Editorial Review

From its earliest days on frozen ponds, hockey has been a sport of speed and elegance, but also one demanding courage and physical will. The Hockey Book goes deep into the heart of the game, celebrating with astounding photographs and insightful words the great players and the inspiring teams, as well as an ethos-robust and selfless-that defines the sport as much in its dynamic present as it did in hockey's hardscrabble (and helmetless) past.

... Read more

Reviews

This is a Must Book for Hockey Fans, October 6, 2010
Sports Illustrated has put together the definitive book about the sport of ice hockey, drawing on its article archives and its photo library. This is a marvelous book, with huge, gorgeous color photographs. If you are a hockey fan, this tome is a valuable edition to your library. It also makes a great gift.

The book is best when it draws on its vintage files of the hockey greats. The best of the book, in this fan's opinion, are the stories and photos that covered the golden age of the NHL, immediately after World War II, when the NHL consisted of only six teams.

The minuscule number of teams (Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Black Hawks and the New York Rangers) meant that only the cream of the crop in hockey made the big leagues. All the big boys are here: Maurice (the Rocket) Richard, Jean Beliveau, Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and the Esposito brothers; also the acrobatic goalies of that era, including Jacques Plante, Terry Sawchuk and Glen Hall.

Those were the days when the goalies didn't wear facemasks. The book includes a spectacular photo of Jacques Plant that appeared on the SI cover of Feb. 17, 1958 (unlike the cover photo in the magazine, the photo in the book is uncropped). The photo shows Plante peering out of his goal with his chin almost on the ice as he prepares for an assault by the New York Rangers. The tense-ness of the moment not only shows on Plante's face, but also on the faces of the fans in the stands behind the Montreal goal.

The book also includes the hilarious story written by George Plimpton when he played 15 minutes of an exhibition game in the Boston Bruins goal. Plimpton later published a book on that experience, but the original magazine article reprinted here will leave anyone squirming with laughter as the Big Bad Bruins set up the hapless writer - who played in the goal by while skating on his ankles.

One of the highlights is the famous photograph of Bobby Orr, stretched out horizontally three feet off the ice after scoring the wining goal in the 1970 championship game that gave the Bruins their first NHL Stanley Cup in 29 years (disclosure: the writer covered that game for UPI and interviewed Orr in the locker room after the game. Earlier this year, I ran into Orr and he signed a copy of the photo with the inscription, "Thanks for covering this game"). The account of how the photographer shot that amazing photo is also included.

Of course, the story of the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal won by the Americans is here, but for once the SI editors missed a chance to tell the complete story of American Olympic hockey: in the 50's, 60's 70's and 80's Olympic hockey was played by amateurs, no pros, and it was hockey at his finest. Dave Christian was on the 1980 team - and he was the son of Billy Christian and the nephew of Roger Christian who were two of the stars of the 1960 team that also won the gold medal in a fairy tale manner. And, of course, Herb Brooks the coach of the 1980 team was the last player cut from the 1960 team (further disclosure: the writer played on the 1965 U.S. National Team that included both Billy and Roger Christian, as well as Brooks).

There is also the touching story of Travis Roy, the young hockey star from Maine, who was permanently paralyzed in the opening seconds of his first game for Boston University in 1995.

If there is a weakness to the book it is the lack of documentation on the earliest days of hockey in Canada. Howie Morenz and the great goaltender Georges Vezina are mentioned, of course, but the focus of the SI book is on modern day hockey. This hockey fan wished there were more of those grainy photographs of the earliest players wearing their skimpy uniforms. There is too much lore from that era that is missing in this otherwise excellent book.

The book also seems a bit disjointed. When we do get photos from the earliest days, they are interspersed with photos of modern-day hockey. It can be confusing.

But overall, this is a fabulous book that documents the wonderful sport of ice hockey - the national sport of Canada, and a sport that has spread throughout the United States and Europe and more recently in Asia. If you love hockey, you're going to love this book.

Joyous trip down memory lane for this hockey fan, October 5, 2010
What a wonderful addition to SI's library. Great stuff, as usual, in this series. Most of the pictures have never been widely circulated before. A terrific gift for any serious hockey fan!

Highly recommended for any hockey fan.

Buy immediately!, November 17, 2010
I bought this book on the recommendation of a close friend, saying that it was an incredible read for any hockey fan - and he was spot on. I bought the huge, coffee table book and read the entire thing in less than 24 hours. With pictures from all eras of hockey (from the 1800s to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final) and old Sports Illustrated articles on subjects like Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky's last game, Gordie Howe, the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, you will literally feel yourself going through history as you make your way through the journey that is "The Hockey Book."

It's a great conversation piece, October 31, 2010
because people who know me or thought they did, do a double take of this book that's found a home on my coffee table.
"Hockey..?!"they say.
Yeah, hockey.
It opens up a new dialogue for my guest. Just flip through the pages and the history, record breakers,photos and personalities, giving the game another dimension for those who are often the ones at home,wondering what it's like to be in the stands, hearing the puck glide across the ice,feeling the cold atmosphere surround them or see the body slams in mid-air, leaving one speechless and in awe.
The photos, of course,are lovely with the stories universal, dialogue simple, keeping my interest,often reminding me why I want to read it. The chronological set-up provides a good reference without confusing or distracting me from my attention, with bits of trivia sprinkled throughout, placing a face on the game. S.I. knows how to have a sense of humor in good taste. Makes a great gift for those who love and appreciate the game.

P.S. Congradulations, Jordin Tootoo! You made S.I!

hockeynut, November 15, 2010
This book is a wonderful history of the sport with material on the game, the players, and beautiful, incredable photos. A must have for all who love the game.

Fantastic!, November 4, 2010
A great coffee table book for anyone who loves hockey and appreciates its rich history. Wonderful photographs and very well written articles that trace the game from its beginnings to the present day.

si hockey, October 25, 2010
I think this book is terrific. It is full of fabulous stories and pictures. This series is super.

Sports Illustrated The Hockey Book, October 22, 2010
This was a gift for my 13 years old cousin that plays hockey, he is very happy with this book, and it makes a great gift for those that like sports. ... Read more

Editorial Review

On June 9, 2010 the Chicago Blackhawks made history, capping an extraordinary season with the storied franchise's fourth Stanley Cup championship. Led by dynamic stars including captain Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, the resurgent Blackhawks made the 2009-10 season one for the ages, capturing the imagination, passion and excitement of the entire Windy City. Following Kane's overtime heroics to capture the title, more than 2 million fans lined the streets of Chicago to welcome home hockey's most coveted prize, celebrating the Blackhawks' realization of their "One Goal."

In One Goal Achieved: The Inside Story of the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions, the Blackhawks relive every stunning moment of this unforgettable year, from the NHL Premiere in Helsinki, Finland, to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, all the way through the dramatic game 6 overtime win in Philadelphia and beyond! One Goal Achieved takes you to the ice level for an entire legendary campaign, featuring never-before-seen photographs and stories.

With full color spreads showcasing the players front office personnel who returned championship hockey to Chicago, photos from crucial games, off-ice team-bonding activities and much more, One Goal Achieved is a must-have for any die-hard Blackhawks fan. ... Read more

Editorial Review

In a notorious career with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, Bob Probert racked up points, penalty minutes, and bar bills, establishing himself as one of the most feared enforcers in the history of the NHL. On the ice, he was a fan favorite. He backed up his teammates 100 percent, taking on the toughest guys of his era. Off the ice, Probert played hard as well. Over his pro career he went through rehab 10 times, was suspended twice, was jailed for carrying cocaine across the border, and survived a near fatal motorcycle crash. When he died unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 45 on July 5, 2010, he was hard at work on his memoir. Probert wanted to tell his story in his own words to set the record straight.



Tough Guy is a gripping journey through the life of Bob Probert, with jaw-dropping stories of his on-ice battles and his reckless encounters with drugs, alcohol, police, customs officials, courts, and the NHL, told in his own voice and with his rich sense of humor. ... Read more

Reviews

Thank you to the Probert's
There can be no doubting that Bob Probert was the toughest, greatest and most feared fighter to ever lace on a pair of skates. It's true, ask anyone who has ever played the game or any knowledgeable hockey historian. It all came down to his influence and aura. Who did every hockey player who ever dropped the gloves try to emulate? 9 times out of 10 they will say, Bob Probert. No other fighter had more of a charisma and intimidation factor to this level before or since than ol' 24. The dynamic of the game changed once he hit the ice because Probert could do so much more than just be the reigning NHL heavyweight Champion, he could play the game. The most interesting thing about Probert was that he didn't have to do a ton of steroids to become a good enforcer (see Tony Twist) and didn't practice and train to the level of most players. His best way to train was to booze, party and bar room brawl all night long and then go out on the ice the next day and let his natural ability lead him to greatness. Can you imagine how good he could have been if he had his life together??? He went to rehab for drug and alcohol abuse, survived car and motorcycle crashes and was fined and suspended countless of times and still the NHL would always take him back!! Why??? Because he was that good!! Now that's amazing if you really look at how he lived his life!! Surely, all this abuse broke his body down and lead to his eventual downfall (especially when he went to Chicago in the 1995-96 season after being suspended for a year) because although feared and still a great fighter, he was never the same as he was in Detroit. Reading this book will explain to you just what was going on in the world of Bob Probert and at times it may be funny but it is also a testimony of self-destruction in a violent sport. Unfortunately, everything all caught up with him as he passed away at only 45 years old in 2010 due to heart failure in a most tragic fashion. What was also sad was that Bob (although suffering from a broken body) was in the best place he could be in with his family, whom he loved so much. A sad ending to an incredible life and icon of the Hockey world. God Speed Bob, may you rest in peace. ... Read more

Editorial Review

“Zero regrets. It’s a philosophy not just about sport but about life. School, business, academics, love—anything and everything. It’s complicated and yet not. You have to figure out who it is you want to be. Not what you want to be—who. There has to be a vision, a dream, a plan. Then you chase that with everything you’ve got.”

Over three consecutive Olympic games, Apolo Ohno has come to symbolize the very best of the competitive spirit—remaining equally gracious in victory and defeat, always striving to improve his performance, and appreciating the value of the hard work of training as much as any reward it might bring. In Zero Regrets, Apolo shares the inspiring personal story behind his remarkable success, as well as the hard-won truths and strategies he has discovered in good times and bad.

Raised by his single father, an immigrant from Japan who often worked twelve-hour days, the young Apolo found it difficult to balance his enormous natural gifts as an athlete with an admittedly wild, rebellious streak. After making a name for himself as a promising young speed skater, his career was almost over before it began when his lack of preparation caused him to finish last at the U.S. Olympic trials in 1998. A life-changing week of solitary soul-searching at the age of fifteen led him to recommit himself to his training, and at the 1999 world junior championships he won first place overall—one of the most remarkable turnarounds in sports history. From that moment on, the world of speed skating had a new champion and Apolo was on his way to legendary status.

Much more than an account of races won and lost, Zero Regrets is a compelling portrait of a father-and-son relationship that deepened over time and was based on respect, love, and unshakable faith in each other. For the first time, Apolo reveals what he knows about his long-absent mother; he makes us feel what it is like to face the best competitors on the planet with the eyes of millions of fans upon you; and he shares his secrets for achieving total focus and mental toughness, secrets that can be applied in situations well beyond sports. We learn the details of the unbelievably intense workout and diet that he endured while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics, a regime that literally reshaped his body and led to some of his most thrilling victories.

In this deeply personal and entertaining book, Apolo shows how we can all come closer to living with zero regrets. While Apolo’s own journey may be unique, the insights he has gleaned along the way have the power to help us all feel like champions every day.

Reviews

Articulate and Conversational
Nice mix of motivational philosophy and biography. I was pleased that the book stays out of the gossipy details, but focuses more on mindset, competition preparation and personal memories. Apolo comes across as a genuinely nice guy who stays true to his mission. He's had highs and lows like anyone and I found it very inspirational as I face life's challenges. His life could have gone in a completely different direction and I enjoyed reading how he recognized where he was heading and how he steered himself toward a higher destiny. His relationship with his father is heartwarming. Role models so often disappoint but Apolo's journey shows that there are some smart, thoughtful athletes to learn from and be inspired by.

An inspiring must-read!
ZERO REGRETS: BE GREATER THAN YESTERDAY succeeds not merely as a compelling memoir, but as an inspiring motivational guide to mental and physical strength, personal and professional reward, through the pursuit of zero regrets.

I loved reading it, particularly the love, respect, admiration, and gratitude Apolo has for his amazing dad, Yuki Ohno. Mr. Ohno himself is an inspiration, and we can all do well to learn from his wisdom, his constant and unconditional love, and unwavering support as Apolo's "hero, best friend, coach, mentor, Dad."

Short track speed skating serves as the dramatic medium for Apolo's profound and powerful message; fraught with unforeseen challenges at every turn, seemingly insurmountable obstacles--and in Apolo's case, amazing recoveries and brilliant victories--short track is the perfect metaphor for life, and Apolo the perfect example of living with zero regrets.

In the prologue, Apolo states: "I did not want to write a book out of some sense of self-indulgence, or perfectionism, or self-adoration. No. Instead, I simply wanted to make plain what I have learned along my path in the hope that my journey would encourage others to strive for what is needed, to reach for the unreachable, to recognize that everyone makes mistakes but the point is to bounce back stronger."

Thank you, Apolo and Mr. Ohno, for sharing so much of yourselves and what you have learned, and encouraging us and inspiring us to be greater than yesterday in this moving, beautifully written book.

Candid look inside the heart and soul of a champion
From the first sentence, you are hooked. You quickly realize this is not the typical celebrity tell-all. This is a candid look into the heart and soul of a champion and how he finds inspiration in his own life.

For a young man who is accustomed to showing no emotion on the ice, Apolo truly opens up about his challenges, insecurities, and successes. Apolo does not paint himself in a totally positive light either. He acknowedges the mistakes he made, the path that was leading him astray, the rebellious years where he butted heads with his father. He readily gives praise and respect to those people that made a difference in his own life through their support, coaching, expertise, friendship, loyalty, and love. However, Apolo stops short of any mention of his romantic life. By his own admission in a recent interview, he did not want this to be a book about "women I have dated or who wanted to date me."

Apolo provides an inside look into the sacrifices he made and the grueling training schedule he endured to prepare for his Olympic pursuits. He talks about his thoughts in those moments before his races, during his races, and after the races. Apolo's personal philosophy that things happen the way they are supposed to provides an interesting perspective on each of his wins and losses, successes and failures.

And for those who first met Apolo on Dancing with the Stars, you will not be disappointed. He recounts how he was first approached to do the show, his decision to participate, and his experiences as part of the wildly popular reality show.

This will be a book that you will read more than once. It will be your go-to book when you are searching for inspiration to get you through your own challenge. It will be the book you will reach for when you need motivation. It will be a constant reminder that life is best lived when you strive for zero regrets.

Amazing... Inspirational
Apolo grew up fast and faced many challenges. Instead of complaining, he turned his energy towards positive actions and became the amazing young man that he is today. He opens up and shares his thoughts while training, competing, and preparing his goals for the next steps in his life. He is a positive role model and I recommend that his book be required reading material in schools. I was fortunate enough to meet him at a recent book singing and he is just as nice in person as he is in the media.

Zero Regrets? Most Definitely
Zero Regrets is a great read. I eagerly anticipated its release, even when it was just a post-Olympics consideration. Once I started reading, though, I wasn't disappointed. Far from it. It's a page turner, and you will have a tough time putting it down. I will say this: I read a lot, but I have never wanted to read the same book twice in the span of a week...until now. The way Apolo describes his experience is captivating, and odds are you may have missed a few things the first time through.
Pick yourself up a copy. You won't regret it ;)

Must Read
Zero Regrets is more than just a story of success for an olympic athlete. It is a story of rebellion, angst and heart. Apolo Ohno and his father have an amazing connection. This father and son relationship was a life saver for this young man. The dedication his father had and still has to his son is remarkable. He went to great lengths to make sure his son had direction, guidance and love. When Apolo realized the amazing gift he had in front of him he began to see his life through a new vision. His talent was useless until his mental focus grew to meet it. Inspiring, motivating and captivating are qualities that this book is filled with. It is a story everyone can relate to.

Zero Regrets should be required reading in schools
Whether or not you are a fan of Apolo Ohno (I'll admit I've been a huge fan since 2002) this is a book that everyone should read. Apolo's life story alone (told in conversational detail) is a reason to read this book. However, Zero Regrets: Be Great Than Yesterday is far more than a simple memoir... it's a philosophy. And the philosophy is as simple as the title states: Be greater than yesterday. Apolo outlines the vicissitudes of life, the up and the downs of the journey. However, it's his attitude and genuine respect for other people that really resonate with the reader. As a former educator, I truly believe that this is the kind of book kids should be required to read in school. It illustrates the importance of so many valuable life lessons, with a fresh perspective and a touch of humor. It teaches you to never give up...but not in an annoying preachy way. What makes Apolo Ohno a true hero has nothing to do with the record-breaking 8 olympic medals he has won. What make him a true hero is the context of his character.

Amazing person, amazing story!
I've been a fan of Apolo Ohno since the 2002 Olympics. I admit he first caught my eye because of his looks, but I became a fan for life due to the class and grace with which he conducted himself during those Games. Since then he has proven time and again what a great role model he is for all ages, on and off the ice. I had the honor of meeting him at one of his book signings and he is truly one of the nicest, most pleasant and genuine people I've ever met.

If possible, I admire this amazing young man even more after reading this book. He writes from the heart about his early life, competitions, and yes, even a bit about "Dancing with the Stars." He talks about his all-too-human struggles with injuries, self-doubt, fear, and frustration, and how he overcame these challenges with the help of his friends, coaches, advisors, and his amazing father. He proves that it doesn't matter where you come from; anyone can chase their dreams and improve their lives.

Make no mistake, this is no sleazy kiss-and-tell type memoir. If you're looking for gossip, you won't find it here. Instead you'll find motivation and advice that you can apply to any aspect of life. He has a way of raising your spirits through his words; you just feel good after reading this book. And I definitely recommend listening to the audio version; listening to his story in his own voice is quite the treat. He is a natural storyteller and very articulate. The microphone loves him as much as the camera does.

I would give this book and its author more than five stars if possible.

Inspirational
I'm almost finished reading Apolo Anton Ohno's book and have more admiration for him than even before I read his book. His insight and maturity amazes me. The dedication to his sport and to living his life with "No regrets" can be an example to us all. I plan on giving the book to family members for Christmas as the message he conveys can apply to everyone, no matter their age or whether they are an athlete or not. What a great role model for our youth. Congrats to Apolo and thanks for sharing your life and being an inspiration for us all. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

A Hockey Memoir with a lot of Heart, November 16, 2010
I bought this book after reading an excerpt in The Hockey News Magazine. I really didn't know what to expect. Fraser paints a picture of the NHL that is grueling, touching, and funny. He follows his time from his ascension into the ranks as an NHL Referee and follows some extremely memorable moments up until his last game. Fraser discusses some confrontations and experiences with players that are often colorful. What was most endearing about this book were the touching and emotional moments that Fraser experienced. He shows how meaningful hockey has been to him and many of the players he has worked with over the years. As he talks about his last games in different hockey venues, i found myself touched with the admiration and respect that some of the NHL's legendary players had for Fraser. This book is wonderful. I am a college student and amid my various due dates and other responsibilities i found myself reading this book whenever i had a chance. I very highly recommend this book.

David, December 1, 2010
I have been waiting eagerly for this book since I knew of its publication, and after an easy couple of days read, I found that the wait was worthwhile. I believe any hockey fan will enjoy the insights and wonderful stories about hockey's famous and not so famous, as well as what it is really like to officiate the fast paced, hard hitting game of professional ice hockey. If you love the game, this insightful and intertaining memoir is a must. if you're not a fan, it is still a must read that will provide a window into the life of one of the most enduring and revered referees in the history of the NHL. This book will bring not only a smile to your face, but also may bring a tear to your eye. When I finished reading the compelling recollections of Kerry Fraser, I found myself wanting more. Thanks Kerry for putting the same heart and soul you gave to professional hockey, all those years, into this book.

A Must Read Book For All Hockey Fans, November 29, 2010
Kerry Fraser provides readers with an inside look at hockey. Readers are given a rare look at the human side of being an NHL Official. In this book, Kerry opened his heart for all to see. Readers will experience the emotions and pressures that he experienced. This is one book that you will not be able to put down. If you always wanted to know what it feels like to be an NHL Referee, this is the book. If you always wanted to know what is said on the ice, this is the book. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys hockey. This may be Kerry Fraser's "The Final Call", but I hope it is not his final book.

HE SCORES!, November 27, 2010
I ordered this book for my husband after he (like a previous Hockey News subscriber) became intrigued from reading excerpts in the latest issue. It arrived today and my husband can't put it down! For any woman married to a hockey fan, this is the perfect gift for Christmas ... and for those of us who have learned to love the game after being married to a hockey fan, we will patiently wait our turn for the chance to read it after he's done!

The best hair in Hockey, November 25, 2010
Loved reading it... Great stories... cool to learn about what is really said on the ice...Highly entertaining and i would recommend it strongly for any hockey fan...

A must read for hockey fans., December 14, 2010
This is one of the best hockey books I've read in a while. It gave some insight about what actually goes on on the ice between players and officials. Kerry Fraser talks about his most memorable NHL arenas and his most moments in each of them. He references some games that I remember watching on TV, as well as ones that I attended. I recommend this to any hockey fan. ... Read more

Editorial Review

In a city known as home to some of the sporting world s biggest stars, few have ever shined as brightly as the Chicago Blackhawks Bobby Hull. Born in Point Anne, Ontario, the Golden Jet burst onto the NHL scene as an 18-year-old rookie in 1957 and never looked back. One of the most charismatic and electrifying athletes of his or any era, Hull thrilled fans with his unique combination of speed, skill, and grace. During his 15 years in the Windy City, Hull amassed a team-record 604 career goals, collected three Art Ross trophies as the league s leading scorer, and earned hockey s ultimate prize in 1961: Lord Stanley s Cup and a championship ring.
But Hull s on-the-ice exploits only tell part of his amazing story. One of the greatest ambassadors of the sport then and to this day, the man generally regarded as the finest left wing in history has been a tireless promoter of the game and has fostered a deep and personal connection with his fans like few other players. Only a handful of former athletes can merit a standing ovation from a crowd of 22,000 fans merely by showing their faces; Bobby Hull is one of those men.
In The Golden Jet, Hull traces his life and career from his days as a youngster learning to skate on the Bay of Quinte to his current role as a Blackhawks ambassador. Featuring hundreds of rare, full-color photos from his personal archive and accompanying text from legendary Chicago sports columnist and Blackhawks team historian Bob Verdi, The Golden Jet gives Hull s millions of fans a never-before-seen glimpse into the life of this hockey icon. Bringing the pictures to life is an exclusive commemorative DVD, which includes highlights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes clips from the Blackhawks video library.
A must-have keepsake for Blackhawks fans of all ages, The Golden Jet is a rare opportunity to celebrate the life of the greatest hockey player in Chicago s history. There is only one Bobby Hull. ... Read more

Reviews

The DVD alone makes this a must buy, October 29, 2010
Most fans only know Bobby Hull as the friendly, white-haired man they see at Blackhawks games. This book is a reminder that he was also one of the greatest athletes of all time. It is also an amazing trip through hockey history.

The Golden Jet features hundreds of Hull's personal photos, all accompanied with personal remembrances and anecdotes. Beginning with his childhood in Canada, through all his playing days, and into his current role with the Blackhawks, this is a beautiful coffee table book whether you're old enough to remember Hull's career or not.

The DVD that is included is top-notch - it includes footage from his career, new interviews with Hull, Stan Mikita, and others, video of the night they retired Hull's number, and a bunch of other extras. I would've paid $15 just for the DVD!

The Golden Jet in Pictures..............., November 20, 2010
An Incredible journey thru the career of Bobby Hull..The photos shows Hockey's "Golden Era" and the added Dvd,makes the price of the book well worth it..the milestones that Bobby reached in his career,many of which Still stand after some 40 years..a Great coffe-table book and a Excellent Xmas gift for the Hockey fan regardless of their team affiliation...........

bobby hull golden jet, November 14, 2010
as a big blackhawk fan and watching bobby hull growing up this is a great book along with great pictures and dvd fastest shipping ever thank you

Thorough yet Incomplete, December 26, 2010
This photo biography with commentary underlines the special relationship Bobby Hull had/has with the City of Chicago, as that city's most revered sports icon. The fact that his reconcilliation with the Black Hawks organization contributed to that franchises renaissance is remarkable, considering that he left the team in 1972 under less than amicable circumstances. Chicago sports fans who were not even born when he left are aware his legendary excellence as hockey's best Left Wing Forward of all time.
One has to wonder though; who really commissioned this book? Hull or the Black Hawks?
Hull emphasizes the greatness of the Black Hawk organization throughout the book, fair enough. But the fact that he makes no mention at all of the great hockey he played in Winnipeg with his Hot Line teammates, Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg is troubling.
Hull is justifiably proud of his numerous 50+ goal seasons in Chicago and the 1961 Stanley Cup, but what about the numerous 50+ goal seasons as a Jet, including that one remarkable 77 goal season? What about the two AVCO Cup Championshps? What about scoring 3 goals and collecting 2 assists in the Jets 5-3 upset of the Soviet National Team? What about being the premier player in the 1974 WHA/Soviet Summit Series?
Bobby Hull as a Black Hawk is just part of his legacy. This book should have included his contribution to the game as a Winnipeg Jet.
Once again, it seems, the NHL is doing it's best to erase the memory of that league. In much the same way Stalin removed comrades from photographs after he had them "taken care of",the NHL is ensuring any historial reference of the Winnipeg Jets in the WHA and NHL is being removed.
... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Wide variety of stories, April 12, 2006
This mini-anthology has a wide range of hockey stories from one written by the American, Pulitzer-winning author William Faulkner (this story was junk, though well written if you like Faulkner) to life on the road as a minor league player hoping to be called up (poignantly and rawly written like the life itself), to a homily to Toe Blake, to a portrait of The Great One (Gretzky) by Peter Gzowski, to how to make your own backyard rink.

The quality of writing is generally very good and virtually every story offers an interesting perspective on the game. Stories are short so you can read one on the subway or before you go to bed at night. All in all, a decent hard cover to have on your bookshelf.

Any true hockey fan will relish this special book, March 21, 2007
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (2/07)

Being an avid hockey fan I wasn't too expectant upon reading "short stories" about the great moments in hockey and being surprised by what they had to say. Imagine my delight when I found not only interesting and completely out of the ordinary tales of some of the most memorable moments in hockey, right before my eyes, but stories told that I knew with inside looks that make them seem completely different than any other I've read.

"The Greatest Hockey Stories Ever Told" is a wonderful compilation of stories regarding the greatest game on ice, hockey. With everything from "The Miracle Team" from a perspective you probably have never heard before to "A Portrait of The Great One," Wayne Gretzky, you will find each story with its own form and style, told like no other. With so many authors contributing to the book, there is an infinite amount of perspectives that you probably have never seen before on the game. Hockey greats like Toe Blake, Wayne Gretzky, and the infamous Montreal Canadiens and their years of reign are all topics of conversation in this great book of hockey stories and memories.

The style and content are so unique to any other hockey book I've ever read that I am somewhat speechless as to how to compare it to anything else. Loaded with stories, insider's views, coaches' memories, team moments and so much more, any true hockey fan will relish this special book and all its content. The ability to read a story and put it down to come back to later makes it a great book to simply keep around to get your "hockey fix," especially out of season! So after the Cup Craze is over, pull up a seat and enjoy an inside look at the real life stories of hockey and all of its glorious moments. Even the most well-versed and trivia filled amongst us will find an inside look at this great life on and off the ice in "The Greatest Hockey Stories Ever Told."

A very eclectic and enjoyable collection, August 29, 2007
I've read a lot of hockey books and found most of them to be light on substance from either a literary or technical standpoint. This collection, however, captures so many of the nuances and back stories that make the game of hockey so incredibly unique. E.M. Swifts piece titled "A Reminder Of What We Can Be" is my favorite hockey story ever. I was a 15 year old hockey player at the time the United States beat the Soviet Union and I remember following that team in the papers all winter. When the big game was tape delayed, I was so disappointed because I had a game that night and we didn't have a VCR back then. One of the fathers had a B&W television going in the penalty box and although we new the outcome, both teams decided to stop play and huddle around that television to watch the 3rd period. We hugged and high fived as if we had beaten the mighty Russians ourselves. That moment in time was a rare convergence of what is great about life and hockey. E.M. Swift clearly understands the meaning.
"Facing The Shooter" by Wilkinson is a fantastic account of what its really like to play the most stressful position in sports, hockey goaltender.
This book may be a bit difficult for younger readers to get through and grasp, but older fans will appreciate the depth and quality of the writing.

A Worthwhile Collection, February 2, 2009
Quibbles first: I don't know if anyone can fairly claim to have collected "The Greatest Hockey Stories Ever Told." There are far too many to fit in one volume, and no matter how varied your selection, you're going to miss several stories that some diehard hockey fan somewhere will gripe about. (Which is why I'm going to end my complaint there.)

That said, please don't make the mistake I did and assume that this book will fall short of your expectations. Urstadt's collection is worth every penny. From 1980's "Miracle on Ice" to junior hockey in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Urstadt has managed to capture the many sides of the game, offering blow-by-blow accounts of hockey games from around the world--including Romania and Corpus Christi, Texas. (Believe it or not, they're actually quite similar.)

There are highlights, including Red Fisher's memories of Hector "Toe" Blake; "The Style of the Man" by Hugh Hood, which uses near-scientific poetry to describe the graceful ferocity of Jean Beliveau; and Jeff Robinson's painfully accurate take on the hockey fan. Yet, almost every selection will have you flipping to the back of the book, looking with hope to see if it was merely an excerpt. (I myself have added several books to my wish list thanks to this volume.)

The one disappointment, oddly enough, is a short article by William Faulkner ("An Innocent at Rinkside") originally printed in Sports Illustrated. It's clear that Faulkner didn't understand and didn't like hockey, and in the end, he uses his presence at Madison Square Gardens to question the common practice of beginning sports events with the national anthem. Blech.

So, even if I can't help but complain about the title, I have to admit: this book serves up some darn good tales. You'd be sorry not to pick it up.

Great find., November 23, 2008
The title is true to it's word - a great collection of extremely interesting hockey stories. Very happy I made the purchase. ... Read more

Editorial Review

How are the ice blocks of igloos so perfectly formed and fitted, andable, it’s been said, to withstand the weight of a polar bear?How can you determine if the fresh snow that’s fallen outside your front door is as good for making a slab shelter as a snowman? What is a slab shelter, anyway? For that matter, what are drift caves, spruce traps, snow block walls, and bivy bag shelters, and how would you go about building them, whether for winter fun or protection from the weather?

In thisinstructive, whimsical, illustrated manual,Norbert E. Yankielun, a seasoned cold-regionsexplorer and researcher, takes readersstep-by-step through the process of constructing and inhabiting a range of useful snowstructures—from the most basic to the morecomplex. Whether you’re a veteran backcountryskier or a backyard builder, this is one bookyou won’t want to be without. 100 black-and-white line drawings ... Read more

Reviews

As Good As It Gets, January 12, 2008
First of all my 5 and 6 year old started looking at this book and it was hard to get it back from them as they were so charmed by the pictures. They have been playing in the snow and hounding me to help ever since.

Second of All I lived in Nunavut for 9 years and took lessons in igloo building from Inuit elders. I also worked with elders and teachers to create a unit on igloo building for students and teachers. I learned to make a half presentable igloo in this process! I can say with a modicum of expertise that many books on the subject are complete flops but not this one.

This book is the real deal. The pictures are great and the text is as well. A fantastic and charming tutorial for playing in the snow. First rate.

Just Add Snow!, December 12, 2007
What a truly delightful book describing both the science and the frivolity of snow structures. Dr. Why's excellent detail and evident excitement about the subject lend a depth to a subject all those exposed to the colder climes will enjoy. Make those NOT in a snow-filled area jealous... Great book for all ages and abilities!

Outdoor Fun and Survival, October 22, 2008
"There are lots of reasons to build a snow shelter. A snow shelter can be a serious survival refuge for people who work or play in the winter backcountry. It can be a fun social experience shared by friends, or a wonderful educational and inexpensive afternoon family project." ~ pg. 9

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to build a snow shelter then this book has many creative ideas including:

Preparation Before Building
Igloos
Quinzees
Slab Shelters
Drift Caves
Spruce Traps
Expedient Shelters
Camping Out

Norbert E. Yankielun explains why snow on a roof helps keep a house warmer and how snow acts as an insulator to protect plant roots and even stops hibernating animals from freezing. He then gives safety tips and explains the importance of nutrition and hydration. He also discusses windchill, frostbite, claustrophobia, hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning.

"...it has been reported that polar bears occasionally climb on top of an abandoned igloo to better survey the surrounding flat terrain for prey." ~ pg. 39

The instructions for building an igloo are very detailed and there are some interesting ideas for making part of the igloo with a block of ice for a window to let some light in. In areas where there is less snow an igloo can still be made after making a "sheet cake" of snow. Making a quinzee looks easier than the igloo or you could try to make a slab shelter that looks like a "pup tent." For most of the shelters it seems better to have at least two people working on the project. The simplest project includes a spruce tree and snow packed around it to form a type of cave for two people.

Throughout the book safety is emphasized. There are also creative ideas to keep tents from blowing over in damaging winds. A few structures are built with tarps. There is a short discussion about camping items you will need if you are sleeping out in your snow shelter. If you are building an igloo near your house all you need is warm clothing, a shovel and a saw. This book could save lives if you are out camping or can be a source of fun ideas if you just like to play around in the snow.

~The Rebecca Review

More than igloos, it's the other shelters, November 12, 2008
I had been looking for something exactly like this for a class that I help teach.
We wanted the "Other" Shelters, not igloos and not caves. This book has the
best treatment of any book that I have been able to find. The illustrations
are also outstanding. It would be great for kids too, although my students are
adults. We wanted to find the other shelters because the igloo/cave take too
much time to build when you are running out of day light. Most other books
have just lifted ideas from old Army manuals. This author is a distinguished
engineer and his work shows that. This is the best outdoor book that I have
read all year!

Any collection located in an area that gets winter snow will relish this fun, appealing title!, January 9, 2008
How are blocks of ice cut and fitted to create an igloo, how can one assess snow possibilities to build one, and what are other shelter options for snowy areas? Norbert Yankielun's How to Build an Igloo and Other Snow Shelters covers all the basics, offering step-by-step insights on how to construct - and inhabit - an igloo or other snow shelter. Any collection located in an area that gets winter snow will relish this fun, appealing title!

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

interesting, January 3, 2008
my son got this as a gift and enjoyed the variety of snow shelter info.

Okay condition, September 11, 2010
Product came in slightly worse condition than advertised: the book's both front and back cover were bent. But, price was unbeatable. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Paulsen and his team of dogs endured snowstorms, frostbite, dogfights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, and hallucinations in the relentless push to go on. Map and color photographs.
... Read more

Reviews

I haven't laughed so hard in years!, March 10, 2004
I made the grave mistake of trying to read this book while on a public bus. It wasn't long before I realized the folly in this, as I repeatedly had to stifle the wild guffaws that threatened to pour forth without my consent. The other passengers probably came to the conclusion that I was either very sick or slightly deranged as I rocked back and forth in my seat and tried to pretend that I was, in fact, merely coughing. Gary Paulsen has offered us one of the most hilarious accounts of running the Iditarod that I have ever come across.

Living in Minnesota, Paulsen had a small team of five dogs that he used to work his traplines. Over time he became more and more entranced with mushing, until he eventually realized that wanted to, needed to, run the Iditarod - the 1,100+ mile dogsled race stretching across the state of Alaska between Anchorage and Nome. The first half of the book deals with his preparation for the race - finding more dogs, training the dogs, getting the right equipment, etc. We soon see that he has quite a bit to learn. Over the course of this training period, Paulsen finds himself attacked by dogs, run away with by dogs, and often spending many miles being dragged along on the ground behind his sled by dogs. He manages to break his sled repeatedly, get separated from his team, and one night, get sprayed by five different skunks in rapid succession. He is, in short, one of the least qualified of all possible Iditarod candidates.

The second half of the book takes us through the race itself. In the beginning, he makes every possible rookie mistake. He gets lost before even leaving the city of Anchorage, after putting the wrong animal in the lead-dog position:

"We went through people's yards, ripped down fences, knocked over garbage cans. At one point I found myself going through a carport and across a backyard with fifteen dogs and a fully loaded Iditarod sled. A woman standing over the kitchen sink looked out with wide eyes as we passed through her yard and I snapped a wave at her before clawing the handlebar once again to hang on while we tore down her picket fence when Wilson [the lead dog] tried to thread through a hole not much bigger than a housecat. And there is a cocker spaniel who will never come into his backyard again. He heard us coming and turned to bark just as the entire team ran over him; I flipped one of the runners up to just miss his back and we were gone, leaving him standing facing the wrong way barking at whatever it was that had hit him" (pg. 145).

Much of the first half of the race is a series of such uproarious follies. Unbeknownst to him at the time, the other mushers had voted Paulsen the least likely competitor to get out of Anchorage. But he eventually did, and he ultimately manages to muddle his way through the entire race. As the journey goes on, the book becomes a little more serious as we see Paulsen undergo a transformation. He learns about himself, about the dogs, and about life. He feels himself become one with the frozen world of the north, eventually feeling more at home there that he had with his wife and family in Minnesota.

There are sad parts, too. We see a beloved dog trampled to death by a moose before the first day is over. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurence. Moose do not yield the right-of-way to dog teams, and can be extremely dangerous when upset. We also see a maddened musher kill one of his own dogs in a fit of rage. Killing or abusing dogs during the race is strictly prohibited, and the man was duly disqualified, but I still found this the hardest part of the book to read.

'Winterdance' is a magnificent story of a man following his dream and gaining a wealth of knowledge about himself and the world. Paulsen's easy, self-deprecating humor and vivid verbal imagery bring the story to life. It is also a fast read - I finished the book in one day. I have rarely read anything that has made me laugh so hard, or that has moved me so much by the end. Growing up in Alaska, I always watched the Iditarod start in Anchorage. I've met some of the winning mushers. But Paulsen's story is entirely unique. He was not a race champion or mushing hero, but the rankest rookie out there. And yet he endears himself to our hearts. For any fan of dog mushing, wilderness survival stories, or both, I recommend this book without hesitation.

For those who love animals, have had a chance to work and play, April 28, 1997
Winterdance by Gary Paulsen is an absolutely fascinating and entertaining depiction about how one man lives out his dream of running in the Iditarod sled-dog race. From the moment we meet Gary and his dog team in a winter storm in Minnesota till the time he gets dragged down Dalzell Gorge in Alaska, his optimism, his observations and his relationship with his dogs keeps one glued to the pages of this book. Paulsen's personal account is easy reading in that he does not dwell in complex literary style, use large words or go overboard in describing deep characters or flowery scenery. He merely relates what he sees and feels. Often his mission is just staying alive and attached to his sled. His descriptions about his summer training with a bicycle and a car body leave you laughing out loud and in wonder about his perseverance and dedication to his dream" You look like a toy", Ruth (his wife) said as I came back from being dragged out of the yard on my face, hanging on to the overturned rig. " A big doggie toy...."Out of the first twenty runs, I didn't once leave the yard in one piece." His sense of humor is overwhelming as he tackles training a dog team without any instruction, without a book or manual but only his desire to run dogs to keep him going. `In subsequent runs I left the yard on my face, my ass, my back, my belly. I dragged for a mile, two miles, three miles. I lost the team eight, ten times; walked twelve, seventeen, once forty-some miles looking for them. The rig broke every time we ran....""I once left the yard with wooden matches in my pocket and had them ignite as I was being dragged past the door of the house, giving me the semblance of a meteorite, screaming something about my balls being on fire at Ruth, who was laughing so hard she couldn't stand." Picturing this scene has got to put a smile on your face even if you can suppress an outward giggle. In between the excitement, thrill and adventure of the Iditarod is the story of the dogs. Each dog has it's own personality, each has it's role in the team. One learns to respect the lead dog and the decisions they must make for " their choices can literally mean life or death for the team and driver, often when the driver cannot see what is happening." However you often wonder why keep a dog like Devil who won't hesitate to pick a fight, bite the hand that feeds it or cause chaos within the team. Yet he is integral to the whole dog team and Gary reflects about the "bond" between driver and dogs as follows. " Dogs rarely violate this relationship(the bond)-virtually never. Devil may bite me, might kill other dogs, but by god he pulled and would die pulling and that was a kind of love. I have watched them work, always in awe-and not a little love- and sometimes what they are, out ahead of me, the curve from me up through the sled and gangline into the dogs, all of us moving for some new horizon, sometimes it becomes more, becomes spiritual, religious." It is these reflections interspersed between the gruelling physical pain of running eleven hundred and eighty miles in bitter cold, gale force wind and over terrain that makes the moon seem civilized that makes this book so special. Paulsen finishes the race, and we find out he runs it again. But in the end he is advised "You'll have to lead a normal life". A line on the final page sums up what the Iditarod and this fine piece of writing is all about. Gary says "How can it be to live without the dogs?" For those who love animals, have had a chance to work and play with dogs or for those who just like a good book written from the heart and soul, Winterdance is a must read.

The fine madness of running the Iditarod, July 19, 2002
This book packs quite a punch. Each chapter ended with this reader wincing for the author, who had just spent the night stumbling through a Minnesota swamp, his eyes almost swollen shut from mosquito bites, searching for his runaway dog team, or had been blown down an Alaskan mountainside with his team, in the midst of a blinding snowstorm.

Not to mention the five-skunk night.

It takes a great deal of physical as well as mental toughness to train for the Iditarod, much less run a team of half-wild dogs in the actual race.

"Winterdance" reminds me of Algernon Blackwood's "Wendigo:" in both stories men are caught by the spirit of the Great Northern Wilderness, and perish or almost perish. I think the most telling moment in Paulsen's book comes when he runs his team to the end of his trapline---and then keeps on going in the dead of a Minnesota winter, just to see what lies beyond the next hill. His wife's intuition to call out a search team was correct, even though Paulsen eventually did turn back. The 'Wendigo' or wanderlust had almost captured his soul.

It also reminds me of "Call of the Wild." Like Jack London, Paulsen has a laconic, fluid writing style, and both authors include the Wilderness itself as one of their major characters. I won't say that either man subscribed to Blackwood's weird brand of pantheistic mysticism, but read how Paulsen slowly bonds with his dogs--and other wild animals.

This book is also a grand dog story with more pratfalls than a "Three Stooges" movie. The author spent many a night on his backside, being dragged down a dirt road (or worse, through a second-growth forest) by his lusty team. Running the Iditarod takes a very special madness, and Paulsen endured moose attacks, blizzards, dog bites, and too many helpings of moose chili to draw us into his very beautiful and brutal world.

I really did laugh right out loud!, January 3, 1999
My co-worker gave me this book with a note that said "read this, you will laugh out loud!". So, as a dog lover I read it. Sure enough, I laughed right out loud and had to get myself together to call my co-worker to laugh with her. The book was so well written, so concise and yet so full of everything it is to know dogs. The Iditarod must truly be a race of crazy people, but I sure enjoyed my trip with Gary Paulsen. Now I want to read more of his books! Everyone with dog should read this book! I loved it!

Absolutely fantastic., February 28, 2002
Gary Paulsen is a master writer insofar as the young male set goes-he has written a long series of stories that have captured the imagination of young men everywhere, from his fictional wildlife adventure tales like Hatchett to his entertaining Culpeper Adventure series, Paulsen has a knack for connecting with a young male audience.

He was my son's all time favorite author growing up and, last time I visited him at college, noticed he had a copy of Hatchet on his bookshelf at school. I asked him about it and he said something to the effect that his room didn't feel like home without it there. How many writers can affect people like that?

Winterdance is a bit of a departure for Paulsen. As sott of younger male's version of Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air, the book is a memoir telling the story of Paulsen's entry into the Iditarod dog sled race in Alaska. Funny, sad, poignant and riveting, I read it and enjoyed it very much. I also had my son read it and he loved it as well. I rather suspect it's on his shelf next to Hatchett.

You can't really go wrong with Paulsen, but this is one of his very best works, which makes this one of the best works ever for this genre.

Want to help your son, nephew, whomever to love to read while making your son, nephew, whoever very happy? Give them this book.

Funniest book I have ever read!, December 19, 2000
There I was, sitting next to my husband, reading "Winterdance", and all of a sudden I would break out laughing uproariously! My husband would look over at me and say, 'now what"? So then I would try to tell him about the episode I was reading, and sometimes I couldn't get it all out because I was laughing so hard. Finally, after many outbursts by me, he said he wanted to read it when I was finished. Of course, he got hooked and also agreed with me that it IS the funniest book we have read. I went out and bought 6 copies to give as holiday gifts last year. So we have turned many friends and family members into Gary Paulsen book readers. Paulsen's descriptions of the predicaments he would get into with the training and running of his dogs are so vivid, you feel as though you are there with him, and can't stop laughing. I highly recommend this to adults, as well as children - it is an easy read - and a book you will want to read again!

Winterdance Review, May 3, 2004
Winterdance is a book about a crazed fool who tries to run the Iditarod without any real knowledge of the race and very little experience with running dog sled teams. This makes Gary Paulsen's trip across Alaska hilarious and entertaining. One example of this is toward the beginning of the book when he falls off his sled during training. His snow hook catches in his boot and the dogs drag him around. During the turns the dogs crack the whip, and he "established intimate relations with trees". Paulsen talks you through his entire trip across Alaska in this same funny way.

Winterdance is told through Gary Paulsen's eyes but is not limited to him as the main character. Some of the other main characters include but are not limited to Cookie, his female lead dog, Devil, his crazy mean male dog that eats anything that moves or at least takes a bite out of it, and Max, male his weakest link.

Normally I only read fantasy books, but I found that Gary Paulsen's Winterdance both funny and entertaining enough to please me.

Amazing Book, May 9, 2005
I can't believe I had this book for about 3 years before I finally "found time" to read it. I haven't laughed so hard since reading "A Walk in the Woods." And I cried, oh, how I cried. Dogs are such amazing creatures and those who haven't experienced a dog's love are truly missing out.

Winterdance, July 16, 2003
I wasn't real sure about this book when I took it out of the library. I didn't know what an Iditarod was, and wasn't sure I cared to know. However, from the first few pages on, I couldn't put the book down. I like dogs, but I wouldn't consider myself a dog lover. However, after reading this book, I came away with a different view of animals, especially dogs, and the magnitude of training for this big race. Gary takes the reader from the time he decides to sell everything he and his family own, and move to Minnesota to live off the land, by running traplines, and hunting his own food, and to train dogs for the Iditarod race. The reader is taken on a great adventure from the time he begins training the dogs to the race itself. He describes his adventures with such humor and detail, that I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions, and actually there were times when I felt as though I was on the sled with him, taking the ride of my life. Many times I believe I felt his pain as he describes slamming into trees, being dragged on his face by the dogs for miles, and skunked six times in one night. This is truly a good book, and I definitely will pick up another book by Gary Paulsen to read soon in my lesure time. I highly recommend this book fo all to read.

Laughing all the way, March 10, 2006
My husband read this book first. He constantly interrupted whatever I was doing to read it aloud because he was enjoying it so much. Finally, so that he would leave me alone, I agreed to read a chapter. All I can say is that a book has never made me laugh out loud like this one did. We both laughed until tears were running down our cheeks! I am so glad that my husband has never had any inclination to run the Iditarod like Paulsen did. I'm sure that if he had, the results would have been as hilarious as Paulsen's experiences. It's funny enough just to see my husband pack up to go duck hunting with our two Labs. As he drives off with the dogs disagreeing about who will get to sit up front, I am always reminded of the Three Stooges, but instead of Larry, Curly, and Moe, it's Stan, Daisy, and Buddy. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Drawing on his work with some of the top teams in professional sports, noted sport psychology consultant Gary Mack shares with you the same techniques and exercises he uses to help elite athletes build mental "muscle." These 40 accessible lessons and inspirational anecdotes will help you gain the "head edge" over the competition. ... Read more

Reviews

Well worth the time and the price. If more tactics, better, December 6, 2005
Many readers said that it's clumsily written. I really cant agree so. It's a little repetitive especially in the second half of it. However, the author did quote a lot of real life examples including successful players' personal quotes to stress the importance of the mind on performance. The key message had been well delivered, for sure. However, it would be better if he could tell more on the "how" side, as in page 9, "One key to achieving success in sports is learning how to focus on the task and not let negative thoughts intrude. The mind can concentrate on only one thing at a time. So, rather than suppress what you dont want to happen, you must focus on what you do want to happen or on some neutral thought. In working with the placekicers, I use a distraction technique. I ask them to create a word that, when said to themselves, will block out all negative thought and help relieve tension."

Certainly a good read for aspiring athletes, for leisure and for life. Anyway, below please find some copy and paste of my favorite messages for your reference.

Competition is won or lost on the six inch playing field between the ears. Practice the seven C's (Competitive, Confident, Control, Committed, Composure, Courage, Consistency) of mental toughness. Learn to love the competition. Pg 28

It takes years of hard work to become an overnight success. Are you willing to make the committment and pay the price. Pg 69

Learn how to fail successfully. Hate to fail but never fear it. Learn to view failure as feedback. Pg 80

You cant outperform your self image. - Dennis Connor. Pg 81

Discipline means doing what you have to do when you need to do it, whether you want to or not. Pg 95

The more you hurry the later you get. When you find yourself rushing you are no longer in the present. Pace instead of race. Pg 144

The less tension and effort, the faster and more powerful you will be. - Bruce Lee / The way to run faster is with four fifths effort. Just take it nice and easy. - Bud Winters Pg 145

The will to win is important, but the will to prepare to win is vital. - Joe Paterno / Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. - Wayne Gretzky Pg 155

Excellence for all life's pursuits, April 30, 2005
Mind Gym is one of my favorite books to pickup whenever I need a little inspiration and encouragement. While the many stories and quotes are derived from the world of professional athletics, the book is really about creating excellence in one's life with applicability to any pursuit and any profession. The main theme is that once one reaches a certain level of competency, the level he achieves in performance will be determined by how well he learns to utilize his mind. With this, the author takes us on a fascinating tour of the minds of some of the world's greatest coaches and athletes; their successes, their challenges, and the mental tools they employed to succeed. To borrow a line from the book, "it takes years of hard work to become an overnight success", Mind Gym is an excellent coach along the way.

Not well written, rehashes other books., June 21, 2005
I have just about every book on the topic of sports performance.

I've read others that were more impactful and helpful.

Granted, this book is good if you're just looking for some inspiration that might eventually lead you to results. For immediate results to use on one's game, however, this book isn't it!

As another reviewer said, it's clumsily written. For my hard earned money, I'd like something that I can actually use on my game right away.

If you're a couch potato athlete that only watches a game, this book is probably good. My brother-in-law loves it. He's never played a sport in his life, but is a big fan. For competitive athletes who are more interested in RESULTS and can get their cliches from TV announcers, this book isn't for them.

I'd give it one star, but those who've met the guy seem to like him enough to log onto amazon and write a review. Nothing personal, but I can't give this anything like the rating the others did.

Crippled by one jaw-droppingly awful flaw, April 5, 2009
Mind Gym's theories on sports psychology are not all that revolutionary. Any good coach will already understand the author's thoughts on discipline, preparation, confidence, positive imagery, etc.; however, there is substantial value in the dozens of anecdotes and stories from household name athletes. These examples make great talking points when explaining psychological concepts to kids.

So, until I was almost finished with the book, I definitely enjoyed it. That was until the author revealed that he has all of his clients close their eyes and listen to "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Wow - talk about a blow to his credibility.

If you believe you can overcome this horrendous nugget of info, then you will probably like this book. But if you, like me, find this just too much to bare, then don't waste your time.

Gary Mack, October 23, 2002
Gary Mack is the author of the sports psychological book "Mind Gym." I rate this book with 5 stars becuase I feel that it is at the top of its catagory. For the athlete who desires to gain a mental edge over his/her opponent, there is no better book to shed light on that subject. I read this book while I was healing from a broken back and it turned me around about how I thought about my sport of gymnastics. Garys book opened many doors for me in the way I thought about competition, training, and everyday life. I recommend it to every athlete in every sport because the psychological side of sports is often overlooked. Gary does a great job creating motivation, and better yet--sport and life lessons.

A great book from a great author, August 24, 2004
I had the fortune of knowing Gary Mack personally when I was playing for the Arizona State's Sundevils men's tennis, back in the 2000. All I can say is that the book was extremely useful to me, both in tennis and private life. The bottom line that we can all learn from it is that it's really all about attitude.
May Gary rest in peace.

Clumsily written, cliched, but with a great message, July 10, 2003
I had initially planned to give it just a skim, but then could not put it down. It is full of cliches and hoary coaching bromides, and is obsessed with commercial spectator sports; but its overall, can-do message negates any faults.

No depth at all, October 18, 2010
The author starts by stating how important psychology for sports is. It is.
After this promising start, however, we are presented with chapter after chapter of - well, nothing.
He states something obvious like "belive in yourself" and underlines this with some quotes and success stories from profs.
Great. This does not help at all. I already knew that I need confidence to excel.
No "how to", no in depth tipps, nothing usefull at all :-(

Best one for athletes!, October 4, 2007
I have read several books on the mental game in sports and this is by far the best. I work with collegiate and professional athletes and recommend this so often that Gary Mack should send me a commission!!!

The Most Important Part of the Game, February 12, 2002
As the mild winter weather promises an earlier than usual start to the golf and tennis seasons, I am thinking about equipment, exercises, instructional videotapes and maybe a short "spring training" trip to Florida. But at the top of my list this year will be a re-read of a little book by Gary Mack that will have more impact than all of the above preparations combined. I learned from "Mind Gym" that, for most of us, how we approach our games mentally is the greatest key to improvement. It made a dramatic difference for me -- in attitude, enjoyment and score! ... Read more

Editorial Review

How a movie about minor league hockey became a box office hit-and an international cult classic

Even thirty-odd years after Slap Shot's release, diehard hockey fans can still recite scenes of dialogue by heart, making lines like "putting on the foil" just common argot for the devoted. Yet many may be surprised to learn that the true story behind the making of the film is as captivating as the film itself. In The Making of Slap Shot, veteran sports writer Jonathon Jackson lets fans not only relive just how the film was made, but brings to light surprising facts (i.e., Al Pacino was the first choice for the role of Reggie Dunlop; almost every scene-even the absurd and unbelievable ones-depicts a real life event). With access to those involved in the making of the film, he brings to life some of the magic behind the creation of memorable scenes and characters, especially the Charleston Chiefs, one of the most popular fictional sports teams in history.

• Based on interviews with over 50 cast members, production staff, and anyone of note involved in the film's creation

Destined to be a collectible and keepsake (along with the jerseys, bobbleheads, and other paraphernalia associated with the film), The Making of Slapshot is a must for fans eager to learn even more about their favorite film. ... Read more

Reviews

If You're a Fan of Slapshot, You'll like this book. . ., October 6, 2010
This book gives some great insight into minor league hockey during the 1970s and tells the real story behind the stories in Slap Shot including info about the real players who were the basis for the characters in the movie, as well as the actors who portrayed them.

Jonathon Jackson also gives a compelling portrait of Johnstown, PA where the film was shot, and ends with a "where are they now" section about the actors, players, and filmmakers who brought us this classic movie.

Fascinating and scrupulously accurate history of the making of a cult classic, November 3, 2010
As the Hollywood producer who found, developed, and sold the script and ultimately produced the movie SLAP SHOT, I have to congratulate Jackson for having done an incredible job depicting in fascinating detail everything relevant to the making of what has turned out to be a classic cult movie. This book is scrupulously well researched, and (unlike many books about Hollywood) scrupulously fair and accurate as well--and wonderfully written. Everyone associated with the film is in Jackson's debt, and I could not recommend the book more highly to any fan of the movie and or the game!

Hockey Lovers, and film buffs too, October 14, 2010
I had the pleasure of reading this book on a long flight and I simply couldn't put it down. As a die-hard hockey fan, and someone who has seen the movie probably fifty times, I was absolutely fascinated by the background behind the making of the movie. It was particularly poignant given Paul Newman's recent passing.

There's no question that it is a "must-read" for hockey fans, but I dare say that fans of film-making, and of Paul Newman in particular, are in for a real treat.

Fantastic Book!, December 5, 2010
Wow. What a fantastic book. Not only does the author go into great detail about the making of the movie, he also gets very involved in the back-stories of the Johnstown Jets and all the real characters and situations of the movie.

I picked this up expecting a basic book that didn't get into too much detail, but what I ended up reading was a fantastic retrospective on not only the making of the movie, but fantastic backgrounds on all the stories that led to the movie.

I really appreciated the detail given on the city of Johnstown as well as the background stories of minor league hockey during the time. It was even cooler seeing my mom and dad quoted a few times!

This is a great book to pick up not only for fans of Slap Shot, but also hockey fans who never seen the movie (do those people even exist?)

I had a hard time putting this book down - I'm glad I bought it!

Hockey Hit, December 23, 2010
We were entertained by the movies and now by the book...the background stories are hilarious and make us realize even more what a small world the hockey world is. Also a good read for hockey fans who liked Bruce Boudreau's "Gabby".

Lots of interesting minutia for true fans of this film. But WHERE ARE THE PICTURES?, November 10, 2010
I enjoyed the book but it has a glaring gap - there is not one single picture.

As a result, unless you know every single character in the film (and can picture them in your minds eye) it is quite annoying.

... Read more

Editorial Review

Steeped in a tradition that spans three centuries, the Stanley Cup is the most storied trophy in all of professional sports. To raise it means you've won it, and to win it means you've survived an epic journey fraught with untold difficulties. Ross Bernstein, the best-selling author of more than 40 sports books, including The Code and Slap Shot Original, interviewed more than 100 current and former NHL players and coaches who have had privilege of raising Lord Stanley's holy grail above their heads after winning hockey's ultimate prize. ... Read more

Reviews

About the book, from its author: Ross Bernstein, November 3, 2010
To raise the Stanley Cup means that you have reached the pinnacle of professional hockey success; it means you are a champion -- the best of the best. Each player's epic journey to get to that sacred place has a unique and meaningful story behind it, however, and those stories are at the very core of "Raising Stanley." For more than two years Ross Bernstein researched, met and interviewed more than 100 players and coaches who all share one common denominator -- they had the distinct privilege of hoisting Lord Stanley's holy grail. You see, to raise it means you have won it. Hockey players are extremely respectful as well as superstitious when it comes to the Cup. In fact, no player will ever even touch it unless he has won it. So, when he actually gets to raise it above his head for the first time, it is undoubtedly one of the proudest and most profound moments of his life. Some stories will make you laugh out loud; like the one about Shjon Podein, who was so excited about winning the Cup in 2001 with the Colorado Avalanche that he refused to take off his equipment for the next 24 hours. That's right. Wanting the moment to last forever, he kept his entire uniform on -- skates and all -- and partied like a rock star all night long throughout the streets of Denver. Some will make you cringe; like the one about Mike Modano, who, despite suffering from incredible pain, insisted upon getting his busted hand shot up with novocaine between each period of every playoff game because he didn't want to let his teammates down during Dallas' 1999 Stanley Cup run. Some will bring tears to your eyes; like the one about Phil Esposito, who talked about how tough it was for him to slip his 1970 Boston Bruins championship ring off his dad's finger at his funeral just before they had to close his casket. And some will inspire you; like the one about Brendan Shanahan, who took the Cup to his father's grave site the morning after leading his Detroit Red Wings to the title in 1997 so he could personally thank him for all the sacrifices he had made for him over the years -- from 5AM practices to getting a second job -- just so he could live out his childhood dream. You will read not only about what it meant for the players to raise the Cup, but also about the deeper significance of how that achievement has effected or changed their lives. The raw emotion and personal stories of determination, courage and perseverance are woven into life lessons and practical business takeaways that can be taken back to the office and put to use immediately. The playoff beards, the dramatic game-sevens, the closed-door captain's practices, the coaching wisdom, the bench-clearing brawls, the crazy superstitions, the "playoff make-up" (the cuts, stitches and bruises on their faces), and of course their "Day with the Cup" -- it all comes to life in the ensuing pages. Inspirational, poignant and hilarious stories on the quest to claim hockey's ultimate prize, that's what this is all about. (A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book proudly benefits the Herb Brooks Foundation, of which Ross Bernstein serves as the President of the Board of Directors.)

"For me, winning the Stanley Cup was the most important thing I accomplished in my career. It was a long journey getting there too, 14 years to be exact before we finally won it. I went through a lot of tough seasons in Detroit before we were able to eventually get it right. So, to look back now at what it means, I would have to say that it has clearly defined my career. The Cup is so special because it's so hard to win. That two months of playoff hockey after already going through six months of the regular season really wears on you. So, when you are the last team standing at the end, that means you've survived and that you're the champion. I'm just extremely proud to have played my entire career in Detroit and that I was able to be a part of bringing three Stanley Cups to that great city."
-- Steve Yzerman, Stanley Cup Winner with Detroit 1997, 1998, 2002

"I have been fortunate to have won six Stanley Cups as a player but winning that first one in 1980 was the most memorable. It can only happen once and for me that was my first championship. I remember the exact moment like it was yesterday. I was on the bench between shifts and I saw Lorne Henning pass to John Tonelli who in turn passed to Bobby Nystrom, who shot it past Philadelphia goalie Pete Peeters for the overtime game-winner. It was the greatest moment of my hockey career, without a doubt. When that red light went off I was officially a Stanley Cup champion."
"You know, I will never forget being an eight year kid up in Saskatchewan and watching Jean Beliveau raise the Cup over his head on "Hockey Night in Canada." I knew right then and there that I wanted to do that one day. So, to finally touch it was beyond words to me. To finally be able to grab onto it and hoist it over your head and kiss it, wow, what a special moment. It was so heavy, yet light as a feather. You just feel validated, like you have earned it. I remember winning the Rookie of the Year award in 1976 and when I went to get my trophy some reporters asked me to stand by the Stanley Cup to have my picture taken with it. I said hell no, I wasn't going near that thing. I knew that you didn't dare touch it unless you've earned the right to do so. Well, four years later I earned it.
"Later, when we got back to the locker room, I remember rubbing my fingers across all the engraved names on it and imagining where mine would go. Then, to drink champagne out of that beautiful silver cup, it had never tasted so sweet. What a moment. I just wanted to remember everything about it. I didn't want it to end. I would look up and study the faces in the crowd, focusing on them. My senses were so heightened, what I was seeing and hearing and smelling. I remember every moment from that day, minute by minute, it's just engrained in my head. It's so vivid. Hard to believe that was 30 years ago. Wow.
"Then, to go back to back the following year, and then make it three in a row the next, followed by the fourth straight to solidify us as a dynasty -- what an amazing run that was. We were the kings of hockey back in the early `80s, no question about it. Once you won one, and got that taste of victory, then it just made you hungry for more. That was what drove us, that feeling of being the best, to be champions."
-- Bryan Trottier, Stanley Cup Winner with Islanders 1980-83; Pittsburgh 1991-92; Colorado 2001 (Assistant Coach)

"The Stanley Cup is the ultimate punch line to the story, and the story is what makes the punch line work. The story is of that particular season and of all the hard work, preparation and sacrifice that went into that season. The Stanley Cup is the culmination of your goals that you set out in quest of many months before. So, in the quest for anything that is hard, you have to be willing to hope it -- which is so hard because chances are it won't turn out -- and that can be extremely painful. You also have to have your teammates hope for it just as hard. You have to go through moments where it doesn't seem remotely possible and nothing seems to be working, and then fight your way back. So no matter how good your team is, you have all of those things going on over the course of a season. And if that weren't enough, you are also carrying everybody else's hopes as well, including the fans. In our case it was the fans in not only Montreal, but also the entire province of Quebec. You hope big and you hope hard and you make yourself completely vulnerable in the process. You can't emotionally prepare yourself for the possibility of it not turning out the way you hope. I mean if it doesn't go your way you've got nothing there to protect you from that disappointment. So you work and you work and then it finally happens, and everything comes together and you are the champions."
"I love the moment of the celebration right after winning. Then, about a half hour later, when you are in the locker room, you go into a sort of deep mellow where you know it's done. It's over. You set out on a path and you had no way of knowing that you could get there, but you got there and you won. That is the moment that was the most gratifying for me. That was real satisfaction, to look around at your teammates and to realize that you were the champions that season. You sit and you reflect, and it feels very good. Very good. It's a quiet internal smile and it's wonderful. It's freedom. Then, you get to enjoy it that next week with the parades and the parties. Best of all though, you get to enjoy it that entire Summer. You see that scoreboard in your mind with the final score on it and you remember how good that felt. Then, when someone comes up to you and has something to say about a certain goal you blew back in December or a game you lost in February, it's as if you can just point to that scoreboard and all is forgotten. You just carry that around with you until September, when you have to work towards earning another scoreboard. It's that incredible freedom that you rarely feel about anything in life. It's amazing."
-- Ken Dryden, Stanley Cup Winner with Montreal: 1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978 & 1979 ... Read more

Editorial Review

You thought you'd read them all, did you? Well, you haven't.

Simultaneously loved and loathed, Don Cherry is one of the most talkative and talked-about personalities in hockey today. His more than twenty-five years as a player and coach have informed his popular Hockey Night in Canada commentary segment, "Coach's Corner." And now he's got more stories to share.

In Don Cherry's Hockey Stories, Part 2, Grapes tells us about the 2010 Stanley Cup, relays the lessons he's learned both on and off the ice, and takes us inside hockey's mythical players' "code." You'll encounter familiar names from the game and find out who this idol looks up to. You'll travel back in time to Cherry's days playing in the minor leagues. You'll share his experiences of being named Coach of the Year in the NHL and in the AHL. And you'll hear from his kids about what it was like growing up with a dad like Don..

Don Cherry tells it like it is, for better or for worse. You won't be disappointed.

P.S. Don wants you to know it's a book the whole family can enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews

Don Cherrys Hockey stories part 2, December 7, 2010
read the first book and loved it, had to get part 2 because it will probably be as good if not better. Love Don Cherry and his humor. Diana ... Read more

Editorial Review

Blood, guts, and glory-veteran players reveal the NFL you never see on TV

Behind every glittering NFL game on television is a world of happy pain for a hundred men. NFL Unplugged lets you see that world through the eyes of the pros who live and sweat in it. Here are the places the cameras don't go: the locker room where coaches' speeches can deflate or motivate, the huddle where fart jokes vie with playcalling, the training camp where locusts and heat conspire to break the strongest bodies and shake the most determined minds. Now you can experience it all up close and unplugged.

• Draws on firsthand accounts of more than thirty players and coaches from teams across the NFL, including Mark Schlereth, Bill Romanowski, Kevin Long, Kyle Turley, John Gruden, Hugh Douglas, Jon Runyan, and Michael Strahan
• An unvarnished look at everything from training camp and broken dreams, conditioning and injuries, and camaraderie and hazing to the quest to gain a competitive edge and the exhilarating triumphs of the game
• Written by one of the top figures in sports radio, Anthony Gargano of Philadelphia's 610-WIP

From the injuries that never heal and the money that never lasts to the memories and the glory that never fade, NFL Unplugged shows the unbridled brutality and sheer brilliance of the game. ... Read more

Reviews

Entertaining and enjoyable, August 6, 2010

Fun, but kind of disappointing., November 12, 2010
NFL Unplugged was a fun read, however by the end I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. I'm a football fan from way back, so I have grown up loving the game and have been known to indulge in quite a bit of football hyperbole myself. I was just surprised that there was so much in this book. The writing often comes across as disjointed and a lot of stuff seems to be repeated. I wish the author would have used a wider base of players and teams instead of focusing so much on the Philadelphia Eagles. I did appreciate his emphasis on the "grunts" or no name players. I felt his section on training camp was the best part of the book. I never fully understood the whole practice squad system and since my own beloved hometown team is now taking half of its roster from the practice squad, it was nice to learn how that worked.

Other than the training camp section, I didn't really learn anything new, so if you are looking for gossip filled insights,or scandalous exposes this is not the book for you. It is at times a nice testament to the hard work some of these players put in and a timely reminder (with the strike threat looming) that these guys work on more than just Sundays. This was a good tasty snack for any football fan, just not the steak dinner I was expecting.

The Celebration of Violence and Brutality in the National Football League., November 7, 2010

An insider's look at the NFL., October 1, 2010

Gritty, guts, glory, September 7, 2010

Good Look Behind The Curtain, August 27, 2010

Interesting inside view, August 24, 2010

Brutal and honest, a great behind the scenes look!, August 21, 2010

The inside story isn't always pretty, August 20, 2010

A Firm Grasp of the Obvious, October 28, 2010
OK. I get it. Football is a tough, cutthroat sport. People get injured. Careers are short. If any of this is a surprise to you, buy the book. If you want to have those truths reiterated for 200-something pages, buy the book. Boring and not at all enlightening. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Winter recreation in the backcountry has increased steadily over the years and so has the number of deaths and injuries caused by avalanches. As search and rescue teams are increasingly strapped for funding, self-education has become a larger necessity for snow-sport enthusiasts. The new edition of Bruce Tremper's seminal book is organized according to the structure of American Avalanche Association classes and all chapters have been updated and reviewed by peer experts. ... Read more

Reviews

The best of my avalanche books, May 30, 2005
I own 6 of the most popular books on avalanche safety; this is by far the best. The core information needed to assess avalanche risk is given in some detail but the explanations are presented in "everyday" terms and are quite easy to understand. None-the-less,Tremper never talks down to his readers and the full level of complexity inherent in the subject matter is maintained. This is simply a very well written book by an author who appearantly is able to write well naturally. He would probably do very well writing about any subject.

Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, February 10, 2002
Bruce Tremper has written the book compiling modern information about avalanche dragons & staying safe in their lair. From the first hand narrative of Bruce's introduction to the power of avalanches to the avalanche actuarial table illustrating the necessity of making good decisions to detailed specific information for backcountry travellers trying to stay safe on skis, snowboards & snowmobiles Bruce shares the knowledge gained from his 25yrs of professional avalanche experience. Full of firsthand wisdom, gentle humor, terrific illustrations & photographs this is a very readable text on what often is a very dry subject. Everyone who knows Bruce's Utah avalanche forecasts will have an idea of what to expect. Everyone else can look forward to enjoying a common-sense easy to understand book written with passion & humor on state of the art avalanche safety for backcountry travellers. If you travel in avalanche terrain you want to read this book.

Tremper Finds Avalanche "Sweet Spot", December 16, 2001
In Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, Tremper has found the "sweet spot" in modern avalanche education. With the changing demographics of winter backcountry users, it is becoming increasingly difficult to satisfy everyone all of the time. Tremper pulls it off with a writing style and progressive approach that is easily digested by novices, yet technically insightful for snow safety veterans. The book is also unique in its "cross-cultural" approach to snow safety, addressing the subject from the perspective of not just skiers, but snowmobilers and snowboarders. This comprehensive, yet entertaining book will become core reading material for students of snow safety for years to come.

The best I've read, January 8, 2004
This is an excellent, highly enjoyable introductory book to avalanche safety. Tremper nicely balances technical detail with readability far better than any avy book I've seen. With its copious figures and pictures, it's almost impossible to get bogged down in the middle chapters and abandon the effort. Additionally, his chapter discussing the influence of human nature on avalanche accidents is unique and highly insightful. This is a wonderful first book that will inspire many readers to pursue further avalanche training, and hopefully save lives.

A great intro to avalanche safety!, February 3, 2005
This book is comprehensive and very thorough. Even though it's the first book I've read on avalanche safety and do not have much experience in winter mountain travel I found this book very easy to read and comprehend. Some parts are repetitive and I wish I could skip them but I'm afraid I might miss an important point. The last chapter on human mentality is very insightful and perhaps it sets this book apart from others.

Excellent reading - excellent value, May 21, 2006
The books is written in a easy to follow style,no-nonsense,and contains both academical info about avalanches and practical , hot tips. A lot of valuable information is packed up in this book. The book is also copiously illustrated with both photos and graphical drawings to reinforce the knowledge contained in the text.
All in all, it's a book that everybody which deals in mountain sports , or professionaly work in avalanche exposed terrains should read this book.

Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain., March 14, 2006
The Best Avalanche book I have ever read. I would recommend to pros and novices alike.

A Must Read for anyone who loves winter outdoor activities, January 8, 2003
Trempers concise writing takes complex concepts and explains them in very clear terms bringing the subject of the book to life. Avalanches kill so many people because most people know so little about them. Tremper does a wonderful job of educating readers as to the importance of avalanche safety while keeping the readers, not only interested, but entertained and excited to learn more ... Read more

Editorial Review

In August 1914, days before the outbreak of the First World War, the renowned explorer Ernest Shackleton and a crew of twenty-seven set sail for the South Atlantic in pursuit of the last unclaimed prize in the history of exploration: the first crossing on foot of the Antarctic continent. Weaving a treacherous path through the freezing Weddell Sea, they had come within eighty-five miles of their destination when their ship, Endurance, was trapped fast in the ice pack. Soon the ship was crushed like matchwood, leaving the crew stranded on the floes. Their ordeal would last for twenty months, and they would make two near-fatal attempts to escape by open boat before their final rescue.

Drawing upon previously unavailable sources, Caroline Alexander gives us a riveting account of Shackleton's expedition--one of history's greatest epics of survival. And she presents the astonishing work of Frank Hurley, the Australian photographer whose visual record of the adventure has never before been published comprehensively. Together, text and image re-create the terrible beauty of Antarctica, the awful destruction of the ship, and the crew's heroic daily struggle to stay alive, a miracle achieved largely through Shackleton's inspiring leadership.

The survival of Hurley's remarkable images is scarcely less miraculous: The original glass plate negatives, from which most of the book's illustrations are superbly reproduced, were stored in hermetically sealed cannisters that survived months on the ice floes, a week in an open boat on the polar seas, and several more months buried in the snows of a rocky outcrop called Elephant Island. Finally Hurley was forced to abandon his professional equipment; he captured some of the most unforgettable images of the struggle with a pocket camera and three rolls of Kodak film.

Published in conjunction with the American Museum of Natural History's landmark exhibition on Shackleton's journey, The Endurance thrillingly recounts one of the last great adventures in the Heroic Age of exploration--perhaps the greatest of them all. ... Read more

Reviews

A Gripping and Beautiful Tale of Leadership, February 12, 2000
This is a truly gripping and beautiful book. The story of the voyage and survival of the Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914 expedition to traverse the Antarctic continent on foot, is truly awe-inspiring. The photographs of Frank Hurley, the expedition's photographer, are sublime and powerful. I can't recapture the magnitude or beauty of the book in a few words, but two things struck me as particularly moving. At one point, Shackleton and five men sailed 800 miles in a 22-foot boat through the tempestuous South Atlantic Ocean to reach help. I doubt that even Alexander's account of the voyage does justice to the courage, skill and fortitude exhibited by these men.

Two comments put this one piece of the survival struggle into perspective. Alexander comments, "They would later learn that a 500-ton steamer had foundered with all hands in the same hurricane they had just weathered." And upon reaching civilization for the first time, the captain of the Endurance, Frank Worsley records the reaction of some of the hardiest seamen in the world:

Three or four white-haired veterans of the sea came forward. One spoke in Norse, and the Manager translated. He said he had been at sea over 40 years; that he knew this stormy Southern Ocean intimately, from South Georgia to Cape Horn, from Elephant Island to the South Orkneys, and that never had he heard of such a wonderful feat of daring seamanship as bringing the 22-foot open boat from Elephant Island to South Georgia.... All the seamen present then came forward and solemnly shook hands with us in turn. Coming from brother seamen, men of our own cloth and members of a great seafaring race like the Norwegians, this was a wonderful tribute. (The Endurance, pages 166-167).

The second thing I found so moving about Alexander's account was the skillful and authentic way she weaves Hurley's unbelievably stark and beautiful photographs into the fabric of this story. Most moving of all, though, is the absence of photographs during the voyage described above. Shackleton, who lived and led for his men, left them to bring help, and it is somehow fitting that we have the same sense of solitude and lack the tangibility of a photograph to reassure us about the well-being of the 22 men left behind.

Shackleton ("the Boss") to his men, was a true leader. In her conclusion, Alexander writes of him, "He would be remembered not so much for his own accomplishment -- the 1909 expedition that attained the farthest South -- as for what he was capable of drawing out of others." She goes on to quote Worsley:

Shackleton's popularity among those he led was due to the fact that he was not the sort of man who could do only big and spectacular things. When occasion demanded he would attend personally to the smallest details.... Sometimes it would appear to the thoughtless that his care amounted almost to fussiness, and it was only afterwards that we understood the supreme importance of his ceaseless watchfulness. (The Endurance, pages 193-194).

Alexander goes on to say, "Behind every calculated word and gesture lay the single-minded determination to do what was best for his men. At the core of Shackleton's gift for leadership in crisis was...the fact that he elicited from his men strength and endurance they had never imagined they possessed; he ennobled them."

I think the most interesting passages with respect to his leadership are those that deal with the obvious INCREASED strain that Shackleton experienced after HE was safe but 22 of his men remained stranded on Elephant Island, even after 2 attempts to reach them. Again, Worsley's insight is revealing: "The wear and tear of this period was dreadful. To Shackleton it was little less than maddening. Lines scored themselves on his face more deeply day by day; his thick, dark, wavy hair was becoming silver. He had not had a grey hair when we started out to rescue our men the first time. Now on the third journey, he was grey-haired."

When Shackleton finally reached Elephant Island and realized that all his men had survived, Worsley writes, "He put his glasses back in their case and turned to me, his face showing more emotion than I had ever known it show before...we were all unable to speak. It sounds trite, but years literally seemed to drop from him as he stood before us."

In my estimation, this is the true quality of a leader: he leads his people, but more than anything, he leads FOR his people.

Could have been better, August 30, 1999
The story of Shakleton's Endurance expedition is my all-time favorite, having discovered it after I found out that my ancestor was one of the heros (Tom Crean). This book's highlights were the extra unpublished photographs and the details of the lives of the survivors after they made it back to civilisation. However this books fault (and a major one) is that it details the time on the Endurance and on the ice floes at the expense of the stories about the two boat journeys and the crossing of South Georgia. The crossings of Drake passage and South Georgia are almost rushed through (I can't even remember Drakes Passage even being mentioned). All the drama of the voyage of the James Caird, probably the greatest boat voyage ever undertaked, and the brilliance of Worsley's navigation are completely lost in the authors effort to tell us about the lives of the men on Elephant Island, especially Hurley of whom she is particularly fond. Frank Worsley's 'Shackleton's Boat Voyage' conveys all the drama and excitement of the voyage of the James Caird in vivid detail, while Alfred Lansings' 'Endurance' is without a doubt the best book written on the subject, a book I couldn't put down for a second, and I knew how it ended.

THE BEST BOOK!! YOU MUST READ IT!!, October 14, 1999
The Endurance by Caroline Alexander is a non fiction book about an explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew as they try to become the first explorers to cross Antarctica on foot. Sir Ernest Shackleton was one of the most known polar explorers of his day. Shackleton and his crew of 27 set out to sea on his boat Endurance on August 8th, 1914. The 28 men went down to Buenos Aries, Argentina then they continued to their last stop South Georgia Island which is in the southern Atlantic before they went to the pack ice and beyond. Once they got the ship into the pack ice they followed the cracks between each floe (leads) to try to get to the main land of Antarctica. Do they ever get home to England? Do they all even survive such a journey? This book was a heart racing kind of book. If you previously were not interested in history books The Endurance might change your opinion. I was impressed by how these men risked their lives freezing to death just to obtain their personal goals. The adventure of when they have to abandon ship will leave you hanging from your seat. The way Caroline Alexander wrote the book was engulfing . Her detail was thorough and she must have put many months of research on their journey. She also used clips from journals telling in the sailor's words what was happening and what was going on in their minds. I have read a few books about sailing the sea and The Endurance was the best one because of the way in which it was written. The photographer Frank Hurley took unbelievable shots of the whole expedition. The types of photos that were taken included, black & white stills, movies and color slides. The photographs look like they were taken recently by a digital camera instead of a Kodak in the early 1900's. Technically the pictures are crisp and clear for surviving the 22-month journey. This is a book that should be in every school library and all public libraries so everyone can experience The Endurance.

Better than Lansing, October 26, 2000
After reading this book, I bought and read the "classic" by Alfred Lansing and while it was a very good read, I believe Alexander's book to be the better one. She includes details about the crew and Shackleton and about their post-voyage lives that makes the story much more personal. In addition, she includes details of the journey which were left out of Lansing's book which left me with the impression that Lansing was "protecting" Shackleton against possible negative or critical comments--an entirely unnecessary thing to do given his incredible leadership of this voyage. For example, Lansing's book does not talk about the mental breakdown of several of the men after the boat trip to Elephant Isle nor about McNish's resentment of Shackleton for having to kill Mrs. Chippy. Nor does he mention Shackleton's and the other crew member's claims to have felt a "fourth presence" with them on the last climb over the mountains of S. Georgia. These details, together with the incredible photography included in Alexander's book, make her book the more complete and equally exciting rendition of this incredible voyage.

You've read the book, now go see the exhibition!, July 9, 2000
Caroline Alexander, author of this extraordinary book filled with breathtaking photographs, is guest curator of the traveling museum exhibition "The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition." As unforgettable as the book is, the exhibition is even more spectacular! The greatly enlarged copies of the photographs, combined with artifacts, diaries, a reproduction of the James Caird lifeboat (frighteningly small) , and personal memorabilia contributed by the families of these explorers make Shackleton's voyage tangible, very much more than something in a book, even one as good as this one.

For those interested in seeing the exhibition, it is at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA from June 23 - Sept. 10, 2000. It will be at the Field Museum in Chicago from October 7 - Jan. 14, 2001. It will be at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences from Feb. 10 - May 6, 2001, and it will be at the Burke Museum at the University of Washington (in Seattle) from June 7 - Dec. 31, 2001.

Oustanding photographs, May 16, 1999
The story of Shakleton's trip to the antarctic is another truly amazing story of survival and recounts one of the last "heroic" adventures of exploring our globe. The event at its time was overshadowed by WW I, but for nearly two years Shakelton and his crew remained either ice bound or adrift on ice flows until landing on uninhabited Elephant Island. From there Shakleton and a small crew crossed the south Atlantic in an open boat in terrifying conditions, made an improbable land fall and were able to effect rescue of the entire crew without a single fatality. In todays world of synthetic fleece, goretex, lihtweight, waterproof thermally efficient gear it is nearly incomprehensible to imagine being cold and wet for two years in antarctic conditions, and surviving. This is a great story of human forbearance, patience, endurance and faith. The writing is a bit flat and at times it seems drudgery to get through, but the story is compelling. The writing is based on diaries and other accounts are heavily utilized. It is the great photography of voyage photographer Frank Hurley that makes this book rank 4 stars by our book club. Readers in our group also read Lansing's account and felt it to be a superior writing of the ill-fated voyage.

Read Alfred Lansing's Book, August 15, 2005
Several days after purchasing Caroline Alexander's, "The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition" from Amazon.com, I read a few customer reviews that recommended Alfred Lansing's 1959 classic: "Endurance: Shakelton's Incredible Journey." These reviews extolled Lansing's book, and pointed-out how Alexander's was essentially a rewrite of this earlier work. Consequently, I also purchased his book, and thoroughly enjoyed reading the two of them while on vacation a few weeks ago. (I had already begun Alexander's book -- so, completed it before beginning Lansing's.)

Alexander's book has one (and only one) distinct and obvious advantage over Lansing's -- the inclusion of scores of the original expedition photographs taken by Frank Hurley (the ship's photographer). These photos are incredible and make Alexander's book indispensable to anyone interested in Shakelton's Endurance expedition.

That said -- here's why I gave her book only ONE STAR. In the Acknowledgements" section of her book, Alexander makes only a one sentence reference to Lansing's earlier work -- something to the effect of, "An exciting sea adventure." (although more elaborately stated).

Yet, Lansing's "Endurance: Shakelton's Incredible Journey" is a far better account of the Endurance expedition than is Alexander's -- better written, longer (maybe 50% more narrative), far more detailed in its entirety, much more interesting and exciting to read, PLUS: IT WAS FIRST..!!

It surprises me that Alexander paid no real tribute to Lansing's earlier work -- which in many respects seems to have been simply reworded by Alexander. There are, for certain, some substantive differences between the two books (owing the the large amount of source materials, including crew diaries) -- but, on the whole, these are not of real significance; and on balance, Lansing's book tells the entire story much better than Alexander's and is a much more exciting read.

So, buy them both -- Alexander's for the photographs and supplemental information and Lansing's for the tremendous narrative and historical significance. But please Caroline: Give credit where credit is due...

Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antartic Expedition, January 30, 2000
I first read this book, and then I read Alfred Lansing's "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage." I enjoyed the pictures in this book, but found Lansing's description of the journey more engaging. My recommendation is to read Lansing's book together with using the pictures and maps in this book to help visualize the writers' stories.

Your human spirit will live with this book, January 3, 1999
Caroline Alexander's book touches something deep within our human spirit; challenge, hope, survival and love of life. For those who love to challenge themselves by the outdoors with the hope of great rewards these experiences can bring, read this book to understand how these pursuits can also provide very real dangers, except in this book the dangers go beyond one's imagination - twenty-two months in wet, sub-freezing conditions on ice, frozen lands and the Antartic's violent oceans.

If you have read or enjoy reading books and adventures like Krakauer's "Into Thin Air," this book is a MUST read.

Frank Hurley's photographs are excellent. Frank Hurley's committment to taking these pictures is unbelievable when considering the environmental conditions of this part of the world.

My emotions rose and fell with the reading of "The Endurance." The book is a well-written tribute to the 28 men of the expedition. These men are adventurers and heroes beyond description. I was pleased with Ms. Alexander's afterword, which described what became of each of them after their rescue, this completed the story.

A good introduction to the Endurance epic, June 11, 2000
This is the book that really started the current round of "Shackleton-mania" and it is a good introduction to the story of the Endurance Expedition, well written, researched, and, of course, beautifully illustrated with the classic photography of Frank Hurley. But it's important to view it only as an introduction. Heacox' "Shackleton-The Antarctic Challenge" goes into more detail, and Shackleton's own books "South" and "Heart of the Antarctic" are also must-reads, while Lennard Bickel's "Shackleton's Forgotten Men" chronicles the little-known adventures of the Ross Sea party of the Endurance Expedition. So if this book leaves you wanting more, go on to those other titles. Alexander's book also suffers badly from not having an index. I still highly recommend it for its writing style and the wonderful reproductions of Hurley's photographs. ... Read more

Reviews

Must for Flyers Fans, November 24, 2010
I heard about this book from a friend on Facebook. It did not disappoint. I knew already most of the Flyers history as I have been a season ticket holder since 1980, but the book was a wonderful stroll down memory lane. It is easy reading as each topic is 1-2 pages long. It includes many photos and quotes from former players. ... Read more

Editorial Review

#1 National Bestseller

Don Cherry has been named a National Hockey League Coach of the Year with a winning percentage of over .600 and also received Coach of the Year honours in the American Hockey League.His comments on Hockey Night in Canada’s "Coach's Corner" routinely make headlines as they entertain, educate, and often upset some fans throughout North America. He may be controversial, but no one can deny the popularity he enjoys; popularity that was reflected in his top 10 ranking in the competition to determine "The Greatest Canadian."

Now from Grapes himself comes the book that hockey fans of all ages have been waiting for. Written with veteran sports journalist Al Strachan, here are Don Cherry's favourite stories from his career in hockey. And you can imagine the stories he has to tell.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews

Like reading Coach's Corner, January 5, 2009
What I loved best about this book is that Don Cherry's "voice" shines through on every page. Reading the book felt just like listening to Don on Coach's Corner - outspoken, opinionated, and passionate. Cherry writes what it was like playing in the minors, shares stories of players past and current, as well as personal anecdotes of Hockey Night in Canada and the most famous hockey dog, his Blue. He isn't afraid to call out individuals by name for their behavior and admits some of his own mistakes as well. Love him or hate him, there's two things that can't be argued after reading this book - 1) Don is a proud Canadian who understands and appreciates his heritage and 2) Don Cherry loves the game of hockey. His love of the game comes through on every page.

A classic Canadian at his best, January 4, 2009
Love him or hate him, Don Cherry has been one of the most notable people in the NHL who isn't afraid to say it like it is. I remember him when he coached the Bruins and now on Hockey Night in Canada, he's just as opinionated. I don't mind someone who gives his/her opinion as long as they have the experience to back it up. Don Cherry is that man. He not only has the brains, but better yet, he is one of the strongest hearted people in the NHL today. Great book by a great man.

A fun and quick read, September 23, 2010
Not much to say about this one, it's basically Don Cherry telling hockey stories. His personality comes through very well, he's frank and honest as always, and it's entertaining. A quick and lighthearted read, probably more of a rental or used purchase though. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Year of the Blackhawks, August 25, 2010
It's a great book to remember each and every player on the roster in the year the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. As indicated, each player gets a page of information and statistics as well as a full page color photo. In addition, the season, particularly the playoffs, are described in great detail with appropriate photos.

Color photos of amazing Blackhawk moves on the ice accompany documentation of their many achievements, December 17, 2010
Year of the Blackhawks: Celebrating Chicago's 2009-10 Stanley Cup Championship Season is a 'must' for any collection interested in the Blackhawks team and their evolution. The coverage went to print immediately following their Game 6 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and is jointly published by Fenn Publishing and the National Hockey League. Color photos of amazing Blackhawk moves on the ice accompany documentation of their many achievements.

Great gift for a Hawks lover, August 9, 2010
I bought this for my husband's birthday right after they won the Stanley Cup. Since my husband is a devoted Blackhawks fan and hockey player, it was the ideal gift and he just loved it. ... Read more

Editorial Review

DIY goes outdoors, giving winter enthusiasts more than 25 new ways to play in the snow!

Calling all snow lovers—young and old alike! When you’re surrounded by the white stuff, it’s time for Snow Play!

With crazy creatures to build, challenging games to play, and outrageous spaces to sculpt, author Birgitta Ralston, a Europe-based designer, has imagined the most creative ways to play in the snow. From a looming Loch Ness monster to a slippery Ice Slide, from a Snowball Lantern to brighten a yard to Curious Footprints to mark freshly fallen snow, the book includes 25 projects and games to draw you outdoors on a snow-filled day. Celebrate a winter birthday by building a giant Frosted Cake (and use food coloring to dye the snow!), or light your walkway with the flickering flames from a set of snowy Glow Cones.  You’ll find hours of entertainment to brighten even the coldest winter days and nights.

Snow Play is filled with projects and games for any age, ability, and number of people. Each entry includes complete step-by-step text instructions, plus explanatory line drawings. The full-color photographs show how each project is finished in all its frozen glory. ... Read more

Reviews

Can't wait till it snows now..., December 14, 2010
I bought this book with a 13 year old Granddaughter and her Father in mind. They are coming for Christmas and this is a year of new snow sleds, snow flingers, snowball makers, and this book. I especially look forward to the Magical Lights chapter that has night snow men with lit up eyes, I think these will be beautiful and a lot of frosty fun. ... Read more