Books on the history of the Canadiens

[Marshy71]

Was lucky enough to receive a Habs jersey from my inlaws who went across to Canada for a holiday earlier this year. They don't know much about hockey as it isnt big here in New Zealand, so i was trying to explain a little about the history of the club to them... it got me thinking there must be some amazing books on both the club and the players who have represented the team out there. Just wondering if anyone can recommend any that they have read that are worth tracking down?

Thanks in advance.

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[Bring Bak Damphousse]

I seem to have a ton of Habs books, course I’m having trouble remembering any of them right now. But I’ll take a shot.

Canadiens captains: nine great montreal Canadiens

The Game by Ken Dryden

Fighting back: The Chris Nilan story

Jean Beliveau: My life in hockey

The Hockey Sweater

The hockey news: Habs heroes

 

[walsy37]

I also remember a book written in the 80s by Claude Mouton. Was pretty good.

Montreal Canadiens: An Illustrated... book by Claude Mouton

 

[HuGort]

I also remember a book written in the 80s by Claude Mouton. Was pretty good.

Montreal Canadiens: An Illustrated... book by Claude Mouton

This is probably the best one out there. But it is a bit outdated. Doug Gilmour in his book wrote a chapter on George Gillette era in Montreal. Was pretty good. Chris Nilan's book touched on some from the '80s. Terry Ryan's book is another decent read. For those interested in glory days Flower's book Overtime or Robinson's book For the Defense, was alright.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

The Game by Dryden is a classic.

Lions in Winter is a good one too.

 

[Lshap]

Perhaps the best sports book written in any sport is The Game, by Ken Dryden. It's about the state of hockey, but told through the lens of the Montreal Canadiens throughout the 1970s. Dryden's like an undercover agent, an intellectual spy among jocks, musing on the sport itself from his position as a Hall of Fame goalie for the Habs. You get a peek into his head from his start as a rookie, through the Canada/Russia series in 1972, and into every season of Montreal's incredible run that decade. The Habs locker is a study of personality types, coach Bowman is a style of leadership, and one of the NHL's all-time dynasties is an analysis of group dynamics and diminishing motivation. The book pauses to think, but the story moves forward through games and plenty of interactions with teammates.

Dick Irvin Jr., Montreal's classic broadcaster and son of the legendary Habs coach, also wrote a book, but I haven't read it.

 

[Bring Bak Damphousse]

Just got Jay Baruchels book “born into it” for xmas. Only 1 chapter in but so far sounds like a hf hab fan is writing it.

“We are hostages to our emotions, and holy f*** is this season going to be long as shit”.

About sums up my feelings alot of the time. Really good book so far.

 

[peate]

Lions in Winter would be my first choice for Team history. Mouton's book is great also, amazing photos.

Too many books on players to pick from, but Dryden's The Game is special.

 

[MXD]

The 100th anniversary book (Francais) is pretty much a must. Cant remember the name and I inexplicably lost it.

Lions in Winter.

The Game is right there amongst the best sports book written by players (along with the excellent Ball Four, from Jim Bouton)

 

[Le Barron de HF]

This is probably the best one out there. But it is a bit outdated. Doug Gilmour in his book wrote a chapter on George Gillette era in Montreal. Was pretty good. Chris Nilan's book touched on some from the '80s. Terry Ryan's book is another decent read. For those interested in glory days Flower's book Overtime or Robinson's book For the Defense, was alright.

I disagree about Ryan's book, maybe 1/10th of it is nice but the rest was a dread to read through, only book I haven't finished and don't plan on finishing reading. He talks way too much about irrelevant stuff that only his inner circle will find cool. Usually they put those in the acknowledgments at the start.

 

[HuGort]

I disagree about Ryan's book, maybe 1/10th of it is nice but the rest was a dread to read through, only book I haven't finished and don't plan on finishing reading. He talks way too much about irrelevant stuff that only his inner circle will find cool. Usually they put those in the acknowledgments at the start.

He goes in depth why he never made it. All the drinking, partying and abusing his body by over fighting. Not nice stuff but it happens in NHL

 

[Le Barron de HF]

He goes in depth why he never made it. All the drinking, partying and abusing his body by over fighting. Not nice stuff but it happens in NHL

You'll find that for free on articles from the player's tribune.

 

[HuGort]

You'll find that for free on articles from the player's tribune.

I don't know but you are not talking that much for his book.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory

https://www.amazon.com/Montreal-Canadiens-100-Years-Glory/dp/0385663250

Can't recommend this book enough, it is written by D'Arcy Jenish with an introduction by Bob Gainey. It is the last book my Dad has ever read lol

 

[sharks9]

The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory by D'Arcy Jenish is a good overview of Montreal's history up to the centennial season

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

The Montreal Canadiens: 100 Years of Glory by D'Arcy Jenish is a good overview of Montreal's history up to the centennial season

lol wow

 

[Adam Spylo]

The Habs by Brian McFarlane is a book I liked.

 

[peate]

Here's probably the most recent, by Pat Hickey of the Gazette.
https://www.amazon.com/These-Walls-...TJDHTWW9XA4&psc=1&refRID=QFJD85G4FTJDHTWW9XA4

 

[Whalers Fan]

I'll throw out another recommendation for The Game by Ken Dryden. It's a great read from one of my all time favorite Habs. Ken really does a great job describing the behind the scenes happenings from that great late 1970's dynasty that I grew up with.

 

[Chili]

Many great books listed above, I`ll add two :

The Montreal Forum Forever Proud: 1924-1996

Great book on the history of the Montréal Forum, many pictures and a list of all the events there over the years. And:

:

Jacques Plante, the man who changed goaltending. His story and a glimpse inside the Habs locker room during the late 1950`s dynasty.

My personal favorites are Jean Béliveau`s :My Life in Hockey, Lions in Winter, The Game and the Jacques Plante book.

Add: Two other books, have yet to read...

Dick Irvin broadcast Habs games for many years so the book includes his expériences as well as alot of info on his Dad, Dick Sr. who coached the Habs. Over 30 pages of pictures including his Dad`s career. Great picture of the 1915 Allan Cup winners on the motorcycles they were given for winning by the the city of Winnipeg.

A history of the Habs from the 1940`s to 1980`s.

 

[Chili]

Wasn't sure where to post this, Moderators move this if needed...

I found this old article on Mr Béliveau which was written by the legendary writer Trent Frayne in 1956, for me it was a great read (like his autobiography My Life in Hockey):

Trent Frayne on Jean Beliveau from 1956

 

[HuGort]

Roger Doucet died 42 years ago today. Can still remember going to Forum him bellowing out National Anthem. An icon in Montreal sport

 

[angusyoung]

I also remember a book written in the 80s by Claude Mouton. Was pretty good.

Montreal Canadiens: An Illustrated... book by Claude Mouton

I had this one,the same?

 

[Habsfan18]

I had this one,the same?

View attachment 730107

Yes, the “Illustrated History” book is an updated version of the book you have pictured.

Can’t believe I originally missed this thread.

I own 2,000 hockey books and that includes just about every single book that has ever been published on the Habs.

If anyone has any questions regarding anything to do with hockey books, I’d be glad to help.

I’ll likely write an in-depth post at some point in the near future in this very subject.

 

[angusyoung]

Roger Doucet died 42 years ago today. Can still remember going to Forum him bellowing out National Anthem. An icon in Montreal sport

He was a nice man,spoke with him briefly and got his autograph prior to a lacrosse game at the Forum.He had to go as I kept him and a few steps later was on the carpet and belted out the anthem,he actually did seem to be hastily walking when I encountered him,yet that's how nice he was that he could stop for a moment to sign for a young kid.

Yes, the “Illustrated History” book is an updated version of the book you have pictured.

Can’t believe I originally missed this thread.

I own 2,000 hockey books and that includes just about every single book that has ever been published on the Habs.

If anyone has any questions regarding anything to do with hockey books, I’d be glad to help.

I’ll likely write an in-depth post at some point in the near future in this very subject.

I just saw the dates,it's been dead for a while.