Strength down centre: The Jean Béliveau story

by Hugh Hood

Genres: Hockey, Biography

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[John A · Rating 2 out of 5]

At times I thought it was a very interesting book. But other times it was a struggle to read. Unfortunately, it’s a very dated book. There are better books on Jean Béliveau.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've had this book on my shelf unread for a few years now after buying it at a flea market, and with the recent passing of Mr. Beliveau, I thought I would read it. It is an odd yet interesting book. Though it is titled the Jean Beliveau story, there is really only one chapter that follows a typical biographical format. the first 45 pages are a description of the final weeks and playoffs of the 1969 NHL season (the book was written in 1969) A lot of the final half of the book is transcribed interviews with Beliveau, with most of the focus on his thoughts about how hockey is played. There are parts that are fascinating, but it is not what I was expecting in a biography. The author also interjects himself and his thoughts periodically. It is a book worth reading if you are a habs fan or a hockey fan, but if you are too young to be familiar with the rosters of the NHL in 1969, I would perhaps pass on the first chapter.

[bruce davidson]

ok read.