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Veteran reporter Andrew H. Malcolm profiles the dualisticnature of hockey--its beauty and brutality--as embodied by the NHL'ssmallest player, blank-toothed Theoren Fleury. Fury is athorough, moving account of the Calgary Flames's lovable and feistyall-star that puts the reader on the ice and in the locker room of asport that usually chews up players of Fleury's size. The former NewYork Times Canadian bureau chief knows his setting intimately--whether it's the roar of the crowd during a professional game or thedeep silence of an abandoned ice rink somewhere out on the Ottawaplains. And with a mixture of curiosity and empathy, he investigatesthe driving force that allows a 5-foot, 6-inch, 160-pound man to competein a rink full of larger, hard-charging adversaries. Besideschronicling a season with little Fleury and the Flames, however,Malcolm also portrays the enduring culture and tradition that is NorthAmerican hockey. The result is a thoughtful understanding of--andappreciation for--the scrappy Theo Fleury and the deeply woven Canadianhockey obsession. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Fury: Fleury and the Calgary Flames
Parts of this biography focus on Theo's childhood development and his opening years with the Calgary Flames. I say 'parts' because it also spends a great deal of time discussing how various parts of the Flames organzation runs, with chapters devoted to the people behind the scenes. While the book doesn't concentrate completely on Fleury, I still felt it was informative in bringing me the whole picture regarding the things that affect his daily life (travel, practices, autograph hounds, injuries, and such). In a few years, I'd like to see this author revisit Fleury and write about his days with the Avalanche, the Rangers, and the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Disappointed
The Theo-specific info in this book would make a very nice in-depth magazine article.The book is poorly written, very disjointed.The author introduces a Theo story, and in the next paragraph is telling the history of the food services manager.In one place, I counted 6 pages that included only 1 paragraph of 2 lines about Theo.Theo has an incredible spirit.His story is one of triumph over truly overwhelming odds.He deserved a better effort for what is titled as HIS biography. If you want to know about the GM, coaches (at all levels), security guards, bus drivers, entertainment managers, food service, mascots and ticket sales this is the book for you. If you want to really get to know an NHL player, read Brett Hull: His Own Story.

You'll love Theo, after you read this book!(if you're human)
I bought this for my husband, for Christmas. I read it out of curiosity. Theo's story will not just warm your heart. It will make you love him, and respect him. So many who have his difficult background use it as an excuse to walk around with a chip on their shoulder. Theo doesn't, he only has a chip on his shoulder on the ice, where it belongs. The author included a lot of other stuff, that sometimes made the book a difficult read, but I'd just turn the pages until he picked up Theo's story again. I liked him to begin with, now I root hard for him, this little dynamo paid his dues, and earned his success. If you only read one book this year, you have to read this one.

A Gretzky pal
I bought FURY a while ago and hadn't gotten around to reading it. But then I saw Wayne Gretzky at his retirement news conference say how he would have liked to play with Theoren Fleury. I got out the book and spent all nightreading it. It was one fun book about sports, about an interesting guy andwhat it is really like inside a real pro sports team. Now that Fleury isplaying for an American team it's easier to follow his play--another 40goal season. Thanks to whoever wrote this book for an interesting read. Ilearned so much. And it was fun doing it.

More than just a one-person story
Thank goodness, finally a book about a real person and what it's really like inside pro sports. Theo is a fascinating success story. And this writer has a keen eye for the human details that illuminate Theo's life anddrive. But I was most appreciative that this very readable book also tookme inside the world of pro sports to find out lots of interesting thingseven about each game, which is really a show involving many more peoplethan just the players. Like those TV shows or movies that include some ofthe outtakes during the credits. I had a real feeling I was right therewith the author and now I understand more when I watch TV. The book movesalmost as fast as the game. Now that Theo is playing for an American teamhis story is even more relevant. More sports books like this one about realpeople please. ... Read more

Book Description

For the 25 years prior to expansion in 1967, big-league pro hockey consisted of only six teams and about 120 players. A document called the "C-Form," signed by young, often poor, Canadian boys, could bind a player to one franchise for life, thus insuring a team's future. Intense rivalries brewed, as the game, the rink it was played on, and the equipment players wore evolved. Offenses increased as the curved stick and the booming "slap shot" became all the rage. Hockey's Glory Days relives these exciting decades, when the Montreal Canadiens made 10 consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup finals, winning the last five, and when the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs dominated the '60s. The book features more than 126 player and team photos, plus individual and team statistics for every season from 1949-50 to 1968-69. Hockey's best forwards, goaltenders, and defensemen are profiled. The authors - experts in their field - include photographs and statistics of greats the likes of Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Maurice "Rocket" Richard, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, and Jacques Plante. Hockey's Glory Days even includes the "best" and "worst" statistics and trivia from this era. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Mario Lemieux Over time
This Book is a must Have for any Die-HARD or just a fan of ''Le Magnifique''or ''The Magnificent''. It mainly about his life from Pee-wee hockey to the comeback, Its covred. They have on most pages the games from mario's first back to the Final game of the 2000-20001 regular season. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Thin Ice is a must read !
It's absolutely asinine that this book was not among "The Top 100 Sports Books Of All Time" compiled by the staff of Sports Illustrated Magazine. It is a must read, you do not need to be a hockey or sports fan to enjoy this read, it is the "Ball Four" of hockey books. Don't miss it, if you can find it !

"Ratso" and the Manhatten Rangers !
Although I'm not a NY Ranger's fan by any stretch of the imagination, this book is a long forgotten classic and a must read for every hockey fan. "Ratso", (Larry Sloman) did a great job in profiling the NY Ranger players on and off the ice and he is able to insinuate, instances of sexcapades and drug use among the players and still protect their privacy, he takes us behind the scenes of the Manhatten party life with celebrities, models and hockey players. I was able to find this book in an old inner city library sometime in the late 70's, early 80's. The chance of you finding it now are slim and nil, but if you do get a hold of it, I'm sure you'll be glad you did.

Hmm ... Interesting
As JHRay has already mentioned ... it's funny how rbettendorf could review this book and find such information as: personal bios of Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Mike Richter as well as the rangers winning the Stanley Cup in 1994.

This book was published in 1981. Mess was in Edmonton and Richter and Leetch were still in high school my friend.

Prior review of a different book
On the off chance that anyone else is searching for this book, the other review posted is not a review of Sloman's book. As you can see, this book was published in 1982, years before the cup win in '94...

Sloman's book is about the late 70's and early 80's. He is friends with several Rangers, and writes about his experiences with them.

For a SERIOUS hockey fan, a great book. For a casual fan, probably a pass.

BTW, Sloman has been on Howard Sterns show many times.

Very thorough behind-the-scene glimpse the team's management
If you are a fan of hockey, THIN ICE is a very interesting book that goes behind-the-scenes into the everyday management of the New York Rangers. Detailed in this book are the ascent to power of some of the key ownership and management figures, personal bios of some of the more prominent players (such as Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Mike Richter), and how players were drafted, acquired, or signed. If you happen to be a New York Rangers fan, this book is a blessing and curse in one, because not only do you get a season-in-review of their greatest accomplishmet -- winning the Stanley Cup in 1994 -- but you also get the inside scoop on bad deals, trades that might have been, and every front office blunder before and after the cup victory. This text is not a good source of general Ranger history, but it is a good capsule of the early 1990s, a time when the Rangers were thought to be at the top of their game. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lindros Soars
I needed to do a report on a famous person that I looked up to.My favorite hockey player of all time is Eric Lindros.So I went to mylibrary to see if they had any information on him.To my surprise they hadjust got this book in.When I started to read I was very interested inseeing all the stuff that Eric had to go through to get to where he istoday.The book showed me why I liked him so much. It wasn't just hisspeed, hardwork, and determination that I liked anymore it was also to seehim on a personal level not just in the game of hockey. ... Read more

Book Description

To mark the fiftieth anniversary of The Hockey News, a committee of fifty of the most respected observers of the game – including Dick Irvin, Bob McKenzie, Harry Neale, Jim Matheson, Scotty Bowman, Al Arbour, Glen Sather, and Roger Nielson – selected the top 50 NHL players of all time.

The identity of the player who received the most votes was no surprise: Wayne Gretzky. The names of the next four might also have been predicted, although the order in which they were ranked – Bobby Orr, followed by Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux and Maurice Richard – has caused heated argument. Without question, however, the names that make up the rest of the list, and the order in which they are ranked, could keep all true hockey fans engaged in debate for years.

When the original list was published in The Hockey News, it inspired every possible reaction, from enthusiastic approval to indignant rage. Each great player has his own fans eager to make the case for higher placement. Now, in this splendid full-colour collector’s book, the list has been expanded to include the top 100 NHL players of all time and the debate can be renewed again with vigour.
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Reviews (3)

Accurate and Interesting
What makes this book so credible is that the most respected names in the world of hockey analysis compiled a list of the men that were the best of the best during their time.Due to the date of publication, some of the rankings would no longer be considered legit, but while reading about a certain player, the information and stories provided allows you to forget about rankings and simply relive the magic that the players brought to the game.
The Top 5 Players creates the biggest discussion.The debate will forever go on as to who the greatest player ever was.The debate usually revolves around Howe, Orr and Gretzky. There is a second arguement between who was better, Gretzky and Mario.Wayne Gretzky left no questions unanswered while Orr and Mario left us wondering what could have been.Gordie Howe will forever have a place in our heart as Mr.Hockey and was the perfect choice for Third overall.Rocket Richard was a nice way to round out the top 5.This piece of literature has inspired endless debates in the hockey world and anything that generates interest in hockey gets a seal of approval from me.I suggest reading this book or at least reading about some of the players you are more familiar with because I guarantee you will gain a new appreciation to what they brought to the game.

Top 100?
How can this book claim to be about the top players of all time when Steve Yzerman is conspicuously absent from the top 50. How many of these players have clocked up his kind of numbers ( for example: 155 points in a season ) and still continue to be a prodigious presence on the ice? Top 100? Don't make me laugh. This book lost all credibility the moment I read the contents page.

Nice play
This is a fine, nicely produced, digest-like introduction to pro hockey's most legendary players, the men who made the game in the 20th century.Filled with large, professional photos, brief statistical packages, andwell-written summaries of each player's career, it would make a nice giftfor the casual fan, as well as serve as the starting point of"discussions" among seasoned fans who are likely to disagree withthe Hockey News' choices and rankings. / Since this is a virtualreproduction of the "Top 50 NHL Players of All-Time" magazinethat was published by THN in Jan. 1998 -- the only additions being 14 pagescovering players ranked 51-100 (with tidbit sized entries), another 10pages covering "future prospects" and some more color photos --fans who bought the magazine and feel compelled to buy this volume may tryto look at the money spent on the book as less of a rip than the moneyspent on the magazine. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the story of the chase for an elusive dream, the Stanley Cup.Pierre Turgeon has always been an achiever, a winner, first as the star pitcher on a little league baseball team from Rouyn-Noranda, Canada that went to the semi-finals of the Little League World Series to being picked first overall in the NHL Entry Draft.What more could a French Canadian hockey player desire than being the captain of the Montreal Canadiens, playing the last game in the famed Montreal Forum and opening a new facility, the Molson Center?Pierre Turgeon will tell you that although that was the event he will never forget, the Stanley Cup is his goal.Three of Pierre's childhood friends have Stanley Cup rings.But, this is also the story of a young man that has had to struggle to make his presence known in a game full of vocal stars.Pierre is a quiet, unassuming guy, who works hard, makes plays and puts the puck in the net.Pierre, a French speaking Canadian, has struggled ! all of his professional career with the difficulties of dealing with the media and coaches in a second language.This problem has contributed to the lack of publicity that his hockey achievements deserve. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An Excellent Book for All Hockey Fans
I would reccommend this book to any hockey fan. I think that Pierre Turgeon is one of the most underrated players in the NHL. Every year he is among the scoring leaders in the league. The media always make negative comments about him saying that he is a soft player, he has no heart or intensity and chokes in the playoffs. This book helps to contradict those ideas by showing that he is a determined and competitive player focused on winning, even if he is not the most phsyical player in the game. This is a story about a player who has faced criticism throughout his career, much of it undeserved, and has went on to have a successful career. ... Read more

Book Description

For more than one hundred and fifty years, people around the world have been gravitating to frozen ponds and ice rinks to play the fast-paced sport of hockey. Originally played with tree branches and pieces of cork, hockey has evolved into an exciting international phenomenon.

Filled with action-packed, full-color photographs and insights from players, coaches, and sports analysts, Inside Hockey is an informative and entertaining volume on this fast-paced sport. Starting with a review of hockey’s rich history, and proceeding through an in-depth analysis of the game and its players, this exciting volume is sure to thrill sports fans of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent book for avid hockey fans
An excellent overview of the history and rules of the game of hockey. This walks through the creation of the game as well as biographies of the greatest players of all time. Even though the target of this book may be for the true fan, those who are merely interested in the game will find enjoyment as well. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

He is "The Best" there ever was on the ice!!!
This was a fantastic book compiling the story of the greatest player ever and his comeback from Hodgkins Disease and major back surgery. If you enjoy reading stories of courage this is the one for you!

A great book on the best Hockey player ever
This book is a very good summary of Mario career, including highlights and memorable events in his life. ... Read more

Book Description

This book looks into the lives of 26 former elite hockey players.They talk about their playing careers, their transitions form the hockey world to the "real world", and their post-playing careers.This book is about people for whom hockey is the common denominator.Their successes and failures are discussed in very honest and candid personal interviews. Interviews include: Mark Heaslip, Mike Eruzione, Tommy Williams, Ulf Nelsson, Jean Pronovost, Henri Richard, Mike Milbury, Dave Maloney, Glenn Hall, Gerry Hall, John Mayasich, Jerry Kruk, Joe Cavanaugh, Brad Hornung, Ron Ellis, Les Costrello, and others. ... Read more

Book Description

When Tim Horton died tragically in a car accident in 1974 at age 44, he left behind a legacy of love, respect, and goodwill from everyone who knew him. In Loving Memory traces the life and career of the legendary NHL defenseman, from his humble beginnings in small-town northern Ontario, to junior stardom at St. Mike's in Toronto, a Calder Cup championship with the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets, four Stanley Cups with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and a distinguished late career with the expansion Buffalo Sabres. This book features dozens of vintage photos of Tim-on the ice, in the locker room, and at home with his family-as well as rare memorabilia, letters, and documents, many of which have been preserved by Tim's wife, Lori. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A loving memory I'd like to forget
I thought that this book was a disgrace to Tim Horton, his chain of coffee shops, AND to the sport of hockey. I forced myself to turn each page, hoping against hope that this book would get better, but it never did. I lost three hours of my life and precious memory cells. don't make the same mistake I did. ... Read more

Book Description

Our in-depth biography details Mario Lemieux's incredible story-his first tentative steps on the ice as a two-year-old, his rise as hockey's most ballyhooed prospect, his glory years with the Pittsburgh Penguins, his successful fight against Hodgkin's disease, his early retirement and purchase of the Pittsburgh franchise, and finally, his triumphant return to the ice in December 2000. Also included are an eight-page, full-color photo insert, Mario trivia, and Mario's full career statistics. ... Read more