5 comments about Keenan: The High Times and Misadventures of Hockey's Most Controversial Coach.

1. Very interesting read with several heretofore unknown (to me) biographical information and anectdotes about one of the most successful and controversial figures in hockey's recent history. A good narrative of Keenan's highs and lows throughout his travels in the AHL and NHL coaching ranks.
   
   Being a Blackhawks fan during the era Keenan coached in Chicago, however, I noticed that several inaccurate details that appeared. For example, Gordon writes that during the 1988-89 season, goalies Darren Pang and Alain Chevrier were highly inconsistent, contributing to the team's awful first half. In fact, it was Pang along with rookies Jimmy Waite and Ed Belfour who were backstopping the Hawks to their first-half failures, and the teams resurgence in the second half of the season coincided with the acquisition of Alain Chevrier. Also, goalie Jacques Cloutier is noted at one point as being a "mid-season" acquisition; he was actually acquired just after training camp in 1989. These are just a couple of examples which do not reflect well on the author (or editor or proofreader) detailing basic facts.
   
   Also curious was the insinuation that defenseman Doug Wilson was some sort of softie who wasn't willing to make the "committment" to winning. Strange, as anyone who watched the Hawks during his career knows that the majority of the time when he was out of the lineup, the team struggled much more defensively, and I am not aware of any other of Wilson's coaches or teammates making any such assertations or insinuations.
   
   Overall, not a bad read at all, if you are willing to be tolerant or remain ignorant of the smaller stuff.



2. I became interested in rereading this book after Mike Keenan's recent appointment to the ailing Florida Panthers. His story reads like a greek tragedy in that his fanatical drive continually prevented him from seeing and learning from his mistakes. Players and management either loved him for his discipline, or hated him for his sadism, unpredictability, and indecorous behavior with the press. Jeff Gordon does a wonderful job of detailing Keenan's strides and missteps without skewering him with a pitchfork. This book is also well-written and as fair of an account of Mike Keenan as a readers are likely to find. I highly recommend it.



3. A definite Hat Trick!! Gordo knows what he's talking about.



4. Really enjoyed this book. Could not put it down once I started reading it. Found it to be very fair overall. Not a slam against Keenan at all. You learn a lot about Keenan as well as life in the NHL. Get this book!



5. If I were Gordon's editor, I would give new meaning to the phrase "healthy scratch".

No comments about Brendan Shanahan: The Power Forward (Sport Snaps) (Sport Snaps).

No comments about Star Power: The Legend and Lore of Cyclone Taylor (Recordbooks).

No comments about Young Guns: Meet the Future Stars of the NHL: Meet the Future Stars of the NHL.

1 comments about Wayne Gretzky: Star Center (Sports Reports).

1. Waynes World
   The book review of Frank Fortuanos "Wayne Gretzky: star center
   
   Frank Fortuanos "Wayne Gretzky star center is a marvelous book full of facts and career statistics of Wayne Gretzky. He tells a great story of his upbringing and even why he tucks his jersey in one side. But, the book does slow down. When he gets into a career it is repetitive to some degree. In each chapter he tells how many points he had in that season, and how hard he worked to win the Stanley cup. But it gives a great story of his life. I highly recommend it to anyone who is doing a report on him

2 comments about Gordie Howe: My Hockey Memories.

1. I read this book back in November of 1999. The co-author Frank Condron did an excellent job with Gordie Howe in putting this historical book together. On top of the simple fact that a picture is worth 1,000 words. The whole book is a Hockey Pictoral Treasure. Mr. Condron did an excellent job of writing this book. What I mean by that is. Simply because you don't feel your reading Gordies words. Its like Mr. Howe is right next to you and he is pointing at each picture as you turn every page. Also it is quite obvious after all the press, awards and fame, Gordie Howe is still a gentleman.



2. This work represents the finest photo collection of GORDIE HOWE'S career to date. If YOU are old enough to remember the epic battles between the Montreal Canadians and the Detroit Red Wings of the 1950's-60's, YOU can relive these times in photo concepts - eg. Howe's 545 goal in the Montreal Forum eclipsing Rocket Richards's record and the 15 minute standing ovation by Montreal fans; Howe's commentary on the Montreal dynasty once Jacque Plante and Jean Bellevue arrived on the hockey scene; the skilled fis-ti-cuffs of Gordie Howe against bad boy, Lou Fontinato of the New York Rangers; and Howe's best picks of NHL players he most admired! ... BUY TWO AND MAKE A FRIEND!

1 comments about A Fly in a Pail of Milk: The Herb Carnegie Story.

1. "Fly in a Pail of Milk" is the autobiography of Herb Carnegie, the 3-time, Senior League MVP and career minor leaguer, who should have broken the NHL color barrier 20 years before Boston Bruin Willie O'Ree. Despite being referred to as "the best that never played," the Ontario native never realized his dream of playing in the NHL for his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs, most said, because of the color of his skin. Though the pacing, at times, is a bit slow, the book is a worthwhile read, primarily because Carnegie is rarely mentioned in hockey history books, and few of even the most versed hockey fans could tell you who he is.

2 comments about Hockey Heroes: Patrick Roy (Hockey Heroes).

1. With the retirement of Patrick Roy in May 2003, fans are seeking information, books, etc about him. This book is a delightful addition to any Patrick Roy collection. It is not an indepth account of his life but is more of a tribute. This is an easy read and has many colorful photos that capture again for us some of his more memorable moments in hockey. It is a definite must for a true Patrick Roy fan.



2. Andrew Podnieks provides the reader with an insightful look at the top rated goalie in our present game of ice hockey. From seven years old, Patrick Roy has had a unflinching desire to be a great goaltender in the National Hockey League. This book reviews Roy's illustrious career beginning with Montreal Canadiens and provides the reader with his carrer highlites up to his present team,The Stanley Cup winners, the Colorado Avalanche. It's a must read for any hockey fan young or old.

No comments about Wayne Gretzky (Sports Heroes and Legends).

1 comments about From Behind the Red Line: An American Hockey Player in Russia.

1. This is a fabulous book for hockey fans of all ages and even for non-hockey fans just interested in some Soviet history. The book details what it was like for a Harvard-educated young man to find himself in the midst of the Cold War. It is fascinating to learn about how the Soviets trained and the difficult environment that they lived in. The book truly makes one appreciate living here as we see how difficult it was for the author to live in the Soviet Union. The book is easy to read and very funny in places. I highly recommend it.