Book Description

"It's wonderful how ice can be so warm..." Bobby Orr, from the foreword

This is a book about family, caring, the values we cling to, the people we love. In this collection of essays, writer Jack Falla's backyard hockey rink unexpectedly becomes a vital bridge to family and friends, a lens through which he looks at this life in a game he loves, a road leading back to the frozen ponds of a New England childhood and a mirror in which he stares down middle age. Or tries to.

Home Ice goes beyond being a sports book. It is a book for readers as interested in family, friends, and relationships as they are in last night's hockey scores. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Heart Warming thought
I have to say in my 28 years of being alive I can count on one hand the amount of books I have read on my own. But I recieved this book from my wife for christmas this year. I guess she had hopes on me reading more. Well she was right. I picked up the book thrusday morning about 11:00 am and finished it that afternoon. I really enjoyed reading this book. It actually took me back to when I was really young and skated on a small lake my grandparents lived on in Kinston Ontario. I feel almost compelled to build my own rink in my back yard this winter. I won't but it would be great to do it.
Thanks

Pure delight
I have been enchanted by this book. A newcomer to hockey, as both fan and player, I have been soaking up information and lore eagerly. This book satisfies both the urge to learn about hockey, and my wish to experience more of the true joy of the game. Taken out of the huge arenas with the expensive nachos and plentiful beer, there is a game that generations have loved to play and perfect. There are kids playing here, and adults, men and women. There are friends who help shovel the backyard rink, and those who show up later. And there are stories of other backyard rinks, of ponds, and of pros. If you like hockey, I don't see how you could go wrong with this book.

Home Ice truly takes us home.
Home Ice is one of those books you want to read in one sitting without putting it down. Even if you have never skated on natural ice, or never skated at all for that matter, you will relate to this book. In building his own backyard rink several years ago, Falla discovered a venue which brings family and friends together time and time again. Just as a campfire in the woods draws people to it, the rink has drawn family and friends to his home. It is a place where differences are forgotten, where strangers become companions, where a rhythm of living takes over, and where a natural order pervails. Falla has been able to capture the anticipation of looking forward to that first ice, that first time of the season when you lace up the blades, step onto the ice, and find that you have come home. This book should be on everyone's shelf. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent sports biography of hockey's Cammi Granto
Cammi Granato and Women's Hockey might not be as important in the minds of sports fans as some women who play soccer, basketball and tennis, but up here in the Northland (home of the only team ever to win the NCAA Frozen Four of Womens Hockey) we are talking about something that is more akin to a religion than a sport. More importantly, Thom Loverro has written one of the best juvenile biographies of a sports star I have read in some time. Starting with the 3-1 over Canada that earned the United States the first Olympic gold medal in Women's hockey, Loverro tells the story of how the only girl playing a "boys-only" game in Downer's Grove, Illinois grew up to be a captain for the U.S. Olympic Team. The idea that Granato was a "Hockey Pioneer" is not far-fetched. Although she did not play in high school, because, of course, her high school did not have a girl's team, Granato earned a hockey scholarship at Providence. After graduation she played for four more years in Canada while going to graduate school at Concordia. While her older brother Tony became a right win for the San Jose Sharks of the NHL, Cammi became the best-known player in women's hockey. Loverro's quick paced biography covers all of Granato's accomplishments on the ice with plenty of statics and some nice quotes from the star herself. The book has lots of color photographs of Granato and a page of career highlights for those who love to consume statistics. This is an excellent sports biography for young readers, who will wish that similar books about other sports stars were half this good. ... Read more

Book Description

The Patrick family is the greatest dynasty in Canada's national game, innovators who introduced the blue line, player numbers and the modern playoff system.

The dynasty began in British Columbia where Joe Patrick made a fortune in lumber, gambling it all by starting up a spunky west coast professional hockey league with his sons Lester and Frank--in 1911! After selling the league to the NHL in 1926, Lester went on to become the first coach of the New York Rangers. His sons, Lynn and Muzz, were New York stars before becoming coaches themselves. In 1980, the Patrick dynasty continued as ex-NHL player Craig (son of Lynn) was appointed Rangers coach.

Tracing the development of an influential hockey dynasty in great detail, The Patricks: Hockey's Royal Family offers a lively, colourful account of the game's exciting history.
... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

WONDERFUL BOOK...I MISS GEORGE
As a big hockey fan, and a goaltender, this was just required reading. Yet, it turned out to be more. This well written, quick read was a gas to enjoy and quote. I will be glad to read others by George Plimpton, and I'm already on the hunt for PAPER LION.
I guess thats my ringing endorcement. If I'm looking to read a book on football, the author must be wonderful. Quick, funny, well written, and vastly enjoyable, you wont regret buying this book, no matter what the price.

A real treat - thanks George!
This book was a real joy to read. It was a pleasure to take in George's unique observations as he bravely went where no non-athlete has been before, between the pipes to guard the goal of the famed Boston Bruins.

What makes this book so special is George's lack of prejudice and his ability to tell a story complete with the smells, sights, thoughts, feelings and emotions of being completely overwhelmed by a situation that he has absolutely no control over.

His story-telling is succinct and yet descriptive enough so that the reader feels like s/he is in the room with George, as he talks with players, coaches, hockey wives, fans, etc.

Throughout the book, it amused me to picture George holding a conversation these hockey players - his Ivy-league mesmerisms and accent remarkable proof that he is a stranger in this crowd.

It is impressive that Plimpton is not judgmental in his analysis of this much maligned sport. He has a splendid time in his experiences, and I had an equally splendid time reading his book. Don't worry that this book was published in the 80s, as this is a timeless storytelling achievement.

Open Net by George Plimpton
This has to be George Plimpton's best book. I've read this book and could not put it down. If you are a hockey fan, or a George Plimpton fan I highly recommend this book.

This book was great!
This book was great! I picked it up about two years ago, and have read it three times since then!

Humanizes the often brutal-looking world of pro hockey
If you're already a hockey fan, especially one who followed the sport in the'70s (and the Bruins in particular), you should enjoy this truly inside look into the pro hockey world. Plimpton, who also did a stint as QB with the Detroit Lions in the 60's, dons a goalie mask and reports on the wild and wacky life of hockey. If you don't know hockey, this'll be a real eye-opener! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

This is more than hockey, it is a great book of life.
I had a chance to review the galleys before it went to press, it is a wonderful book that shows how values, character and sportsmanship can take you to the highest levels of life. It is a preparation for success in life. A father son team, where the player Dan Bylsma is a great young player, but when he hits college and pros, he has to be a smarter, harder working player.

Bylsma is a true role model, especially in today's world.

Jay Greenberg of the NY Post writes, "THE BEST ADVICE SINCE DON'T RILE GORDIE HOWE!"

For all sports, for kids and parents alike. Inspiration, motivational, I couldn't put it down

This book makes a father think.
It's not easy raising a successful athlete, and it is even more difficult raising a successful adult. Your Son Wants to Be in the NHL shows us a young adult who seems to have become both. It tells the tale of how Dan Bylsma grew from childhood success to success in the NHL. More importantly, it shows us how a boy can grow into manhood and become a person you would like to have as a neighbor.

OK, the first few chapters, when the never ending succuesses of the Bylsma boys in athletics became almost as difficult to read as the phone book are a bit numbing after a while. Once parental pride calmed down the book turned into a compelling look at how difficult it is for a parent to find balance in their children's lives, to teach life lessons as well as sports techniques and to turn out a good person who also happens to be an NHL player.

The struggles Dan had after leaving home at such a young age are dealt with forthrightly, which multiplies the shock you feel at stories of sexual abuse and the physical sacrifice players at the lower minor level make to reach the NHL. That shock is no stronger than when the reader learns that Dan and his wife lost their first child just as he was establishing himself in the NHL.

This book gives the parent of an athlete much to think about. In a society where it seems more and more boys go through life without their fathers this book shows you that those boys lose something that may be irreplaceable.

These guys walk the talk!
Since reading "So your son..." nearly two years ago, through various routes, my son and I have become good friends with both Dan and Jay Bylsma and the rest of the Bylsma family. I can honestly say that these guys really do "walk the talk" by putting into practice what the book says. It's a great read if you're a hockey fan but its not just about how one of kid made it to becomming a professional sportsman - their emphasis on a moral compass, sound family values and good educaton really can be used as a practical guide to parenting. Kids don't come with an instruction manual and most of us parents need all the help we can get! I would suggest to anyone wanting a "how do you do it" guide to practical, commonsense, no nonesense child rearing "GET THIS BOOK!" and read it. Great stuff!

former college hockey player and father says first rate
I highly recommend this book to any father, coach or athlete of any age. I think if I had read it in high school, it may have changed my outlook on sports and life. The book takes you from a player and his father's beginnings in sport, through other people's (parent's) interferences to show how following one's goals can lead to success.

Too self serving!
I thought this book was very self serving. I almost didn't finish reading it until I got to the chapter where Dan's son decided to go to Canada. I think it's great that his family was blessed with all the talent but I felt like he was stuffing down my throat. Having a son that has the dream of being in the NHL, it was worth finishing the book to finally get to know what it really takes to get there. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

the best biography I ever read!!!!!
it is the best I ever read it is so so cool I never knew that much info on him it was a realy cool book and I think it is the best one I ever read I mean like you might know when he was born or what hand he catchs with but no this book tells it all and that is why I gave it a 5 star rating because it was the best biography I ever read!! ... Read more

Book Description

The inspiring story of an ordinary man who, from humble beginnings and against the odds of a devastating illness, has led—is leading—an extraordinary life.

To many people, Walter Gretzky is the ultimate dad, the father of the Great One, Wayne Gretzky, and the first inspired coach to a talented young boy. Walter’s major insight into hockey—that a player should “go where the puck is going”—guided Wayne’s brilliant style, and Wayne himself has said about his talent: “It’s God-given. It’s Wally-given.” It’s safe to say that no other famous hockey player’s father is held in such high esteem, and that Walter Gretzky has carved out this singular niche in his own right.

Now, for the first time, Walter tells at length the story of his life, about growing up on a small family farm, about meeting and marrying Phyllis, about raising four boys and a girl in a modest home in Brantford on the salary of a telephone repairman, about hanging onto his modesty and values when the comet of talent and celebrity hit.

Walter also talks about the process of recovering from a stroke that came close to killing him ten years ago. Through his own grit and determination, and with the help of dedicated therapists and doctors, his family and friends, Walter battled back from an aneurysm that left him with many cognitive difficulties and destroyed a decade of memories—including his recollection of the death of his mother and almost all of Wayne’s NHL triumphs of the eighties.

As many of the people who have encountered Walter even briefly will testify, he is very charismatic, and it’s his extraordinary compassion, which has flourished since his stroke, that makes him so compelling. Yes, he struggles with some limitations, but he has also discovered a calling in helping others. All of his many public speaking engagements are for charity, and this book would not exist were it not for Walter’s role as the official spokesperson for Canada’s Heart and Stroke Foundation. The only way he would ever agree to talk about himself at such length was in the hope that his experience with stroke would be useful to other people. “Every second of every day is important to me,” he writes, “and I only hope that if telling my story can help even one person, then all of this will be worth it. And remember, there is life after stroke…look at me!” ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Clear the Track: The Eddie Shack Story
It brought back great memories of a great friend.I read the book in one day---couldn't put it down.If you have ever followed a sports icon, you will appreciate the candor and style of this book.I was fortunate to haveknown Eddie during his Pittsburgh days and this book documents the man andhis mission well----to bring the fan into the game.

A great read. ... Read more

Book Description

When people wonder who the quintessential hockey coach is, only one name comes to mind-Scotty Bowman.As tough and unyielding as the sport itself and as aggressive and strategic as a general at war, Scotty Bowman typifies the no-nonsense attitude necessary for success in today's NHL.In a career rife with controversy, Bowman is often feared but always respected by the legions of players who have toiled under his reign.

Scotty Bowman: A Life in Hockey traces the career of one of hockey's most intriguing characters.Every aspect of Bowman's rollercoaster career is highlighted, from his early playing career through his record-breaking Stanley Cup victories.Following his thrilling time with the Montreal Canadiens, the difficult years with the Buffalo Sabres, and up to the Red Wings' historic first Stanley Cup success since 1955, Douglas Hunter (author of A Breed Apart) chronicles the joyous victories and the disappointing upsets. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Do NOT purchase this book
This book was horrible. I can't believe I actually made it through the 100 pages. The author talks WAY too much about the history of the league and some of the teams and not nearly enough about Scotty. In short, it was a terrible waste of time and money.

Just Stop Reading
This is one of the worst books I have ever read in my entire life. On top of the author being extremely boring, he can't even get his facts right. There were numerous errors in the book. The most blatant being the author stating that Mike Vernon won the 1989 Conn Smythe award when in fact is was Al MacInnis. Another error I found was in starting goaltending. The book says that Garth Snow started game one of the 1997 Stanley Cup finals, when in fact it was Ron Hextall. If I picked out these simple errors in the book, how can I believe any of the other information in it? The author and publisher should be ashamed of themselves for letting hockey fans read such a book. The author is a disgrace to hockey. Don't waste your time reading this book.

Reader Beware
Those intrigued with the Bowman legend-mystique will not find the answer to the perennial question "What makes Scotty Bowman tick?" here. This is not a biography and Hunter does not set out to entertain. Next to no attention is paid to Bowman's childhood, youth, or even to what drew him to the game in the first place. Rather this book is a straightforward, if somewhat dry, portrait of post-expansion hockey and Bowman's role in it. Its chief strength is its history of the architecture of the franchises in which Bowman has spent his career. Any gleaning the reader may be pick up as to the creation of Bowman's character or the methods of his success are, at best, inferred (although Hunter does put forth a convincing case to dispel the myth that Jean-Guy Talbot ended Bowman's playing career). Plenty of quotes from Bowman's associates are included, both pro and con (Bowman himself declined to be interviewed for this work). Yet for a volume that appears to be well documented, steeped in statistics and numbers, I found at least five immediate errors, not the least of which are the year of Bowman's birth, and the 1989 Conn Smythe Trophy winner (it was Al MacInnis -- a fact easily verified in the NHL record book -- not Mike Vernon, as Hunter surprisingly states.) If I found these errors, how many others will other readers find, and how reliable is the rest of the information? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent book for the goaltending enthusiast!'
Those of us who play goal know what unique characters we are. This book highlights all the greats from the early days of the sport up to now. Pictures galore. Spreads of early equipment. Full head shots of masks, old and new. Profiles of many of the greats to ever play the position. The innovators and the champions. A well rounded history of the insanely brave men who guard the cages. I reccomend it to all into the sport or the position.

Great book for anyone interested in goaltending
This is a fabulous and very detailed book about the history of goaltending. The book spans from the very first goaltenders all the way to today's goalies. The book has many great pictures along with stories and interesting facts. The book got me interested right away. It shows pictures all the way from before the 1900's and up to today. Famous goalies such as, Jaques Plante, Terry Sawchuck, and many others. I highly recoment this book for just about anyone. This would be a fabulous book for any goaltender currently playing on a team. The book is so well done and easy to read and follow it really brings you into the time of the earlier goaltenders. Just overall...a great book ... Read more

Book Description

Hockey has been a part of Mario Lemieux's life since his childhood. At the age of six he was holding his own against boys four years older; by the time he was sixteen, he had captured the attention of the National Hockey League, and soon after signed on with NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.At the 2002 Olympic Winter Games he captained the Canadian hockey team, leading them in their gold medal winning performance. ... Read more

Book Description

"The Flower," as Guy Lafleur was affectionately known to fans, registered six consecutive 50-goal seasons in the 1970s,and played on five Stanley Cup winners. But Lafleur was more than an athlete. His charisma and quirky individualism gave "No. 10" a cachet that extended far beyond the Forum's corridors. He was a daring style icon whose exploits were as chronicled as those of any pop celebrity. Beautifully designed and packed with vintage photos and classic sports journalism, this is a treasure of hockey nostalgia. ... Read more

Book Description

This richly illustrated, thoroughly researched and completely unauthorized biography takes readers behind the legend of the great Gordie Howe. Signed by the Detroit Red Wings at 16, Gordie became a six-time leading scorer, a six-time Hart Trophy winner as the most valuable player, and he surpassed Rocket Richard’s NHL goals record to reach an amazing total of 801 — unmatched for years until Gretzky finally caught up to his mentor and idol. Gordie also includes a new introduction in this recreation of the glory of hockey's golden age. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe: A hockey legend tells about his whole life. From when he was little kid, to when he made it in the NHL. It tells about how he first came upon hockey as a little kid. It tells about his carrer and the NHL. I thought that this book was ok. Not horrible but not excellent. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about gordie howe, or wants to read about him.

A Great Book on Gordie Howe!
This book tells about Gordie Howe, one of the best hockey players ever, and his career in the NHL.In the beginning, it tells about his first couple of seasons, and then tells more about his great career and facts about him toward the end. I learned a lot about him from this book, for example, I learned that he has played for two teams, the Hartford Whalers and the Detroit Red Wings, and that he was considered one of the greatest players of his time.

An enthralling look at professional hockey's past, and stars
As a lifetime fan of the Detroit Red Wings, I was overjoyed when I found that there is a recent biography of Howe that is much more up to date than many written in the 60's and 70's. This book gives the reader an inside look at what it was like to get into the NHL in the 50's, and what it took to stay there and become a star. Mackskimming is very candid when talking about the front office's team management "politics" The reader also gets an up-close look at other great stars of the era such as Red Kelly, Ted Linsay, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, and coach Jack Adams. A must read for any TRUE hockey fan.

Starts out great, but ends up only a good book on Howe.
The book starts out covering Howe in excellent detail. Several pages cover his first seasons. Then as if the author lost interest, the decades go flying by. My reasons for reading the book was to find out, why Howe was considered great, how Howe compared to Richard, how the game changed over the years and what it was about Howe that enabled him to play for so long. The book only addressed how Howe established his early greatness. ... Read more

Book Description

He clashed with Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, Bob Clarke, and Denis Savard. But he has won championships on two of hockey's greatest stages: the Stanley Cup and the Canada Cup.

Mike Keenan's legend as a coach, and general manager is unrivaled in hockey history. Love him or hate him, everywhere he has gone he has made a lasting impact at every level of the game, and on every team he has coached or managed - sometimes positively, often negatively.

From Keenan's earliest coaching days in junior hockey to his disastrous time with the Vancouver Canucks to his recent attempts to return to the NHL, Keenan takes an honest inside look at the most controversial coach in hockey history. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An amazing must read for any hockey fan
Although this book starts off a little slow it is still a must read. After the first chapter and a half of background information you will not be able to put it down. Great stories and interesting facts. This book talks about all his encounters with players, writers and GM's. All the dirt you wish you could know is in this book. I would say it is a must read.

Time to Revisit Keenan
I became interested in rereading this book after Mike Keenan's recent appointment to the ailing Florida Panthers. His story reads like a greek tragedy in that his fanatical drive continually prevented him from seeing and learning from his mistakes. Players and management either loved him for his discipline, or hated him for his sadism, unpredictability, and indecorous behavior with the press. Jeff Gordon does a wonderful job of detailing Keenan's strides and missteps without skewering him with a pitchfork. This book is also well-written and as fair of an account of Mike Keenan as a readers are likely to find. I highly recommend it.

Sweet
A definite Hat Trick!! Gordo knows what he's talking about.

Excellent
Really enjoyed this book. Could not put it down once I started reading it. Found it to be very fair overall. Not a slam against Keenan at all. You learn a lot about Keenan as well as life in the NHL. Get this book!

Embracing Change and Paradigm Shifts...
If I were Gordon's editor, I would give new meaning to the phrase "healthy scratch". ... Read more