Can anyone recommend some good hockey-related books ?

[missdpuck]

I'm looking for some good hockey books either non-fiction or fiction with hockey as a theme. I'd like to find short stories, too. I've read The Game by Ken Dryden ,that was pretty cool. Also mention ones you DON'T like. Has anyone read Hockey and High Heels? I had seen it advertised in The Hockey News some time ago.

[RougeUnderoos]

http://www.amazon.com/Gordie-Hockey-...7987352&sr=8-2

It's been a long time, but this is a Gordie Howe biography that I read years ago and thought it was pretty good.

http://www.amazon.ca/Rebel-League-Un.../dp/077108949X

A book about the WHA -- great book. Lots of crazy stories.

http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Lightn...7987620&sr=1-1

Phil Esposito autobiography that was pretty entertaining.

http://www.amazon.ca/Gross-Misconduc...7987675&sr=1-1

The story of Brian "Spinner" Spencer, a rather crazy cat who played for the Leafs. It's a wild story.

[Vulcan]

At the time I enjoyed this book

http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Hockey-S.../dp/0770420818

[coaster]

I can't help you with books to get but whatever you do, do not waste your time on Rob Simpson's book "Between the Lines"
A story about Ray Scampinello's four decades reffing in the NHL.
Too bad, it could have been good, but it was like it had been written by a 10 year old.

[zarrell]

Just finished reading King of Russia. It's about Dave King's time spent coaching in the RSL. Very eye opening to say the least.

[Ro]

I've read these two and I recommend them both:

http://www.amazon.ca/McCowns-Law-Gre...7990335&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.ca/King-Russia-Rus...7990335&sr=1-5

This one looks interesting:

http://www.amazon.ca/Future-Greats-H...90523&sr=1-152

[habernac]

Originally Posted by coaster

I can't help you with books to get but whatever you do, do not waste your time on Rob Simpson's book "Between the Lines"
A story about Ray Scampinello's four decades reffing in the NHL.
Too bad, it could have been good, but it was like it had been written by a 10 year old.

agreed, that one sucked. Searching For Bobby Orr was disappointing. I think it's a good idea to actually get the subject of your book to talk to you if you want it to be a decent read.

I'm a Habs fan and loved all of Dick Irvin's stuff. I can second that Thunder and Lightning, the Phil Esposito story is good, too. Douglas Hunter has written a bunch of good ones. Open Ice, The Tim Horton Story is fantastic, Yzerman and Scotty Bowman are good. Glenn Hall, they call me Mr Goalie is great. Shutout, The Legend of Terry Sawchuk is a recommendation.

That should get you started.

[Ford Prefect]

Midnight Hockey by Bill Gaston is a pretty good read. Bill Gaston played junior hockey, and some international hockey in France and Italy. It's basically about his experiences in Canadian men's beer league hockey though, with some of his junior and Euro experiences included. It's a pretty humourous and entertaining book that does a good job of relating the shenanigan's that go on in beer league hockey. Kind of a slice of Canadiana. He's a university prof and has published a few of books, so it's pretty well written.

I also enjoyed The Power Of Two: Carl Brewer's Battle with Hockey's Power Brokers. It's about Brewer's long battle to bring Alan Eagleson to justice. It has some interesting insights into the business side of hockey during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

[missdpuck]

As annoying as the Habs fans can be (the Panthers usually lose) I like when you guys come down here. The deafening roar starts in the parking lot before the game and doesn't let up... I can still hear the little kid who sat behind me last time chanting "Canadiens! Canadiens! Canadiens!" till I thought I would go mad...

[troutman]

Tropic of Hockey - Bidini

http://www.amazon.com/Tropic-Hockey-.../dp/1585744646

[habernac]

Any Dave Bidini book is good.

I like the Gaston book as well. Heck, I have a bookshelf full of good hockey books.

[missdpuck]

Yeah I was wondering about Gaston's book....

[habernac]

Originally Posted by missdpuck

As annoying as the Habs fans can be (the Panthers usually lose) I like when you guys come down here. The deafening roar starts in the parking lot before the game and doesn't let up... I can still hear the little kid who sat behind me last time chanting "Canadiens! Canadiens! Canadiens!" till I thought I would go mad...

Florida is the only team in the league with a winning record against the Habs all time, you sure about the usually lose thing? Florida has been Death Valley for the Habs in all the years they've had to play there.

[pope04]

Dave Schultz' The Hammer, Confessions of a Hockey Enforcer.

Johnny Bucyk's Hockey in my blood.

Vern Buffey's Black and White and Never Right.

Harry Sinden's Hockey Showdown.

Whoever mentioned Gross Misconduct is bang on........great book, and CBC(?) did a fair to middlin' job of the tv version.

I've yet to be disappointed by any book that chronicles the late, great WHA.

There's a great book that came out just after the '72 Summit Series - a pictorial, really - 28 Days in September. The author's name escapes me.

I read Overtime: The Legend of Guy Lafleur cover-to-cover in a couple of days when it came out in the late eighties or early nineties. Come to think of it, I'm due for a re-read.

Over the Boards: The Ron Ellis Story is a nice read with some good insight into the Leafs' heyday.

[missdpuck]

Originally Posted by habernac

Florida is the only team in the league with a winning record against the Habs all time, you sure about the usually lose thing? Florida has been Death Valley for the Habs in all the years they've had to play there.

I only started going last season and had never paid any attention before that. We lost both games I attended but I think I remember hearing what you just said. See that's why I need the books I don't have a clue!!!

[habernac]

Originally Posted by pope04

Dave Schultz' The Hammer, Confessions of a Hockey Enforcer.

Johnny Bucyk's Hockey in my blood.

Vern Buffey's Black and White and Never Right.

Harry Sinden's Hockey Showdown.

Whoever mentioned Gross Misconduct is bang on........great book, and CBC(?) did a fair to middlin' job of the tv version.

I've yet to be disappointed by any book that chronicles the late, great WHA.

There's a great book that came out just after the '72 Summit Series - a pictorial, really - 28 Days in September. The author's name escapes me.

I read Overtime: The Legend of Guy Lafleur cover-to-cover in a couple of days when it came out in the late eighties or early nineties. Come to think of it, I'm due for a re-read.

Over the Boards: The Ron Ellis Story is a nice read with some good insight into the Leafs' heyday.

probably my favourite book. Honest, interesting, controversial. He's a flawed human being who played some amazing hockey.

[Buff]

Phil Esposito's book, Thunder an Lightning was pretty good.

I also read Messier by Jeff Z. Klein. It wasn't too bad.

I can't believe that either nobody mentioned it or I didn't notice it, but Lanny's autobiography was a good book.

I even enjoyed Wayne Gretzky's autobiography. I don't think he had left the Kings yet. I wonder if he would do a part 2 to his autobiography, like Mick Foley did and Chris Jericho is doing.

When I was a young'un I loved Scrubs on Skates, Boy on Defence, and A Boy At The Leaf's Camp. I even read them a couple of years ago. They were still good, for nostalgic purposes but a very quick and easy read as they are for young readers.

[missdpuck]

A "flawed human being" who plays mediocre hockey inspired me to write what I hope will become a book!

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by missdpuck

A "flawed human being" who plays mediocre hockey inspired me to write what I hope will become a book!

Craig MacTavish? Or was it Kevin Lowe.

[kipperiggy]

There's always Roch Carrier's short story "The Hockey Sweater". I never knew that it was quoted on the five dollar bill until I did a school project a couple of years ago.