5 comments about The Game.

1. As a hockey fan growing up in the late '60's and early '70's, Ken Dryden was one of my heroes. The Canadiens seemed to always win the Stanley Cup in those years and Dryden was the goalie to watch in the '70's. The Game chronicles the latter stage of his career and provides a great deal of insight into the NHL, the Canadiens and, of course, Dryden himself.
   
   My favorite part of this book is when he takes the time to drill down deeper into the quirky personalities of certain teammates. When you think of the Canadiens of the '70's, players like Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Bob Gainey, Guy Lapointe, Steve Shutt, and of course, coach Scotty Bowman come to mind. Dryden devotes much of The Game to coverage of teammates, coaches and even trainers, all written in the cerebral style he was known for throughout his career.
   
   Any true hockey fan will want to read this book, regardless of how much or little you know about Dryden and Canadiens history. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the NHL today is where it stands after the 2004-05 lockout. Although Dryden didn't touch on this in The Game, he offered these prescient thoughts towards the end of the book (and his NHL career):
   
   "Expansion and the WHA behind it, it will be a time to turn inward, to put its (the NHL's) unwieldy house in order. Like an aging adolescent having grown too fast, it will get reacquainted with its parts, get them in hand, and do something with them. It will be a time for realism, and stability, for chastened hopes and dreams deferred--except one. Off ice, the whispered word will be "cable." But it will represent a more modest dream this time, and more realizable, if the promised bonanza is only for some. It is time for a deep breath, a pause, a time to return the game to the ice. For that is the real tragedy of the 1970s, and the real opportunity for the 1980s. It is on the ice that its next great challenge lies."
   
   Gee, he could have written much of that in the last 3 years and it would have been just as applicable. The league is on the rebound but the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals, the ultimate hockey championship, are relegated to the Versus network. Ugh. I even had to bite the bullet and sign up for Versus network service yesterday so that I could watch games 1 and 2, featuring my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins against the evil Detroit Red Wings.
   
   How sad is that? The Stanley Cup Finals start out on some third-tier cable network. Maybe it's time to toss Gary Bettman out as NHL commissioner and replace him with someone like Ken Dryden...



2. This is no ordinary sports autobiography. Dryden does not sing his own praises and tell us how he became the greatest goalie of his generation. Instead this is a deeply meditative book in which he shares with the reader his own questions as to the character and meaning of his own career in hockey. He provides in the course of this an inside look at the game, and long interesting descriptions of the people he has known in it, most notably his teammates.
   The book does not really tell a consecutive story. It also leaves out certain things the reader might want to know. I for instance would have liked to have heard more about Dryden's family, his wife and parents, their relation to his success and career. But he pretty much keeps them out of it and focuses on the game.
   His own relation to himself and his success , is I believe , quite admirable. He describes in detail the pleasures and the pains of goalkeeping. He describes too the part this position has in the whole game. I imagine a real hockey fan ( I am not) would be tremendously interested in the inside look he gives at the way players actually think about themselves and what they are doing.
   Dryden is both tremendously intelligent and articulate- a truly outstanding writer.
   Many have said this is one of the best sports books ever written. It is certainly one of the best I have read.



3. When I saw this book I said to myself I will give it a try-- After reading parts about the conversations in the locker rooms between players. I liked his own history about the game when growing up and the teams day to day conversations--going to practice, before certain big games. But he has a nasty annoying knack of disrespecting other players on any page in the book. The first read of the book you think it is just great sense of humor, but afterwards I think about and it is a tremendous disrespect to other professional players on his team. An example includes page 110 "The one original part of his game around which it might be done he seemed anxious to deny." Page 77 "On the one hand he is a good skater and forechecker, capable of playing any of the forward positions, a better-than-average playmaker and penalty-killer;on the other, he is not big,not strong, not tough, often injured, a worse-than-average shooter, and has surprisingly little goal-scoring ability.



4. As a big fan of Les Canadiens who frequently took a weekend and stood in the Forum to watch Dryden and his teammates play, I was expecting a great book. Look at the glowing reviews.
   
   But when I read this, I found it rambling, full of topics not explored. And the characters in the book come across as half-baked.
   
   The Ken Dryden I see in this book is introspective to the point of being morose. He gripes so much about the pressures, the disjointed life he lives. True, his role during the Canadien dynasty was not to lose the game. Of course, when you have guys like Gainey, Lemaire, Robinson, Lapointe, Lafleur, all in front of you, it does take the edge away.
   
   But I got no real feeling as to why he plays, with all the dislikes he has of it. The cameraderie? I am not convinced.
   
   But you get no real feeling for the writer, for his family, or his teammates.
   
   The book takes a bizarre turn 3/4 through on a history lesson, quite interesting but out-of-place. And his whining about the physicality of the game grinds on me.
   
   Dryden got a lot of attention for being a law student. But he has left his law studies behind and you hear nothing of why.
   
   The edition I have has a 20-year afterword. He is the president of the Toronto Maple Leafs now, with relatively little success.
   
   I guess the overall impression of the book was to appreciate parts of it but to wonder why it was written. Dryden comes across as quite introspective, often unwilling to share his thoughts and feelings. No problem with that, but why did he write the book?



5. Having grown up in the Boston area and having been a goaltender myself, I simultaneously despised Dryden for his mastery of our beloved Bruins, and admired him for his unparalleled consistency in a position fraught with inconsistency. In an era when college graduates in the NHL were few and far between, Dryden as a graduate of Cornell and later McGill Law School was a genuine odity. His level of intelligence is unquestioned however, it may have also been in part, what made for something of a "dry" read.

1 comments about Hockeytown Hero: The Steve Yzerman Story.

1. I just finished reading Hockeytown Hero: The Steve Yzerman Story. Finally, a biography written for kids about our Detroit Red Wings Captain! Author Shelley Lazarus includes interviews with Yzerman, his teammates, and other hockey legends, including Scotty Bowman and Bryan Trottier.

   I thought the book was well written; a great story told artfully. Trust me when I say grown ups will enjoy it as much as the kids! While the book focuses on Yzerman's hockey career -- from the time he first skated at age three, through two Stanley Cup championships -- I really enjoyed the personal glimpses and photographs included as well. Yzerman's parents even provide team pictures of his early years as a "Moose Pup All-Star" (age 8.)

   I already bought copies for my neices & nephews, and saved one for myself, too! You've got to read this book.

4 comments about The Goal: Bobby Orr and the Most Famous Shot in Stanley Cup History.

1. This is a picture book entirely about one of the most famous action photos in National Hockey League history -- Bobby Orr scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to top the St. Louis Blues and clinch, for the Boston Bruins, possession of the Stanley Cup for the 1969-70 season.
   
   Each player and/or coach involved in Orr's goal is allowed some space within the book to share their thoughts about the historic moment.
   
   Derek Sanderson (assist), Harry Sinden (Bruins coach) and even Noel Picard (St. Louis defenseman) are among those who contribute.
   
   If you are a Boston Bruins fan, you'll love it. If not, you may be disappointed. There's not much to it.



2. Bobby Orr was the greatest hockey player of all time. I was a little young to see him play during his career (I only had a chance to see a few games towards the end of his career after his knees had failed him) but I've had a chance to see hours of footage from dozens of games in his prime, and I can confidently assert that there was no one as good as he was, ever.
   
   I will certainly grant that Gretzky had the greatest career of all time, putting together great skill and consistent performance for many years. I might even grant that someone like Mario Lemieux may have been endowed with a higher level of innate ability to play hockey. But by the standard of how much impact a player is able to have on a game, how much they are able to dominate the action, and do it all both ways at high speed, no one touches Orr.
   
   Perhaps you've seen adult amateur league games where some team will bring in a ringer, a guy who's played college or major junior hockey, who so clearly outplays everyone on the ice that people start getting angry? People resent someone so dominant, and do all they can to contain them, ususally ineffectively. Here's the connection: Bobby Orr was like a ringer in the NHL. It is not hype - take the time to watch some game footage (beyond just highlights, because though Orr has astounding highlights, they don't tell the whole story) and you will become a believer.
   
   This book is brief, and thin on content, but the quotes and images contained within tell a lot about how respected and admired Orr was (and is) by teammates, opponents, coaches, and writers. I'd give the book a higher rating if it was more substantial, but what is there is good, and a worthy aquisition for hockey fans.



3. "The Goal" is a great book that brings back the memories and magic that culminated in one of hockey's greatest moments. Some would argue that this is the greatest moment ever in the sport. Orr's miracle season created a new era in hockey. Bobby Orr ran the defense and the offense for the Boston Bruins. Harry Sinden recalls some wonderful inside details in this polaroid style flashback. What makes this book special are all the quotes by other players who were in awe of Orr. Bobby not only made for one of the greatest pictures in sports, he also electrified and transformed a city. Orr dominated both ends of the ice, and he could body check, fight and get very emotional. Gretzky was a great stat accumulator and an excellent passer and puck handler. I would say that Bobby Orr could pass, skate and check equal to or better than Wayne Gretzky. Orr's slapshot was harder. His body took a pounding, whereas nobody laid a finger on the great one. Bobby would often block shots (sans helmet) and then break up ice to either set goals up or score them himself. Gretzky was rarely found playing any kind of defense. Winner, Orr. This book will further solidify the legend, and make the memories, stories and smiles all as fresh as when it all happened. Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the greatest goal in hockey. It's safe to say it won't happen like that ever again.



4. A must have for any Bobby Orr or Boston Bruins fan. The greatest goal by the greatest hockey player ever.
   Anyone saying "what's his name" is a better hockey player is too young to have seen Orr play. Statistics aren't everything - they are secondary to actual on the ice ability. Yeah, the G man was great. But Orr was in a league of his own. I guarantee you if there were two teams, one made up of six Bobby's and one made up of six Gretsky's, Gretsky would never touch the puck.
   Never again will you see a player that good. Never.

5 comments about Mario Lemieux: The Final Period.

1. I like to call this book an "Adult picture book" because of the easy read and scrapbook of great pictures. I only wish it was written a few years later so Mario could tell us about his plans to save the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is one athlete that has never been arrested, has never done drugs, has been happily married to his wife (and he has only had one wife), and he's not going to go bankrupt anytime soon. Hats off to a great athlete and an awesome man.



2. This book is the best book I've ever read on an athlete. It gives plenty of information throughout his career and really shows you what a class act Mario is. Not only is it detailed well, but the pictures are awesome. If you doubt Mario as being one of the best athletes out there, read this book. You'll see why he earned the name Super Mario.



3. GREAT PICTURES



4. Mario Lemieux: The Final Period is a very nice book, mainly made up of photos of "Le Magnifique". The book has few words, but countless wonderful photographs. It features many game-action photos of Mario during his years as a Pittsburg Penguin, as well as personal photos of him and his family, and even hockey action photos of Mario before his NHL playing days. A must have for a Mario Lemieux fan.



5. A perfect book to remember the glory days of one of the best hockey players ever.

5 comments about Between the Lines: Not-So-Tall Tales From Ray "Scampy" Scapinello's Four Decades in the NHL.

1. I (asked for and) received this book for Christmas (Thanks, Mom!) and read it on the plane ride to Minnesota. It was a fun, entertaining read. For a post-lockout new fan, as I am, I found the mentions of the mechanics of the game interesting and for a short while I considered trying to be a referee or linesman in the NHL, until I realized I couldn't skate forwards that well, let alone backwards, sideways, or while holding myself up on the boards. The non-mechanics parts of the book were also fun - It has a lot of stories of "Scampy's" personal experiences working in the league for over 20 years. If you're looking for a light*, fun read about hockey, this is certainly the book for you.
   
   *"Light" meaning quick and mostly painless, and we're comparing it to the wide range of literature rather than other hockey books.



2. This was a good book. But if you're looking for juicy stories you won't find many (if any) here.



3. I bought an autographed copy of the book directly from Ray at the HSBC arena in Buffalo. I loved Scampy as a ref and I loved his book. Sure, it could've had a bit more content but overall it was a very enjoyable read.



4. As a hockey fan with an appreciation for the history of the game, I jumped at the chance to read and review Between the Lines: Not-So-Tall Tales From Ray "Scampy" Scapinello's Four Decades in the NHL by Ray Scapinello and Rob Simpson. From the perspective of a fan, it was fun to read. But from a critical perspective, it could (and should) have been much, much more...
   
   Contents:
   The Essential Scampy; Big Games, Colossal Pressure; Fighters and Brawlers; Young "Gus" Grows; Gaining Experience; A Brotherhood of Pranksters; All in the Family; NHL Evolutions; Privet (Hello) Russia; What's Left Behind and Lies Ahead; Index
   
   Ray Scapinello, aka "Scampy", was a linesman in the National Hockey League (NHL), and has a career of respect and longevity that will never again be matched by an official. Due to excellent conditioning and more than a little luck, he never missed a game and was on the ice until his late 50's. During that time, he skated with many of the legends of the game. And at only 5' 7", he was almost always outmatched in the size and bulk department when breaking up fights. But again, his commitment to the game and fearless attitude had him diving into scrums with some of the league's most notorious brawlers. Throughout the book, there are a number of stories related to the games he worked, personalities he met, and other officials he saw come and go during that time. From a pure hockey appreciation standpoint, the book provides an insight to the life of a "zebra", quite often the most thankless job in sports.
   
   So where did things go wrong with the book?
   
   Primarily, a lack of focus. I wouldn't expect fellow officials to be left out of stories, but far too often the stories were more about them than Scampy. It also wasn't unusual for the author to head off on a tangent related to some aspect of the game. Again, interesting from a hockey standpoint, but not seemingly relevant to Scampy's story. The stories don't always follow a chronological order in his life, so you jump from his last game to his childhood to the strike season back to his son, etc. It made the organization of the book seem very disjointed, and detracted from what could have been both an entertaining read *and* a solid book.
   
   I'll pass this along to my son, who is also a linesman and referee at the junior level. I have no doubt he'll enjoy the book and relate to many of the on-ice incidents. But I have a feeling that even he will be less than impressed at the overall layout. Too bad, as Scampy is a part of the game that's often overlooked and should have more attention. There *are* real people under those striped sweaters...



5. As an avid hockey fan, I enjoyed all of the stories in the book. It provides incredible insight into the NHL and its officials. I found myself thouroughly amazed at how much extracurricular stuff goes on during a hockey game between the officials and players.
   
   That said, the book itself was dissapointing. It seems to skip around alot, telling a story and then going off on several related tangents before returning to the original point. This causes the author to repeat himself several times, particularly across several chapters.
   
   Perhaps most dissapointing is the general lack of "Scampy" stories through the first two thirds of the book. It's more of a "life of the NHL officials" type of book than a story about the life and career of a specific person. This is why hockey fans will still enjoy this book, reading background stories about NHL games always provides a unique, new, and enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, this book is published as an [auto]biography and that takes away from the overall enjoyment of the book.

5 comments about Pavel Bure: The Riddle of the Russian Rocket.

1. Although the author really didn't have much access to Pavel himself, he fills in lots of the gaps and dispells a lot of the myths about the most exciting player to put on a Nux jersey (sorry, Markus Naslund...you're great but you don't lift me out of my seat like Pavel did).

   This book only confirms my thoughts on writers like Tony Gallagher and Al Strachan--guys who never let the facts get in the way of a story. It also is an eye opener about how Nux mgmt operates and how the Nux WILL NEVER WIN A CUP until they bag this whole Quinn and his acolytes (Burke and now Nonis) hiring policy.

   It hurts to read some of this as what mgmt did during Pavel's era is jaw droppingly stupid from bad trades post-1994 to being so chintzy about contract negotiations with key members of that Cup run team and I can now understand why Pavel finally wanted out. And to those out there always talking about how "great" a place to live Vancouver is, read this and wake up to the fact Vancouver is still a backwater and not some sort of cultural and enlightened "world-class" city.




2. I think that this book is probably the best book out there right now. It tells the reader everything about the Russian Rocket, including his relationship with his father. And if you're a hockey fan like me, you really have to read this wonderful book.So don't delay,order today!



3. If you're looking as to why Pavel Bure appears to be such a "selfish little (...)" (as quoted by a certain Canadian famous hockey personality), then you should read this. The readers are treated to potential reasons as to why Bure acts like he does. He's got his reasons like anyone else does, one of them being he grew up in the former Soviet Union and their media laws towards sports are very different from that of North Americas. Another one being that he is an introvert that simply doesn't like to be bothered.

   I love this book, I can just pick it up and start reading from anywhere because its so well-written. Some of the pictures are neat, like the one of him from the Soviet Union days.

   There is also some other notes on other current NHL stars like Alexander Mogilny, Sergei Fedorov, and also delves into the Bure brothers relationship with their father Vladimir-who is now estranged from the family for mysterious reasons not given.

   There is even some Russian Mafia rumors in this so if you're into that whole extortion stuff then you might like that too.

   Either way, its a very good read.




4. This book is the true meaning of perfection and excellence. He may not be Wayne Gretzky, but Bure could beat him in a speed competition easily. Through the tough times of growing up in Russia, to the glorious days of the Olympics, Pavel Bure is truly a hero and an overall nice guy too. Everyone should read this book, because I sure enjoyed it a lot, and if you know the game of hockey, you will appreciate it even more.



5. If you want to find out who the Russian Rocket is you'll have to read this book. I would recommend this autobiography for anyone to read if they have an interest in the NHL. This book gives you details on what actually took place for the Russians to be able to come and play hockey in the NHL.

5 comments about Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey.

1. There are some great stories, I was shocked coming from Johnstown,Pa how many references and quotes there were from former Chiefs and guys whose names I hadn't heard in years..truly could not put it down!



2. I bought this book for my dad who is also the father of a Junior A hockey player in Montana. He LOVES this book- quotes from it and laughs so hard he can barely talk. Highly recommend this one!



3. Excellent book. Well written, first-person account of life in the minors. Really enjoyed it. This is the first book I've ever read start to finish in one sitting. It ain't Shakesphere--and that's a good thing. I hate Shakesphere. This is an easy read, fun and enjoyable.
   
   Roger Snow
   Las Vegas



4. Doug and Adam do a wonderful job of bringing you into the world of minor league hockey thuggery. If you're a lover of the sport, regardless of whether you are a fan of the boys that drop the gloves, it's a must for your library.



5. I just finshed the book and wished Doug had played for more teams over the years so the story could continue. Doug comes across as a very likeable guy who happens to get his thrills by dropping the gloves with anyone who wants to go. Great insight into the workings of minor league hockey. The book's not expensive, it's easy to read, and very entertaining. Thanks for your memories, Doug!

1 comments about On the Ice with... Mario Lemieux.

1. I would recommend this book because it made you want to turn the page because the way he used the words in the book. This book showed me that Mario was a devoted person and how much he cared about people. The book inspired me to never give up on anything that you enjoy doing. When you hear about people caring so much it makes you want to be like them.

5 comments about A Season of Loss, a Lifetime of Forgiveness: The Dan Snyder and Dany Heatley Story.

1. This is the story of the September 29, 2003 auto accident in Atlanta which resulted in the death of Dan Snyder, hockey player for the Atlanta Thrashers. The auto was driven by Dan's friend and teammate, Dany Heatley, who was charged by the Fulton County District Attorney on five counts.
   
   The story is good in its details and facts. Doctors have trouble identifying Heatley and Snyder, not because of the accident, but because both men's driver's licenses and some money had been stolen at the hospital. Teammates come to the hospital in support of the players. Limited hope exists that Snyder would recover; he does not. The writer relates interviews with family, friends, and members of Snyder's home town. One chapter is devoted to the memorial service in Elmira.
   
   The legal proceedings took an extended time for resolution. The writer takes a wayward attempt to link the accident with the Ray Lewis stabbing affair which occurred in Atlanta on January 31, 2000 along the lines of how the District Attorney handled the case. I had trouble relating the auto accident which happened after 10:00 p.m. and did not involve alcohol with the stabbing deaths which occurred at 4:00 a.m. outside of a bar.
   
   The main focus is on the Snyder family and how the family members deal with the death, with Dany Heatley, with the media, and with other families facing similar tragedy.
   
   It is not a "feel good" story, but it is a story that makes you think about how people deal with tragedy. You get to know a little about Dan and Dany and come away from the book thinking about their stories. Although parts of the book do loosely follow the Thrashers during the season, you do not have to be a hockey fan to read this and get value from it.



2. One of the best books I've read so far! Very tragic and very sad to read but really worth it! For everyone who feels very sad for Dan Snyder and Dany Heatley!
   I love this book, but I was crying while I was reading it. Two thumbs up for that book.



3. For those who were exposed only to the negative news stories of this event, and formed an opinion about the incident based on those stories, this book is must-read! The book focuses on reporting the facts of the accident, the emotions of all involved and describes the character of both of the players. I especially admired the Snyders family and their refusal to do anything but forgive Dany Heatley. The judge that presided over the legal proceedings gives one hope for our justice system. Based on personal experience, I can attest that the judge's assertion that Heatley will never be able to forget this accident is true, and is punishment enough.



4. I was given this book by a friend without knowing anything about Dan Snyder or Danny Heatley. What an amazing story about two pretty impressive young men. After reading it, I wish I could have known Dan Snyder. I hope that if I were ever in this situation (heaven forbid), I would do what the Snyders did. In our litigious society, they are absolutely amazing people.
   
   The only negative about this book is that there are so many names dropped in along the way that I couldn't keep them all straight. The name dropping distracted me from the story itself.
   
   I wish the Snyders all the best.



5. A tragic tale well told. This book is a fitting tribute to the memory of Dan Snyder and the way his parents forgave Danny Heatley for his death.

4 comments about Boss: The Mike Bossy Story.

1. I read this book years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think that with time he has begun to fade into obscurity, but when I was growing up he was truly one of the great players--and as far as I'm concerned, always will be.



2. For someone who didn't speak much to the press, it was extremely interesting to get inside Mike Bossy. It was great to relive all his outstanding accomplishments. A must read for hockey fans.



3. Mike Bossy is perhaps the most unappreciated star in the history of New York area sports. Perhaps it is because he played on Long Island and not NYC, Bossy is forgotton. Meisel and Bossy do a fine job. I hope copies of this book are out there for those of you hockey fans who are looking for a fun book to read. The book also takes serious turns, as the other review here says. It was an accurate review.



4. In his autobiography, Boss - The Mike Bossy Story, which was published in late 1988, Mike Bossy takes readers through his life and NHL career. The book is logically organized, easy to read and full of insights. He discusses his pre-NHL playing days, his NHL career, his memorable years with the New York Islanders, and his career-ending injury.

   Chapter 1 talks about the genesis of Bossy's career-ending back injury, which occurred during a 1987 practice session. He also offers ideas for improving hockey.

   Chapters 2 and 3 talk about his childhood in Montreal and his teenage years. He mentions how he met his future wife.

   Chapter 4 details life in junior hockey. The title of this chapter, Survival, summarizes what Bossy went through to get to the NHL.

   Chapter 5 talks more about his junior career and about how the Islanders drafted Bossy. It is still hard to believe that Bossy, despite all the goals he scored in junior hockey, was only the 15th pick in the first round of the 1977 draft, and that two teams passed drafting Bossy twice. There is a humerous passage in this chapter about the negotiations with the New York Islanders over Bossy's first contract.

   Chapter 6 briefly touched on Bossy's disasterous 1977 honeymoon in the Caribbean, before discussing Bossy's first year in the NHL. He scored 53 goals, setting a record for rookies (which would stand for 15 years), and easily won the 1978 Rookie of the Year award.

   Chapter 7 is the funniest section of the book. Bossy details his great relationship with teammate Bryan Trottier and some of the more memorable laughs he and the team had during his playing days.

   Chapter 8 details how the 1978-1979 Islanders suffered a crushing defeat in the third round of the playoffs at the hands of their arch-rival New York Rangers, even though the Islanders finished first overall during the regular season. Many Islanders in the early and mid-1980s would say that their demoralizing defeat in 1979 (when they were expected to win the Stanley Cup) would make them fear losing.

   Chapter 9 talks about the 1979-80 season. For a change, the team did not do well in the regular season, finishing sixth overall. But the Islanders tuned themselves up late in the season (via a trade that brought Butch Goring) and stuck together in the playoffs (against three favored teams, Boston, Buffalo and Philadelphia). In the playoffs, the Islanders dominated overtime, winning six games and losing only one. Bossy describes the uninhibited joy and elation that came with the Islanders first Stanley Cup championship, won on May 24, 1980, on Bob Nystrom's overtime goal.

   Chapter 10 discusses Bossy's personal goal of trying to score 50 goals during the team's first 50 games, a feat last accomplished in 1945. Bossy tied the record, in dramatic fashion, by scoring twice in the third period of the 50th game. Bossy would later state this was his greatest individual accomplishment. The Islanders culminated the season by winning their second straight Stanley Cup. Bossy also describes the sadness over his father's death.

   Chapter 11 talks about the team's thorough domination of the NHL both during the regular season and the playoffs in 1981-82. Bossy culminated the playoffs by winning the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player in the playoffs. Bossy descibes a goal scored while he was completely airborne in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Vancouver. Bossy had been bodychecked and, while falling to the ice with both feet off the ice, reached with his stick and shot the puck past a sprawling goaltender and a scrambling defenseman. Only one word describes this: incredible.

   Chapter 12 discusses the 1983 and 1984 seasons. In 1983, the Islanders became only the second franchise to win four Stanley Cups in a row. Bossy details how, in the third round of the playoffs against Boston, he scored all four of his team's game-winning goals and nine goals overall. This was one amazing accomplishment. When the playoffs were over, Bossy finished with 17 goals during the playoffs, the third straight year he had scored 17 goals in the playoffs. It is needless to say just how huge a factor Bossy's goals were to the team's playoff successes year after year. The Islanders basked in the glory of their fourth straight championship during the summer of 1983. In 1984, the Islanders were aiming to tie Montreal's record of five straight Stanley Cups. Bossy details each round of these pressure-packed playoffs, when the hockey world focused on the Islanders. During the third round of the playoffs, dynasty faced off against dynasty: Montreal (the dynasty of the late 1950s) versus the Islanders (the dynasty of the early 1980s). The Islanders prevailed in six games, for their 19th consecutive playoff series victory, a record that still stands in 1999 and that no team has come close to matching. Unfortunately, an exhausted, battered and injured Islanders team was defeated by a younger, hungrier and healthier Edmonton Oilers team in the 1984 Stanley Cup Finals.

   Chapter 13 details Bossy's participation in the 1984 Canada Cup. Although Team Canada won the tournament, Bossy had a lousy experience.

   Chapter 14 discusses how Bossy suffered his crippling back injury and the frustrations he went through in 1986-87, his final NHL season. Bossy desperately wanted to score 50 goals again during the regular season, but his injured body prevented him from doing so. Bossy finished with 38 goals, the lowest output of his career. Nonetheless, Bossy still holds the NHL record for most consecutive 50-goal seasons (nine), a record which no player (including Wayner Gretzky and Mario Lemieux) has tied or broken and which should stand well into the 21st century.

   Chapter 15, the final one, details how Bossy sat out the 1987-88 season to rehabiliate his injured back. He mentions numerous futile visits to doctors and specialists.

   Overall, this book, Boss - The Mike Bossy Story, is excellent. Bossy's accomplishments: 573 regular season goals, 85 playoff goals, 1,126 points, four Stanley Cups, nine straight regular seasons of 50 or more goals, etc., are legendary. His book is able to present all these facts and other interesting matters to the reader in a refreshing way.

   Thank you, Mike Bossy, for a wonderful career and book.