Bargain Hockey Books At Chapters

Looking for good deals on hockey books? Be sure to check out Chapters Bargain Book Section. Hockey books marked down and available online include:

• The Little Book of Hockey Sweaters: $21.95 now just $3.99
• The Little Book of Hockey Sweaters 2: $19.95 now just $3.99
• Best of Hockey Night in Canada: $29.95 now just $5.99
• The Complete Hockey Dictionary: $29.95 now just $6.99
• The Great Canadian Hockey Phrase Book: $13.95 now just $3.99
• The Meaning of Puck: $29.95 now just $5.99
• Brad Richards: A Hockey Story: $17.95 now just $3.99

 Also, Chapters facilitates used book sales, where you can find ridiculous prices on older hockey books. You can find it all in the Chapters Bargain Book Section.

The Greatest Game by Todd Denault

It is simply known as "The New Year's Eve Classic." Any good hockey fan knows exactly what game that refers to - the 3-3 tie between the famed Montreal Canadiens and famed Soviet Red Army on December 31st, 1975. So many people also refer to it as the greatest hockey game ever played.

What made this mid-season exhibition game so important? Why has it remained such a touchstone for so many people? What effect did have on the future course of the sport?

That is the focus of Todd Denault's new book  The Greatest Game: The Montreal Canadiens, the Red Army, and the Night That Saved Hockey.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com - E-Book

This is Denault's follow up title to his inaugural book/instant classic Jacques Plante: Man Who Changed Face of Hockey. Denault returns with his trademark exhaustive research and presents one of the most important hockey books ever written.

In order to answer the aforementioned questions, Denault first sets the stage for that game.That meant going back a full two decades to 1954 when the awesome strength of Soviet hockey was first introduced to Canada, and the idea of a game between the Soviets best and a NHL team was born.

From there the book tells the parallel story of the Soviet Union in international hockey and of the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL. This is done by using Anatoly Tarasov, the father of Russian hockey, as the conduit for the Soviets and Sam Pollock, arguably the greatest general manager in NHL history, for the Canadiens.

Then the reader is introduced to Vladislav Tretiak and Ken Dryden. It is through these two goalies that story flows. Other players certainly are given the spotlight, but it is the intertwined story of the top two goalies in the world in the 1970s that is the constant throughout the book, especially after both Tarasov and to a lesser extent Pollock fade into the background.

The backstory is long but necessary in order to build up the game so when it finally happens you know it's going to be big. Everything in the backstory leads to that game, brilliantly building a much anticipated crescendo. That's a hard thing to do when writing about an event where we all know the result and happened 35 years ago.

While building that crescendo, Denault's amazing research creates a real gem of a text as he looks at the state of hockey at that time. From Canada's external and internal challenges on the international stage to the deteriorating state of the National Hockey League, where only violence seemed to be escalating.

The New Year's Eve game helps to set the table for the golden age of international hockey competition and the Habs subsequent sweep of the Flyers helps sound the death knell for "the goon age" in hockey. Hence the subtitle of the book ... The Montreal Canadiens, the Red Army, and the Night that Saved Hockey.

This is a great history text that offers so much more than just a look at a single match of hockey. Any historical text that offers a look at Soviet hockey gets big kudos from me. As a big student of Soviet hockey history, I have voraciously read anything I can on the subject, and I can tell you Denault's offering is right up there with Lawrence Martin's The Red Machine as the top text book on the subject. And Denault's look back at the Canadian and professional game is every bit as important.

This is a great book for the hardcore hockey fan on your Christmas shopping list. 

Here's the specs:

• October 2010
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
• ISBN-10: 077102634X
• ISBN-13: 978-0771026348
• Price: $32.99

Here's more from McLelland & Stewart:

"This game wasn't about money, points, or trophies. Instead it was played for pride, both personal and national. It was a confrontation twenty years in the making and it marked a turning point in the history of hockey.

"On December 31, 1975, the Montreal Canadiens, the most successful franchise in the NHL, hosted the touring Central Red Army, the dominant team in the Soviet Union. For three hours millions of people in both Canada and the Soviet Union were glued to their television sets. What transpired that evening was a game that surpassed all the hype and was subsequently referred to as "the greatest game ever played." Held at the height of the Cold War, this remarkable contest transcended sports and took on serious cultural, sociological, and political overtones. And while the final result was a 3-3 tie, no one who saw the game was left disappointed. This exhibition of skill was hockey at its finest, and it set the bar for what was to follow as the sport began its global expansion."
Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com - E-Book
And if you're interested in this title, I also recommend:

• The Red Machine by Lawrence Martin
• Cold War by  Roy MacSkimming
• Jacques Plante: The Man Who Changed the Face of Hockey also by Todd Denault

Best of 2010: Hockey Book of the Year

Today HockeyBookReviews.com names the top hockey book of 2010!

Let me assure you that narrowing down the list of books to five finalists was no easy task. The hockey book class of 2010 is a very good one, far superior than 2009. Hockey book enthusiasts should be very satisfied when they browse the hockey bookshelves at their favorite book store.

The five finalists for the 2010 HockeyBookReviews.com Hockey Book of the Year are:

• The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys by James Duthie 
• Eddie Shore And That Old Time Hockey by C. Michael Hiam  
• Gold Medal Diary by Hayley Wickenheiser
• The Hockey Book by Sports Illustrated
• Tough Guy by Bob Probert with Kirstie McLellan Day

The 2010 HockeyBookReviews.com Hockey Book of the Year goes to: The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys by James Duthie.

Simply put, Duthie's collection of newspaper/online columns was the one book this year that you simply can not put down. It does not matter which team you cheer for. Heck, you don't even need to be a true hockey fan to really enjoy this book. It is funny throughout, at times heart touching, and just down right entertaining. I have full faith in saying absolutely everyone would enjoy The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys by James Duthie.

Michael Hiam did a wonderful job piecing together a long lost era that was never properly recorded. Sports Illustrated's long awaited hockey book met even the highest of expectations. Kirstie McLellan Day followed up last year's amazing success with an equally amazing title. And I'd like to give special mention to Hayley Wickenheiser's Gold Medal Diary, probably the surprise amongst the finalists. As far as I am concerned, Gold Medal Diary is the most underrated hockey book of 2010.

So why did I give Duthie's book the edge over such strong candidates? Because whenever someone asked me what book I would recommend for this fan or that fan or any other fan, it was always Duthie's text. It is entertaining and funny in Dave Barry style. There is not person out there who could not enjoy this The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com - E-Book

2010 Hockey Books

Here's look at the class of 2010 hockey books:

100 Things Bruins Fans Should Know by Matt Kalman
100 Things Flyers Fans Should Know by Adam Kimelman
A Passion To Win by Lou Nanne
A to Z Guide To Hockey Terms 2nd Edition
Battle of Alberta Trivia Book by Mike Leonetti
Behind The Bench by Jeff Marcus
Best of the Best by Scott Morrison/Hockey Night In Canada
Blood Feuds by The Hockey News
Canada's Top 100 Greatest Athletes by Maggie Mooney
Canuck Captains by Jason Farris
Canucks At 40 by Greg Douglas, Grant Kerr
The Day I (Almost) Killed Two Gretzkys by James Duthie
The Diary of a Dynasty by Kevin Shea, Paul Patskou
Discrimination in the NHL by Bob Sirois
Don Cherry's Hockey Stories Part 2 by Don Cherry
Eddie Shore And That Old Time Hockey by C. Michael Hiam
Final Call by Kerry Fraser
The Glory Of Our Game by Richard Buell
The Golden Jet by Bobby Hull with Bob Verdi
Gold Medal Diary by Hayley Wickenheiser
The Greatest Game by Todd Denault
Hawkeytown by Chicago Tribune
He Shoots . . . He Skewers by Roger Duncan
The Hockey Book by Sports Illustrated
Hockey Greats: Awesome Centres by Mike Leonetti
Hockey's Historic Highlights by Glen Goodhand
Hockey Is A Funny Game by Merv Magus
Hockey Hall of Fame Book of Goalies by HHOF
Hockey Now! (Sixth Edition) by Mike Leonetti
Hockey's Top 100: Game's Greatest Goals by Weekes and Banks
Hockey Superstitions by Andrew Podnieks
I Am Not Making This Up by Al Strachan
Junior Hockey's Royal Franchise - The Regina Pats
The Making Of Slap Shot by Jonathon Jackson
Michigan Ice Hockey by Greg Nelson
The Mighty Blackhawks by Chicago Sun-Times
Next Ones: Hockey's Future Superstars by Lorna Shultz-Nicholson
Official Guide To Players of HHOF by HHOF
The Ovechkin Project by Damien Cox and Gare Joyce
Play Better Hockey by Ron Davidson
Pucklore: A Hockey Research Anthology by SIHR
Raising Stanley by Ross Bernstein
Red, White and Blue on Ice by Roger Godin
Reflections: Best of the Decade by NHL
Retired Numbers by Andrew Podnieks
They Call Me Killer by Brian Kilrea/James Duthie
Tim Horton: Stanley Cups to Coffee Cups by Don Quinlan
Total Penguins by Rick Buker
Tough Guy by Bob Probert with Kirstie McLellan Day
Twenty Greatest Hockey Goals by Eric Zweig
We Are The Champions by The Hockey News
The Year Of The Blackhawks by Andrew Podnieks

New to Paperback
Gretzky's Tears - Stephen Brunt
I'd Trade Him Again - Peter Pocklington
Jacques Plante - Todd Denault
Playing With Fire - Theoren Fleury

Fiction/Other
Becoming Canada by Ken Dryden
Dragons, Donkey and Dust by Rudy Kong 
The Hanging Tree by Bryan Gruley
The Hockey News All New Top 100 (commemorative magazine)
The Penalty Killing by Michael McKinley

Kids Books

Advice For A Young Hockey Player
Brady Brady and the Missed Hatrick by Mary Shaw
Freddy's Hockey Hero by Susan Chalker Browne
Hockey 123 - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey ABC - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Colours - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Shapes - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Opposites by Per Henrik Gurth
One Hockey Night by David Ward with Brian Deines
Thanks To My Hockey Coach 

Young Adult
Delaying The Game by Lorna Schultz-Nicholson
Getting The Edge by Gabrielle Vanderhoof
The Hat Trick by Tom Earle
Hockey Superstars by Paul Romanuk
Hockey Talk by John Goldner
Jarome Iginla by Nicole Martillaro
Jordin Tootoo by Melanie Florence
Something To Prove: Bobby Clarke by Nicole Martillaro
The Mighty Tim Horton by Mike Leonetti
Peter Puck's Big Book of Hockey by Brian McFarlane
Rink Rivals by Jacqueline Guest
Roughing by Lorna Schultz-Nicholson

Hockey Talk by John Goldner and Ted Heeley

John Goldner and illustrator Ted Heeley have teamed up to give us Hockey Talk: The Language of Hockey from A-Z.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

There seems to be a number of different books in recent years dedicated to hockey terminology. But this one is special in that it is specifically geared at younger readers, specifically kids in elementary and middle schools. And hey, aren't those the people that who would best appreciate a book a hockey dictionary?

They will appreciate the Goldner's clear and entertaining approach on over 300 hockey words and phrases. And Heeley's humorous cartoons scattered throughout never give any impression that this book is technically a reference book. No, it is a fun book that entertains and engages young readers.

Buy The Book: Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com

The book, which features a foreword by noted children's hockey author Mike Leonetti, is an excellent choice for the young reader/hockey fanatic on your shopping list.

Hockey Talk: The Language of Hockey from A-Z is published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside. Check out the Hockey Talk website for some fun puzzles and word games.

Kids Hockey Books For Christmas

Looking for gift for someone under the age of 10 years old? Give them the gift of hockey and reading, by sending them one of these great hockey books. Getting kids reading early in life is essential to their academic success. This isn't easy, especially for boys. So encourage their emerging love of hockey while also encouraging them to like books just as much.

2009-2010 Hockey Superstars
Big Train
Brady Brady Series
Casey And Derek On The Ice
Clancy With The Puck
Delaying The Game
Dino Hockey
Fever Season
Fighting For Gold: Sledge hockey
Hat Tricks Count
H.E.A.R.T. 
Hockey 123 - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey ABC - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Colours - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Shapes - My First Hockey Book by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Days
Hockey Hero
Hockey Player For Life
The Hockey Tree
Howling Timberwolves Series
I Love My Hockey Mom
I Spy Hockey
Just One Goal
Long Shot
Maple Leafs A-Z
The Mighty Tim Horton
Oil King Courage
One Hockey Night
On This Day In Hockey
Peter Puck's Big Book
Pink Power
Polar Bears On Ice
Rebel Power Play
Roughing
The Sterling Seven
The Rocket: Mike Leonetti
The Rocket
So You Be Keon And I'll Be Mahovlich
Star Power 
Thanks To My Hockey Dad
Tough Guys
Unbeatable Martin Brodeur
Wendel & The Great One
Z is for Zamboni

Hockey Books on Kobo

From The Globe and Mail:

With online bookselling giant Amazon.com having halted sales of its Kindle e-reader in Canada and dismissive messages awaiting Canadians who attempt to shop at Google’s new online bookstore, it might seem that the Great White North is frozen out of the hottest trend of the shopping season.


But the truth is that Canadians are playing a big part – both as customers and players – in the e-book revolution that has upended sales of traditional books and is expected to vault past the $1-billion in sales it achieved in North America last year.

You can read the whole Globe and Mail article here. The Kobo success story is quite a fascinating story, and a Canadian success story on top of that.

Interested in buy a Kobo e-reader?




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