2006 Christmas Hockey Book Buyers Guide

Christmas 2006 is quickly approaching. If you have a hockey fan on your list, there are some high quality hockey books on the market.Here's a look at the new class of hockey books:

Hockey: a People's History - This beautifully designed book perfectly compliments the must have CBC documentary turned DVD series by the same name. Both feature rare footage and information that will impress even the most educated hockey fan. Yet the DVD series and book are not just about hockey. Amazon describes it as "more than just the story of a sport, it is a story of a people, and it is a unique lens through which one can view Canada’s social history – the coming of age of a nation, and the remarkable journey of a sport that has woven itself into our cultural language and fabric." It is so true. If you only give one hockey related item to your hockey crazed fan this Christmas, make it Hockey: A People's History. I could not wait for Christmas, and I had to go out and buy it immediately.

The Canadian Hockey Atlas - Stephen Cole has come with the season's most unique book and it is a smashing success. Amazon describes it as "Part encyclopedic reference source, part mesmerizing history, The Canadian Hockey Atlas is a beautifully illustrated look at hockey from a completely new perspective. Organized into 11 chapters by province and territory, with over 1,000 player entries complete with listings of every hockey town and city, this book shows through history, stories, and memorabilia how the game’s wildly different local and regional strands come together into the pastime that defines Canada." This is another great book that celebrates hockey in its many forms across Canada.

Searching for Bobby Orr - Though hailed by many as the greatest player of all time, the real Bobby Orr remains largely unknown due to his unassuming nature. Stephen Brunt delivers what very likely is the definitive look at Number Four in this unauthorized account. As Amazon's review suggests, Canada’s foremost sportswriter gives us a compelling and graceful look at the life and times of Bobby Orr that is also a revealing portrait of a game and a country in transition. Fans of Brunt's Facing Ali know this author provides works of masterpiece.


Canucks Legends: Vancouver's Hockey Heroes - This is the third installment of the simply spectacular Legends series, following in the footsteps of Canadiens Legends and Maple Leaf Legends. The book is huge, with incredible photography and great biographical shorts on many of the Canucks best players and best loved characters of the past four decades. Amazon says: The Canucks come to life through 75 player profiles--Orland Kurtenbach, Stan Smyl, Richard Brodeur, Cam Neely, Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi and many others--and over 300 historic and contemporary photos. I'm a Canuck fan, so this is definitely on my Christmas wish list.


Between the Lines: Not-So-Tall Tales From Ray "Scampy" Scapinello's Four Decades in the NHL- I think this book will be the most overlooked hockey history book on the market this year, and that would be a mistake. As Amazon's review says: Between the Lines gives a rare glimpse inside the world of hockey from an unusual perspective — through the eyes of one of the game's greatest and best-loved officials. Scampy shares his tales of life both on and off the ice as an official, an inside look at what those players and coaches are really like, what they really say and do, and what the game looks like between the lines. Full of fun stories, perspective on how the game has changed and evolved, and stories and interviews about Scampy from players, coaches, and other officials, Between the Lines is a captivating memoir of a truly unique life in hockey. Gives this book a long look folks, its definitely on my Christmas list.

Other hockey history books of note this Christmas include:

Game of My Life: New York Rangers- Stories from 24 New York hockey legends take fans inside the Rangers locker room and inside the heads of the players themselves. It is an anecdotal history of the biggest games in the history of the New York Rangers

Shorthanded: The Untold Story of the Seals: Hockey's Most Colorful Team- A fascinating and complete recollection of the California Golden Seals. The Seals still have a small but loyal fan base, but this book is for any serious hockey history buff.

When the Lights Went Out: How One Brawl Ended Hockey's Cold War and Changed the Game- Gare Joyce takes a look at the Canada - Russia brawl at the 1987 World Junior Championships and how it changed hockey forever.

Striking Silver: The Untold Story of America's Forgotten Hockey Team- This is going to be another overlooked hockey book this Christmas, but is a must have on my list. The accomplishment of the United States Olympic Hockey team during the 1972 Olympic Winter Games has seemingly been one of hockey's most well-kept secrets in this country. This is the story of Striking Silver and its members, which included schoolboy heroes and college All-Americans as well as those plucked from the jungles of Vietnam . I'm sure this will be a fascinating read if only because the story is so truly unknown.

Fred Cusick: Voice of the Bruins: 60 Years in Boston Sports- A must have for fans of the Boston Bruins, Cusick recalls his fondest memories.

The Power of Two : Carl Brewer's Battle with Hockey's Power Brokers- This book, told from his wife's account, looks at the life and times of the late Carl Brewer.

Fans not looking for hockey history have no shortage of hockey books either this Christmas:

Brodeur: Beyond the Creaseis Martin Brodeur's early autobiography. Shawna Richer followed Sidney Crosby around during his rookie year, and has compiled her writings in The Rookie. NHL Official Guide and Record Bookis always a must have each Christmas. Hockey heavyweight Andrew Podnieks returns with A Canadian Saturday Night: Hockey and the Culture of a Countrywhile Oilers fans won't want to miss the 2006 playoff recap The Oilers : Celebrating Edmonton's Quest for Lord Stanley's Cup

There is no shortage of hockey books for kids this Christmas either. Of course, the most important book every hockey crazed kid should have is the old classic The Hockey Sweater Other good books to teach your kids about hockey history include: The Greatest Goal, A Hero Named Howe, Number Four, Bobby Orr!, The Goalie Maskor Gretzky's Game. For some good children's hockey fiction check out The Magic Hockey Skatesor any of Roy MacGregor's The Screech Owls series