Thank you! I'm never sure exactly how much overlap there is between my pro wrestling coverage and hockey.
HOH Book Feature (presented in association with the Society for International Hockey Research)
- Thread starter Theokritos
- Start date
Thank you! I'm never sure exactly how much overlap there is between my pro wrestling coverage and hockey.
Part of my goal with my SIHR book column is to be able to spotlight lesser known books, especially self-published ones. In my column that went up on November 21, I wrote about three:
https://sihrhockey.org/__a/public/column.cfm?cid=4&aid=591
- 300-1: (My 52-year Journey with St. Louis Hockey and a Championship for the Ages) by Mark Sophir
- Unforgettable NJ Devils: Games & Moments from the Press Box, Ice & Front Office by Matthew Blittner
- Ice and Thunder - A History of the Trent Valley Hockey League by Dave Barry and Stewart Richardson
https://sihrhockey.org/__a/public/column.cfm?cid=4&aid=591
ted2019
History of Hockey
In my column that went up on Nov. 27, I talked with Jim Lang about working with Bryan Berard on his book, Relentless. I enjoyed the book and it flew by as I read it.
https://sihrhockey.org/__a/public/column.cfm?cid=4&aid=593
https://sihrhockey.org/__a/public/column.cfm?cid=4&aid=593
With my column that went up on Dec. 8, 2019, I talk with Dr. Bill Sproule about his book detailing professional hockey in Houghton, Michigan, and I pay tribute to Tim Gassen, who was probably the world's leading authority on the World Hockey Association:
https://sihrhockey.org/__a/public/column.cfm?cid=4&aid=595
https://sihrhockey.org/__a/public/column.cfm?cid=4&aid=595
My column that went up on Dec. 15 focuses on Mark Spector's new book, Road to Gold: The Untold Story of Canada at the World Juniors: https://sihrhockey.org/__a/public/column.cfm?cid=4&aid=596
My SIHR book column that went up on Jan. 30, 2020, features the memoir by former WHA goalie and AHL exectuive Bruce Landon:
Goalie's memoir a beautiful tribute to late daughter
Goalie's memoir a beautiful tribute to late daughter
JMCx4
#HopeForHUTCH
S/T to @goliver845 for bringing my attention through his book review to Rhonda Leeman Taylor's OFFSIDE - A Memoir - Challenges Faced by Women in Hockey. The book was well-written, with a down-to-Earth style that makes it an enjoyable read. There were a handful of typographic & grammatical errors that popped up to interrupt the flow of the author's stories [why haven't modern word processing software plus attentive editing rid readers of these distractions?], but overall the memoir's pace was brisk while presenting poignant stories of Mrs. Leeman Taylor's involvement in & contributions to the development and growth of women's hockey across Canada. My favorite chapters of the book were her stories about organization of the first Women's National Hockey Tournament, and the chapter entitled "Cutting Out The Contact" which enlightened me on the multiple reasons why Canadian women's hockey adopted no-check rules.
I would recommend Offside to anyone curious to read about the history of women's hockey development, as told by someone who was in on the ground (or ice) level and made important contributions to the growth of that branch of the sport in Canada. The book presents a much different perspective of the relationships between the men's & women's hockey communities in Canada than most of the books & media stories that I've read over the years; and it thankfully diverges from the regularly angst-filled story-telling style of the similarly themed Elizabeth Etue & Megan Williams book On The Edge: Women Making Hockey History. Both books offer good stories of women making memories & contributions to hockey, but I found Rhonda's stories more interesting from the business side of the sport.
I would recommend Offside to anyone curious to read about the history of women's hockey development, as told by someone who was in on the ground (or ice) level and made important contributions to the growth of that branch of the sport in Canada. The book presents a much different perspective of the relationships between the men's & women's hockey communities in Canada than most of the books & media stories that I've read over the years; and it thankfully diverges from the regularly angst-filled story-telling style of the similarly themed Elizabeth Etue & Megan Williams book On The Edge: Women Making Hockey History. Both books offer good stories of women making memories & contributions to hockey, but I found Rhonda's stories more interesting from the business side of the sport.
Hey everyone,
I took a little break from my SIHR hockey book column ... enough time for them to pile up again. Upcoming interviews include Andre Lacroix, Greg Enright on his new Penguins book, and an amazing book on BeeHive hockey photos.
Here are a few that I didn't post on here
Power Play digs deep into Oilers arena debate
It's about the new arena in Edmonton, and is a little more academic than the usual hockey book, but if you are into politics and city building, it's pretty fascinating.
Finally, a Toe Blake biography
It was worth the wait, and with the cooperation of his family, it's a true look into the man, the player, and the coach ... and tavern owner.
Sticks and Stones readies you for college and hockey
This one interviews a bunch of hockey players about their time playing college hockey. I enjoyed the interviews, but there wasn't really a structure or reason why someone was interviewed, and someone else wasn't. For more recent fans, for sure.
Blittner's trilogy proves to be a learning opportunity
The author did books on the Rangers, Devils and Islanders, all teams he has covered.
Hope everyone is staying safe. Reading will help you get through things. Some publishers, like ECW Press (Toe Blake book), are offering the ebook now, and will ship you the physical copy when it is safe.
I took a little break from my SIHR hockey book column ... enough time for them to pile up again. Upcoming interviews include Andre Lacroix, Greg Enright on his new Penguins book, and an amazing book on BeeHive hockey photos.
Here are a few that I didn't post on here
Power Play digs deep into Oilers arena debate
It's about the new arena in Edmonton, and is a little more academic than the usual hockey book, but if you are into politics and city building, it's pretty fascinating.
Finally, a Toe Blake biography
It was worth the wait, and with the cooperation of his family, it's a true look into the man, the player, and the coach ... and tavern owner.
Sticks and Stones readies you for college and hockey
This one interviews a bunch of hockey players about their time playing college hockey. I enjoyed the interviews, but there wasn't really a structure or reason why someone was interviewed, and someone else wasn't. For more recent fans, for sure.
Blittner's trilogy proves to be a learning opportunity
The author did books on the Rangers, Devils and Islanders, all teams he has covered.
Hope everyone is staying safe. Reading will help you get through things. Some publishers, like ECW Press (Toe Blake book), are offering the ebook now, and will ship you the physical copy when it is safe.
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Here's my column on Andre Lacroix and his self-publish autobiography. I asked him specifically about his case to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame. What are your thoughts on it? Considering some of the names already in there, to me, he belongs 100%.
Memoir another accomplishment for overlooked Andre Lacroix
Memoir another accomplishment for overlooked Andre Lacroix
If anyone on here had ever heard of Jerry Hack, I'll eat my shorts. Still, his book details a part of hockey history, albeit on a much lower level than we are used to reading about. It's fun.
Unknown goalie delivers a winner
Unknown goalie delivers a winner
In the SIHR book column on May 23, 2020, I talk with Greg Enright about his book, The Pittsburgh Penguins: The First 25 Years, which came out in the spring of 2020 from McFarland Publishing:
Celebrating the Penguins’ first 25 years in print, on Twitter
Celebrating the Penguins’ first 25 years in print, on Twitter
JMCx4
#HopeForHUTCH
I just received my copy of Hockey Nobody from an anonymous Amazon delivery driver. I'm relying on your recommendation to boost my COVID-suppressed spirits, Greg. No pressure, mind you.
Ha. No pressure. You won't know most of the people he talks about, but you will laugh!
The Golden Years: Bee Hive Golden Corn Syrup Hockey Picture Promotion 1934-1968 is an expensive book, but quite beautiful and it covers a hockey collectible that doesn't always get a lot of mainstream love. Column went up on May 29, 2020:
Sweetly illustrated book celebrates Bee Hive photos, advertising
Sweetly illustrated book celebrates Bee Hive photos, advertising
My latest column, up on June 7, 2020, isn't really historical, but it is a lot of fun. Whereas last week's The Golden Years: Bee Hive Golden Corn Syrup Hockey Picture Promotion 1934-1968 would be great for grandfathers for Father's Day, this one would have suited Mother's Day, as I talk to Jody Anderson about Hockey Moms Aren't Crazy: ...Well, Maybe Just a Little Bit:
Hockey Moms book a Crazy success
Hockey Moms book a Crazy success
Theokritos
Global Moderator
- Apr 6, 2010
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The second installment of the book feature is finally online. We're featuring Greg Enright's recent publication The Pittsburgh Penguins: The First 25 Years.
It can be tough to go back to the well, to talk to the same authors again and again ... but if they keep writing hockey books, then I need to! Here's a third go-round with Howie Karpin and Mark Rosenman, talking about "You Never Forget Your First: A Collection of New York Rangers Firsts" --
This column can Never Forget Karpin and Rosenman
Note over the summer, my SIHR hockey book columns aren't as frequent, but I still have three books on hand to write about, and am expecting at least two more, so I'll post 'em when I get to 'em.
This column can Never Forget Karpin and Rosenman
Note over the summer, my SIHR hockey book columns aren't as frequent, but I still have three books on hand to write about, and am expecting at least two more, so I'll post 'em when I get to 'em.
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JMCx4
#HopeForHUTCH
I have not been as regular as I want to be with the SIHR hockey book columns -- real work has been interfering. But one went up today, July 20, 2020, about an English teacher who put together a three-book epic, spanning more than 1,000 pages.
English teacher finally hands in his three-book epic
English teacher finally hands in his three-book epic
In my latest Society for International Hockey Research hockey book column, I talk with Glenn Dreyfuss about his new book, The Legends of Landover: Long-Lost Stories of the Washington Capitals.
New Capitals book celebrates the tough times
New Capitals book celebrates the tough times
Doctor No
Registered User
Looking forward to this one - there's something about bad teams that are just endearing (it could be the lifelong Seattle sports fan in me).
Being a goalie guy, when I think of the frustrations of the early Capitals' squads, I think of Wayne Stephenson.
Being a goalie guy, when I think of the frustrations of the early Capitals' squads, I think of Wayne Stephenson.
Doctor No
Registered User
I can't imagine what it would be like to go from the powerhouse Flyers to the (functionally) expansion Capitals, but I assume that this photo conveys it.
My latest SIHR hockey book column, which went up Aug. 5, 2020, has me in conversation with Thomas J Whalen, who wrote Kooks and Degenerates on Ice: Bobby Orr, the Big Bad Bruins, and the Stanley Cup Championship That Transformed Hockey
Boston's Kooks and Degenerates in the context of history
Boston's Kooks and Degenerates in the context of history
