islanders team was defeated by a younger, hungrier and healthier Edmonton Oilers team in the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals.

Chapter 13 details Bossy's participation in the 1984 Canada Cup. Although Team Canada won the tournament, Bossy had a lousy experience.

Chapter 14 discusses how Bossy suffered his crippling back injury and the frustrations he went through in 1986-87, his final NHL season. Bossy desperately wanted to score 50 goals again during the regular season, but his injured body prevented him from doing so. Bossy finished with 38 goals, the lowest output of his career. Nonetheless, Bossy still holds the NHL record for most consecutive 50-goal seasons (nine), a record which no player (including Wayner Gretzky and Mario Lemieux) has tied or broken and which should stand well into the 21st century.

Chapter 15, the final one, details how Bossy sat out the 1987-88 season to rehabiliate his injured back. He mentions numerous futile visits to doctors and specialists.

Overall, this book, Boss - The Mike Bossy Story, is excellent. Bossy's accomplishments: 573 regular season goals, 85 playoff goals, 1,126 points, four Stanley Cups, nine straight regular seasons of 50 or more goals, etc., are legendary. His book is able to present all these facts and other interesting matters to the reader in a refreshing way.

Thank you, Mike Bossy, for a wonderful career and book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"The Greatest One There Will Be"
The book Wayne Gretzky "The Great One" is about a boy that grows up in Canada. He played in the WHL for the Soo Sault Marie Grey Hounds. Then he got drafted by the Edmonton Oilers. After 4 straight seasons they won a Stanley Cup. Then he got traded to the Los Angeles Kings. When he was in Los Angeles they won 3 Stanley Cups. Then in a few years he got traded to the St. Loius Blues. He didn't like it in St. Loius, so for the first time in his career he was a free agent. Then the New York Rangers wanted him, so he went to New York. In 1998 he retired from New York. He is still living in New York. He has 3 children. I nomiate this book to who ever likes famous athletes. ... Read more

Book Description

A legend in the making, Patrick has won the Stanley Cup three times, has been the most valuable player in the play-offs twice and has won the Vezina Trophy as the National Hockey League's top goalie three times. For ages 8-12. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Goalie,great book.
Andrew Podnieks provides the reader with an insightful look at the top rated goalie in our present game of ice hockey. From seven years old, Patrick Roy has had a unflinching desire to be a great goaltender in the National Hockey League. This book reviews Roy's illustrious career beginning with Montreal Canadiens and provides the reader with his carrer highlites up to his present team,The Stanley Cup winners, the Colorado Avalanche. It's a must read for any hockey fan young or old. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

He's not Whine Bratzky for nothin'!
In an Sports Illustrated tribute issue on Gretzky, Rick Reilly claimed that getting him to talk about himself was like pulling teeth. Well, if that's the case, Gretzky must be wearing dentures!

He imagines the kids who played with and against him growing up hated him because of his God-given talent. He takes a perverse pride in impregnating his wife 4 months before their wedding. He resentfully informs us that if a family member or friend wants to go to a game, the player has to buy the ticket. He gratingly talks about himself in the third person. Yet, his egomania is almost understandable, though not inexcusable. In an amazingly frank 1990 interview with the L.A. Times, he revealed how Walter Gretzky got his jollies toying with his boy's psyche and pushing him unforgivingly to make it beyond the 3rd line of his pee-wee team (the apex of Gretzky pere's career).

He slams everyone from his houseboy (for not being a coffee expert even though he comes from Columbia) to a woman at a newsstand (for demanding he pay for an issue of Time he was on the cover of). But he saves most of his bile for Peter Pocklington. True, he would've become a mega-star anyway, but Pocklington came along at a time when the NHL wouldn't touch him due to his age; for that alone, Gretzky should be thankful. Promblem is, he doesn't know the meaning of the word...I don't know what bothers me more, how he paints himself as the hapless victim of The Trade (he wasn't) or the smirk on his face on the cover. If Gretzky proves anything, it's that he's petty, emotionally immature, at times, a real jerk, and even something of a bigot ...anything but the "class act" the media - and himself - believes he is.

Not the goody-two shoes I thought he was
Who knew that Wayne's so opinionated? In that respect, this book was a real surprise. I thought I was getting the usual sports bio, "We went into game 5 tired and spent, yada yada yada..." While Wayne does include things like that, he does provide insight on what it feels like to be a highly recognizable person. Most celebrities are too egotistical to admit to feelings of lonliness at the top, for instance. Wayne admits these feelings, yet also enjoys his moments. I also liked how he pulled no punches when it came to his feelings about Peter Pocklington. You'll want to get into a hot shower and scrub yourself red, after reading the chapters on The Trade. He also occasionally decries The Supreme Lord Sather. Nice to see someone in the game not worship at the altar once in a while, isn't it? Yet he's still the greatest ambassador hockey has had. This book is better than Kevin Lowe's gloss-job, I'll tell ya that.

it was an exelent book all of the quots were great
I loved the quotes. once I started to read it i could not stop. I could not belive I read a book that was that long. Wayne Gretzky is the greatest man who ever lived. It is amasing when you think about it how many peaople try to idolise him. go into a hockey rink and look to see how many people actally do idolise him. And it is all because his jursey was too big for him when he was playng with the 17 year olds. My favorite part was when walter Gretzky quotes "I did not build a rink to watch my son grow up to be a pro I did it so I could watch from the kitchen where it is worm"

This was a great book!!
I thought that this was a great book. It tells about his first ten years in the NHL and how he broke tons of records. If you are wanting to learn more about Wayne Gretzky I would recommend reading this book. I just picked up this book the other day when he retired just to see how great of a hockey player he was and forever will be. I especially enjoyed this book from a hockey players view since I have played hockey for nine years and enjoy this sport verry much. So if you want to read a great book by a great hockey player read this book.

Great Reading Material
I thought it was a great book. I read it when I was in middle school and as soon as I picked it up I couldn't put it down. It had a lot of information and it was really interesting to see just how good he really was when he was little. ... Read more

Book Description

Jesus saves – but Espo puts in the rebound in this raucous, ribald memoir

At a party marking the end of his third season with the Blackhawks, Phil Esposito told coach Billy Reay and GM Tommy Ivan that they had a great team, maybe even a dynasty, but that the two of them would screw it up.

It was a classic Espo moment (and may have had something to do with his being traded to the Bruins): the big centre from the Soo who became one of hockey’s all-time leading scorers, has never been reluctant to speak his mind. In this rollicking hockey memoir, he reveals what it was like to play with other Hall of Famers like Howe and Hull and Orr. He recalls his acrimonious encounters with Allan Eagleson, the incredible intensity of the 1972 Canada-Russia series, the fabulous ride with the great Bruins teams of the early 1970s, and the tough years that followed with the New York Rangers.

From being a player, Esposito went on to be a commentator, a coach, a general manager, and then founder and part-owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He saw it all: the booze, the drugs, the women, the wheeling and dealing, the good times and the camaraderie, the bad times and the back-stabbing. In telling what it was really like, Esposito takes readers into the boardrooms, back rooms – and even the bedrooms – of the men who make their lives in the NHL. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Easy Goal
I used a Mylec blade in the streets near my "poor-side-of-town" home, south of Boston. For you non-hockey players, no the blade is not a knife, but a Phil Esposito street-hockey stick that beautifully resisted the punishment that street hockey gives, something that an ice-hockey stick just couldn't do.

So naturally I needed to read "Thunder & Lightening." It's been picked on a bit in the reviews. The guy is no intellectual. So what? And he cuts down a few icons. Who in Boston wants to hear that Bobby Orr drilled as many women as pucks, or maybe made a few exploitive business deals? But what he says rings true. Maybe that is why the book has gotten more than its fair share of thumbs down. He lays everybody up for a hit, no matter how big they are.

Phil is a jerk. He doesn't know it so it makes the book that much more amusing. But no matter what you think of him, he has passion. At least fire burns in his blood and he lives life fully, which is more than you can say for most people.

It's a fast read and takes up so little time how can anybody be sorry they invested the energy? If you love hockey, played in the streets, the rink, or just watched Espo in the bars, the book is worth the read.

Entertaining, but not necessarily great
From Esposito you can always expect a good laugh and brutal honesty and this book provides all of this. Yet it isn't enough, I agree with others that there was not enough on the Summit Series, I also think some things could have been left out. I'd rather not have known some things, but I'm not surprised he included them either.
This book will never be classed among the best books, not even the best hockey books, but it still is entertaining for the hockey fan, or the Esposito fan. Worth reading unless you are looking to use an ounce of brain work.

It ain't Shakespeare - and it ain't supposed to be....
I get the impression that this is a transcript from Phil just sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a beer, talking about the good old days. The writing style is very conversational and reflective and his thoughts and emotions are quite real.

The content is exceptionally interesting and the book has a very good flow to it. It is easy to pick this book up and read half of it, before realizing you have done so.

Many of the stories are laugh-out-loud funny. The motley cast of characters is never-ending, from Eddie Shack to Wayne Cashman to Ron Duguay. Esposito had some great times on and off the ice and he delivers his experiences in a neat little package.

Disappointing...
I have not a positive impression about this book. I don't know Esposito's business inside NHL well enough, and can't judge it, but I do know very well all the USSR-Canada and USSR-NHL games with his participation. The way he describes 1972 superseries USSR-Canada, and especially his phrase that he does not know how Tretiak, the Russian goalie, got in the Hockey Hall of Fame, takes away the confidence from his book. He could tell this about somebody else, but not about Tretiak! I understand that probably the author is still jealous and feels bitterness of all the defeats he had from Soviet team. How come, they were supposed to give a good ice hockey lesson to Soviet team, and barely escaped at the end! And the author does not mention another significant defeat to the Soviet team with his participation (1975 superseries NY Rangers-CSKA). I don't tell the score, I suppose that the author knows it too. But I will mention something else. The author speaks about 1977 Ice Hockey World Championship in Vienna, Austria, and recalls the loss to Soviets 1:8. But it was the second game between these two teams, and for some reason he skips the first one, when the Soviets beat Canada 11:1! This was probably the worst ever defeat of professional Team Canada on ice. And Tretiak was in place. But with one thing I agree: it was pretty funny and unusial to watch the author and other Canada guys wearing helmets...

Sports athletes not very interesting people.
I read this book because I grew up on hockey and Phil Esposito was definitely foremost in his profession. He was top NHL scorer of all time, until Wayne Gretzky, unofficial captain of Team Canada in 1972, so I really put him up on a pedestal.

But reading his book, I was hoping to plenty of insight into the 1972 Russia series, instead I get a diatribe about how plastered he and others were on the plane ride home and how he told Alan Eagleson to f___ off. In fact, if I had the capability to download this book, the f word probably would have returned a few thousand hits.

Phil does give some insight into pro hockey culture and it isn't pretty. His New York Ranger teammates after morning practices had no idea what to do with themselves so the majority would park at the local bar until closing time or passing out, whichever came first. How interesting!

If you're really kean on reading, do what I did and borrow from local library. ... Read more