. That's it - just 50! As you can imagine, arguments about who was included and more importantly who was not included began soon after, rocketing this book up the best-sellers lists.This book isn't your standard list of greatest Canadians. Instead of the typical patriotic chest thumping this book looks at the 50 most important Canadians (they had to be born in the 20th century - thus explaining Lester B. Pearson's absence) from the viewpoint of people outside of Canada. Global reach was the defining factor.
People like Tommy Douglas, Pierre Trudeau, Romeo Dallaire, Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, David Suzuki, Michael J. Fox and James Cameron.
Now any book about the top Canadians as seen by Canadians would include a few hockey personalities. So how does the author handle Canada's defining sport from a global perspective?
McGoogan includes three hockey personalities. Many Canadians might find that to be too small of a number but realistically the world's view on hockey, with the exception of a dozen countries or so, is pretty small, too.
Wayne Gretzky, of course, is included. (There is no numerical ranking of the honourees.) As the author points out, Gretzky transcended the sport in America and as a result has, in many ways, given the game to the world. He is the face of the game, and for many he is the face of Canada.
Jacques Plante is also included, for literally changing the face of the game by introducing the goalie mask.
Hailey Wickenheiser is also included along with deceased freestyle skier Sarah Burke, for their immense influence in advancing women's athletics worldwide.
Does any other hockey player deserve mention? While Rocket Richard's cultural impact in Quebec is unparalleled, his reach did not extend beyond Canadian borders. Bobby Orr, Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau, Mario Lemieux - all amazing hockey players, but not one of which I think had any significant global reach, especially off the ice. The very few hockey players I can think of who deserve such consideration are immediately eliminated because they are not even Canadian - Borje Salming, Vladislav Tretiak and Slava Fetisov.
Realistically I think McGoogan is bang on in including only these three Canadian hockey players. I may even be willing to drop Plante off the list (but only if McGoogan drops Celine Dion. I mean, c'mon!).
Ken McGoogan 50 Canadians Who Changed The World
should be required reading in Canada. He offers an interesting and entertaining history of Canada from a different angle. I do recommend checking out this book.
- Known for his opinions--and unabashed expression of them--Don Cherry has been causing debate for decades. Topics on "Coach's Corner" sometimes veer away from sports and on to other matters that are near and dear to Cherry's heart: the war in Afghanistan and politics, among many others.
In Straight Up and Personal, Cherry shares his thoughts on a broader range of issues than he ever has before. He shares some of his personal experiences on and off the ice, and offers the lessons he's learned along the way. This is Don Cherry: straight up and personal.
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Over 500,000 hockey fans follow Bob McKenzie on Twitter and millions more on TSN—no one has the access or breadth and depth of experience when it comes to the hockey. Now in his very first book on the NHL, Bob goes behind the scenes, covering the inside stories, the lesser-known personalities and the events that shape Canada’s game. He talks to Bobby Orr about Connor McDavid (touted as “the next Crosby”), reveals the actual stats that NHL coaches and scouts use, and explores what it’s like to be Don Cherry’s son. Entertaining, insightful and a damn good read, Hockey Confidential is a must for every hockey fan.
The Toronto Maple Leafs official book of the greatest players and coaches from yesterday and today! We Are Your Leafs is the first book in an eight-book partnership between Fenn/Random House and the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the team's forthcoming centennial celebration plans. By Michael Ulmer
- From celebrated author and sports journalist Stephen Brunt comes a beautifully illustrated, elegiac tribute to the Toronto Maple Leafs of yesteryear. Acclaimed writer Stephen Brunt's essay on the '65 training camp -- based on interviews with team members -- Leafs '65 is the ultimate tribute to the Stanley Cup-winning Toronto Maple Leafs, to a forgotten era of hockey, and to a moment in Canadian history that will resonate with any reader.
-This book shares over 100 Maple Leaf moments that defined, started, or rejuvenated a career. This up-to-date volume of work tells the story behind each amazing player and is packed full of Hall of Famers and other great stars of the past and present.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs Contracts and Historical Documents from the Collection of Allan Stitt
- Far from a conventional biography, Facing Wayne Gretzky offers perspectives and testimonials from opponents and teammates alike, including Denis Potvin, Kelly Hrudey, Rob Blake, and many more.
Never has another hockey player achieved what “The Great One” did on the ice, and it is unlikely that one will soon. This book details what it’s like to face the best player who ever skated, illuminating his passing ability, his deceptively effective shot, and his inventiveness both with the puck and without.
- A comprehensive look at the 1972 Canada-USSR Hockey series and the way that Canadian mythology has been built around it, including essays on topics such as the impact of the summit series on the development of women's hockey, an analysis of media perspectives from the series and how the summit series helped to form Canada's identity abroad. This collection will be written in accessible prose, allowing it to read and enjoyed by a devotee of the game who is not an academic.
by Michael McKinley
by Kevin Shea
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