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A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs & The Rise of Professional Hockey
Drawing on extensive archival records and illustrations, histories of the sport, and newspaper files, Canada’s Prime Minister delves into the fascinating early years of ice hockey.
In the tumultuous beginnings of hockey, the fights were as much off the ice as on it. This engaging new book is about the hockey heroes and hard-boiled businessmen who built the game, and the rise and fall of legendary teams pursuing the Stanley Cup. With a historian’s perspective and fan’s passion, Stephen Harper presents a riveting and often-surprising portrait, capturing everything from the physical contests on the rinks to the battles behind the scenes and the changing social conventions of the twentieth century.
A Great Game shows that many things have stayed the same. Rough play, fervent hometown loyalties, owner-player contract disputes, dubious news coverage, and big money were issues from the get-go. Most important in these early years was the question: Was hockey to be a game of obsessed amateurs playing for the love of the sport, or was it a game for paid professionals who would give fans what they wanted? Who should be responsible for the sport – including its bouts of violence – both on and off the ice?
A century ago, rinks could melt, and by half time the blades screwed to the players’ shoes could be sinking in mud. It was during this time that teams such as the Toronto Professionals of 1908 and the Toronto Blue Shirts of 1914 took turns battling for the city’s very first Stanley Cup. Against the fanatical opposition of amateur hockey leaders, these “forgotten Leafs” would lay the groundwork for the world’s most profitable hockey franchise.
In paying tribute to these hockey pioneers and the contagious loyalty of their fans, Harper resurrects the history of hockey’s first decades. Lavishly illustrated with photographs of the game’s greatest arenas and earliest star players, this entertaining and original book will captivate you from start to finish.
In the tumultuous beginnings of hockey, the fights were as much off the ice as on it. This engaging new book is about the hockey heroes and hard-boiled businessmen who built the game, and the rise and fall of legendary teams pursuing the Stanley Cup. With a historian’s perspective and fan’s passion, Stephen Harper presents a riveting and often-surprising portrait, capturing everything from the physical contests on the rinks to the battles behind the scenes and the changing social conventions of the twentieth century.
A Great Game shows that many things have stayed the same. Rough play, fervent hometown loyalties, owner-player contract disputes, dubious news coverage, and big money were issues from the get-go. Most important in these early years was the question: Was hockey to be a game of obsessed amateurs playing for the love of the sport, or was it a game for paid professionals who would give fans what they wanted? Who should be responsible for the sport – including its bouts of violence – both on and off the ice?
A century ago, rinks could melt, and by half time the blades screwed to the players’ shoes could be sinking in mud. It was during this time that teams such as the Toronto Professionals of 1908 and the Toronto Blue Shirts of 1914 took turns battling for the city’s very first Stanley Cup. Against the fanatical opposition of amateur hockey leaders, these “forgotten Leafs” would lay the groundwork for the world’s most profitable hockey franchise.
In paying tribute to these hockey pioneers and the contagious loyalty of their fans, Harper resurrects the history of hockey’s first decades. Lavishly illustrated with photographs of the game’s greatest arenas and earliest star players, this entertaining and original book will captivate you from start to finish.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2013
17 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Stephen J. Harper
7 books22 followersStephen Harper is retired politician who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada for nearly a decade, from 2006 to 2015. First elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1993, he became became the first leader of the newly formed Conservative Party of Canada in 2004. Harper is an economist and entrepreneur who has served as the leader of the International Democrat Union since February 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 27, 2014
Before I even begin this review, I’m checking my opinion of Mr. Harper at the door. I’m strictly going to review the book based on the book itself and not touch on the character of our Prime Minister.
Is there anything more Canadian than this? The Prime Minister of Canada writes a book about hockey. Regardless of your feelings on Stephen Harper the politician, Stephen Harper the author, is a driven, research heavy machine.
Before I read this, I had no idea that there was such a fierce battle fought against professionalism in hockey. At the turn of the 20th century, there were a few people who staunchly believed that the sport should only be contested by pure amateurs; that once players began receiving money, it would corrupt the heart of the game. And for a while, they could have been considered correct. Once cold hard cash was up for grabs, all players were considering themselves up for grabs. They could accept offers from all clubs regardless of where they last laced up their skates thus creating a wealth of consistent free agents.
Unfortunately, Harper spends too much time delving into detailed play by play analysis of the hockey games themselves and while he does a very good job emphasizing the atmosphere of the crowd, the horrific ice conditions and the intense level of play, it isn't long before it begins to feel repetitive. Games began to blend together and I found my mind wandering, wanting to get back into the political battles off the ice.
There’s no denying that Harper did his homework as there’s a wealth of information jammed between the covers. My main issue is that I think consuming the excellent narrative non-fiction books from Erik Larson (The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin) has lessened my appreciation for textbook style, info-dumping history pieces like Harper’s hockey book.
Also posted @ Every Read Thing
Is there anything more Canadian than this? The Prime Minister of Canada writes a book about hockey. Regardless of your feelings on Stephen Harper the politician, Stephen Harper the author, is a driven, research heavy machine.
Before I read this, I had no idea that there was such a fierce battle fought against professionalism in hockey. At the turn of the 20th century, there were a few people who staunchly believed that the sport should only be contested by pure amateurs; that once players began receiving money, it would corrupt the heart of the game. And for a while, they could have been considered correct. Once cold hard cash was up for grabs, all players were considering themselves up for grabs. They could accept offers from all clubs regardless of where they last laced up their skates thus creating a wealth of consistent free agents.
Unfortunately, Harper spends too much time delving into detailed play by play analysis of the hockey games themselves and while he does a very good job emphasizing the atmosphere of the crowd, the horrific ice conditions and the intense level of play, it isn't long before it begins to feel repetitive. Games began to blend together and I found my mind wandering, wanting to get back into the political battles off the ice.
There’s no denying that Harper did his homework as there’s a wealth of information jammed between the covers. My main issue is that I think consuming the excellent narrative non-fiction books from Erik Larson (The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America, In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin) has lessened my appreciation for textbook style, info-dumping history pieces like Harper’s hockey book.
Also posted @ Every Read Thing
January 6, 2021
I will ignore the author (ugh!) and if I treat this as nothing more than an academic's history book...it's a solid history book. The research and the writing style are both very professional, but that's about all I can say...because I have no interest in hockey whatsoever. The best bits of this book were anything to do with early 20th century Canada & Toronto, and there was enough (at least in the opening quarter of the book) to see me through. However, as I have zero interest in the subject matter, I find the rest of the book nothing but a well-written curiosity. Fans of hockey history, however, will eat this up.
December 29, 2013
You really can't get more Canadian than having the Prime Minster of Canada writing a book on the early history of professional hockey in Toronto and the beginnings of the Maple Leafs and the NHL.
Mr. Harper certainly did his research. He presents his subject concisely with straight ahead prose.
A good read and one I enjoyed. Good on Mr. Harper donating the proceeds from this book to the families of those that served in the Canadian Military.
Mr. Harper certainly did his research. He presents his subject concisely with straight ahead prose.
A good read and one I enjoyed. Good on Mr. Harper donating the proceeds from this book to the families of those that served in the Canadian Military.
December 16, 2020
A book I've had on my shelves for a long while now, definitely worth the read! A really in-depth dive into the early years of hockey in Toronto, I thought the former PM did a great job in researching and telling the story of this long-forgotten era of our nation's national winter sport. The book covers the history that I am really interested in, both the history of hockey and the history of Toronto and early Canada. It led me to discover Arena Gardens, the old site of the original Toronto Hockey scene now turned into a parkette that was right under my nose and gave me insight into the shared history between the NHL's two historic franchises, the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens. Overall a really well-done book and a great historical research project, a little slow at times with a lot of names and dates but the last few chapters are definitely worth the effort.
July 20, 2019
Is there anything more statesmanly than a Canadian Prime Minister writing a book on hockey whilst still in office?
The book essentially details the pre-NHL era and rise of professional hockey, specifically in Toronto, as well as the so-called “Athletics War” over whether hockey players should receive compensation at all.
Harper also does an incredible job of blending the history of the sport with the atmosphere and feel of Canadian patriotism and British imperialism that dominated the Canadian conscience in the early days of the Dominion.
The book essentially details the pre-NHL era and rise of professional hockey, specifically in Toronto, as well as the so-called “Athletics War” over whether hockey players should receive compensation at all.
Harper also does an incredible job of blending the history of the sport with the atmosphere and feel of Canadian patriotism and British imperialism that dominated the Canadian conscience in the early days of the Dominion.
September 17, 2022
As an avid reader and purveyor of thrift stores, I would argue that are few books as ubiquitous on thrift shelves as there is A Great Game, then-sitting Prime Minister Stephen (J.) Harper's treatise on professional hockey in Toronto at the dawn of the 20th century.
I'm of two minds about this book. On one hand, it's a well-researched, compelling profile of a team and a time that have been 0ft-neglected in hockey history, and focuses on a handful of compelling characters with their own arcs and issues they had to overcome to push the team (which didn't even have an official name) from amateur to professional.
On the other, this is an absolute vanity work written by a sitting prime minister, "meticulously researched" over the course of several years. It smacks of egotism and begs questions of how effective Harper was in his job if he was spending a not-so-insignificant amount of time researching and writing this book.
The big problem I have with the book is that it comes across as overly clinical, written almost as a long-form university final thesis. There's not doubt that it's well-researched and competently written, but the material noticeably drags at points and you get the sense that the author is more in love with his own writing style as opposed to letting the spirit of the story and characters shine through. That, and Harper seems to argue that amateur hockey is nigh-useless and professional hockey is always going to rule the roost, ignoring the countless teams that have made their mark on small towns across the country because they were amateurs or untested.
It's a testament to editor/manuscript-reader/possibly-uncredited writer Roy McGregor (of Home Game and Escape fame) that the characters shine through as they did, and there are a lot of asides that give you a better feel for the flavour of Toronto as it stood at the dawn of the century.
In the end, I can only give A Great Game a conditional pass. Great if you want to learn more about local hockey history, but the writing style and circumstances behind the book's creation can put off some readers.
I'm of two minds about this book. On one hand, it's a well-researched, compelling profile of a team and a time that have been 0ft-neglected in hockey history, and focuses on a handful of compelling characters with their own arcs and issues they had to overcome to push the team (which didn't even have an official name) from amateur to professional.
On the other, this is an absolute vanity work written by a sitting prime minister, "meticulously researched" over the course of several years. It smacks of egotism and begs questions of how effective Harper was in his job if he was spending a not-so-insignificant amount of time researching and writing this book.
The big problem I have with the book is that it comes across as overly clinical, written almost as a long-form university final thesis. There's not doubt that it's well-researched and competently written, but the material noticeably drags at points and you get the sense that the author is more in love with his own writing style as opposed to letting the spirit of the story and characters shine through. That, and Harper seems to argue that amateur hockey is nigh-useless and professional hockey is always going to rule the roost, ignoring the countless teams that have made their mark on small towns across the country because they were amateurs or untested.
It's a testament to editor/manuscript-reader/possibly-uncredited writer Roy McGregor (of Home Game and Escape fame) that the characters shine through as they did, and there are a lot of asides that give you a better feel for the flavour of Toronto as it stood at the dawn of the century.
In the end, I can only give A Great Game a conditional pass. Great if you want to learn more about local hockey history, but the writing style and circumstances behind the book's creation can put off some readers.
February 21, 2014
I think it is only fair to address the fact that this book was written by the Prime Minister. The reaction of most people when they saw me reading this was fairly negative: "ew, Steven Harper." This is just silly and unfair. I have not voted for the guy, nor am I likely to in future, but he's not an evil man, and in fact, I wouldn't mind hanging out with him and talking hockey, based on the informative and conversational tone of this book. The acknowledgments note the hand of Roy Mcgregor as a significant editor, so I would not be surprised if he did write a lot of it. So maybe it Roy I'd want to hang out with. Still, all this aside, this was a very interesting book. It uncovers the history of pro hockey in its heartland, southern Ontario and Quebec, at the turn of the century. It's fairly descriptive, but it needs to be, given that it is based on a limited historical record. Harper makes good use of old newspaper stories to capture the feel of the era. The coolest thing that I learned from this book was that both the Leafs and the Habs come from the same lineage. One franchise was created, then sold, moved to Toronto, then restarted again in Montreal. Leafs and Canadiens, separated at birth!
January 5, 2014
Well written history of hockey in Canada before the NHL. There is much general history for the non-hockey fan as well. For the hockey historian this book is a treasure. Well done Mr. Harper.
February 19, 2023
I'm not a hockey fan. But I do like Stephen Harper. I like him even more after reading this book.
I admit it: I was a big supporter of Stephen Harper when he served as Canada's Prime Minister from 2006 to 2015. But even those who aren't Harper fans owe to themselves to read this exhaustively researched volume of the history of hockey in Canada.
Stephen Harper has always been a big fan of hockey, long known as Canada's game. But, growing up, his ability to play was hampered by physical limitations--chiefly asthma, if memory serves. But what Stephen Harper couldn't do as a hockey player, he has done brilliantly here as a hockey historian.
This book is exhaustively researched and written in an easy yet scholarly style. At times the text seems a bit dry as it lists hockey statistics. But then those minutiae are further evidence of Harper's love for the game.
What I found especially captivating was Harper's description of the early tension between amateur and professional hockey. Around the turn of the 20th century, top-notch amateur hockey was considered the Holy Grail of the game, and professional hockey players were viewed with suspicion. To those who thought this way, "going pro" was considered the ultimate betrayal, and disagreements over this question could and did lead to heated arguments, broken friendships, and even violent confrontations. Though we all recognize how different this is to today's world, you'll still find yourself in sympathy, as Harper himself clearly is, with those who elevated the amateurs. They brought a purity and simplicity to the game that is sorely missing from today's high-stakes, big-money hockey world.
Like I said, you don't have to be a fan of Stephen Harper's policies or politics to appreciate this book (though, in my case, it certainly helped). But any fan of hockey, history, or hockey history owes it to himself to read this book. In this highly readable and entertaining history of Canada's game, Stephen Harper shoots and scores. If hockey history had a Hall of Fame, Stephen Harper would be a shoo-in because of this book. Make it your goal to read Stephen Harper's "A Great Game." You'll be glad you did!
I admit it: I was a big supporter of Stephen Harper when he served as Canada's Prime Minister from 2006 to 2015. But even those who aren't Harper fans owe to themselves to read this exhaustively researched volume of the history of hockey in Canada.
Stephen Harper has always been a big fan of hockey, long known as Canada's game. But, growing up, his ability to play was hampered by physical limitations--chiefly asthma, if memory serves. But what Stephen Harper couldn't do as a hockey player, he has done brilliantly here as a hockey historian.
This book is exhaustively researched and written in an easy yet scholarly style. At times the text seems a bit dry as it lists hockey statistics. But then those minutiae are further evidence of Harper's love for the game.
What I found especially captivating was Harper's description of the early tension between amateur and professional hockey. Around the turn of the 20th century, top-notch amateur hockey was considered the Holy Grail of the game, and professional hockey players were viewed with suspicion. To those who thought this way, "going pro" was considered the ultimate betrayal, and disagreements over this question could and did lead to heated arguments, broken friendships, and even violent confrontations. Though we all recognize how different this is to today's world, you'll still find yourself in sympathy, as Harper himself clearly is, with those who elevated the amateurs. They brought a purity and simplicity to the game that is sorely missing from today's high-stakes, big-money hockey world.
Like I said, you don't have to be a fan of Stephen Harper's policies or politics to appreciate this book (though, in my case, it certainly helped). But any fan of hockey, history, or hockey history owes it to himself to read this book. In this highly readable and entertaining history of Canada's game, Stephen Harper shoots and scores. If hockey history had a Hall of Fame, Stephen Harper would be a shoo-in because of this book. Make it your goal to read Stephen Harper's "A Great Game." You'll be glad you did!
September 10, 2017
No one is more surprised and yet pleasantly so that I have found the first interest that Stephen Harper and I share! History, Canadian for that matter, and shockingly so for me - the growth of hockey in this country and in the United States.
Who knew?
I retrieved this book from my late father's library and admit I was off to a very slow start. However, I finally picked it up again and could not put it down. John Ross Robertson, Bruce Ridpath, Newsy Lalonde and on. Mr. Harper provides us with the machinations and shenanigans between two factions - the amateurs and the "rising" professionals, and their battles to maintain the top position philosophically and practically in the world of hockey. While many aspects have changed, the rigour, not to mention the violence, remains part of the culture, as well as the devotion, at times fanaticism of the fans. I enjoyed the writing, the detailed research and especially the "Overtime" chapter - where did they all end up? I am not at all a hockey aficionada, but I really enjoyed this book and do hope our former Prime Minister writes more, whether on this topic or others. I saw Mr. Harper's cameo on "Murdoch Mysteries" which suggested to me at the time that he may have a love of history; "A Great Game" proves this.
Who knew?
I retrieved this book from my late father's library and admit I was off to a very slow start. However, I finally picked it up again and could not put it down. John Ross Robertson, Bruce Ridpath, Newsy Lalonde and on. Mr. Harper provides us with the machinations and shenanigans between two factions - the amateurs and the "rising" professionals, and their battles to maintain the top position philosophically and practically in the world of hockey. While many aspects have changed, the rigour, not to mention the violence, remains part of the culture, as well as the devotion, at times fanaticism of the fans. I enjoyed the writing, the detailed research and especially the "Overtime" chapter - where did they all end up? I am not at all a hockey aficionada, but I really enjoyed this book and do hope our former Prime Minister writes more, whether on this topic or others. I saw Mr. Harper's cameo on "Murdoch Mysteries" which suggested to me at the time that he may have a love of history; "A Great Game" proves this.
May 20, 2020
While I did find this book to be very informative that taught me a lot of things about the rise of professional hockey that I previously had not known, I found this book to be almost like a long-winded essay that was longer then it needed to be to get all of the necessary information in. Also, because this book covers over two decades of early hockey history in Ontario and Quebec, it can be easy at times to get lost as to what is happening for there are many names and organizations that are mentioned over the course of the book. However, as I stated earlier, I found this book taught me quite a bit and that was the ultimate goal that I was hoping to achieve besides enjoying the book. Overall, I believe that Harper did an excellent job of combining all of his research as seen with the countless amounts of sources that were consulted to making this book effective at teaching what many people probably don't know much about.
May 10, 2021
Interesting book at times, it had its high points and its low points.
I found the first third of the book to be interesting but then I seemed to get bogged down and bored in the middle third; the final third of the book was much more interesting. (Kind of like a hockey game, eh? 😉)
It certainly informed me about many things of the early history of hockey in Canada and the professional sport (that eventually morphed into the NHL) of which I was not aware.
Not the best book about hockey that I’ve ever read, but also not the worst.
I found the first third of the book to be interesting but then I seemed to get bogged down and bored in the middle third; the final third of the book was much more interesting. (Kind of like a hockey game, eh? 😉)
It certainly informed me about many things of the early history of hockey in Canada and the professional sport (that eventually morphed into the NHL) of which I was not aware.
Not the best book about hockey that I’ve ever read, but also not the worst.
September 18, 2018
Written with clarity and purpose -- clearly, the work of someone who loves the game of ice-hockey. The warmth, with which Stephen Harper describes his characters, was surprising, but perhaps it shouldn't be, as I don't know the man, personally.
A note worthy contribution to the history of ice-hockey, and Canada, from one ice-hockey/ history buff to another: PM Harper to simple Canadian, American: Simon Creary. s.
A note worthy contribution to the history of ice-hockey, and Canada, from one ice-hockey/ history buff to another: PM Harper to simple Canadian, American: Simon Creary. s.
September 27, 2021
A deep dive into the rise of pro hockey in Toronto. The level of behind the scenes detail in the mercurial back and forth in the early years of the pro game is numbing at times. It is a book I picked up and set down a few times, bored with the plodding pace. But it gets the story in and sets the stage well for the rise of the NHL, the last couple chapters being by far the most engrossing of the book.
December 12, 2025
First off, Stephen Harper has more brains in his pinkie fingernail than his successor as PM has in his entire body. Harper writes well and is a research machine.
I give this one 3.5 ⭐️ because the subject matter only intermittently grabbed me. Not the fault of the author perhaps but nonetheless it’s a dry(ish) read that is heavily detailed and focused of scope.
I give this one 3.5 ⭐️ because the subject matter only intermittently grabbed me. Not the fault of the author perhaps but nonetheless it’s a dry(ish) read that is heavily detailed and focused of scope.
October 16, 2018
For the hockey fans out there, don't let the name deceive you. It's about so much more than the Leafs. This book rather looks into the evolution of hockey in its earliest days, leaving you with the feeling more connected to the complex organism that is the game of today.
November 15, 2020
Thought it would be boring but was actually pretty interesting. Took me back to a different time and also drew some links to how hockey works today. I think the last 1/4 was a bit dull but overall it surpassed by expectations.
January 31, 2023
Took a bit to get into it, but once I got going..wow. Had no idea of the battles in the early days. The fierce stance on amateur status. The bits and pieces from across Canada. If you love sports history, you love this book
March 23, 2017
I'm giving it only three stars, because while I found the information fascinating, it reads like a legal document. A well written book, regardless of topic, should have a rhythm. Like a well written song it should flow easily. Harper's writing has starts and stops. It's disjointed. I was forced to repeatedly refer back to earlier pages in order to figure out what the hell he was on about.
October 11, 2017
An enjoyable book that traces an interesting bit of history going on through political and economic turmoil.
June 19, 2019
Deep and inspiring read of hockey history leading up to the formation of the Toronto maple leafs.
February 20, 2021
One would have to be an ardent Maple Leafs fan to get past the yawn factor of this book.
February 14, 2025
Decent book. It didn't get enough attention when it was first released in my view
August 24, 2025
(Obviously a love letter to Canada through hockey. Prime Minster Harper is also obviously showing off here by showing how good of an author he was while being a PM at the time)
January 2, 2026
Very fun to learn about the progression of hockey throughout Toronto and the large battle waged between Amateurism and Professionalism that helped shape the game of hockey we know today.
January 18, 2026
lots of interesting historical information! too bad it was kind of boring lol
May 24, 2021
This book was okay, but not as good as other hockey books I’ve read, but still pretty okay. Harper offered a good perspective of old fashioned hockey, though.
April 17, 2014
As it's obligatory, I have to point out that I do not care fore Mr. Harper, his politics or his party.
With that out of the way, I went into this book with an expectation to glean some sort of political message from it. I was somewhat disappointed in that it's a rather straight forward and dispassionate account of the early days of hockey in Ontario and particularly Toronto. The most interesting parts of it where the intrigue of amateur v. professional and the leaders that argued that out in the press. It's kinda boring when it comes to the actual depictions of the games played.
If there is a political message in the book it is expressed in the first few and last chapters, it would be that the development of hockey, like the development of Canada and Capitalism, is intensively connected to our role in the British Empire. But that's a very small part of the book; Harper seems to be more interested in the stats and the individual players then other things.
I probably gave an extra star for how well the book is designed; It's a very attractive book, with full colour inserts and has an old-world hockey feel to it.
With that out of the way, I went into this book with an expectation to glean some sort of political message from it. I was somewhat disappointed in that it's a rather straight forward and dispassionate account of the early days of hockey in Ontario and particularly Toronto. The most interesting parts of it where the intrigue of amateur v. professional and the leaders that argued that out in the press. It's kinda boring when it comes to the actual depictions of the games played.
If there is a political message in the book it is expressed in the first few and last chapters, it would be that the development of hockey, like the development of Canada and Capitalism, is intensively connected to our role in the British Empire. But that's a very small part of the book; Harper seems to be more interested in the stats and the individual players then other things.
I probably gave an extra star for how well the book is designed; It's a very attractive book, with full colour inserts and has an old-world hockey feel to it.
March 1, 2014
"A Great Game" is a book that can be absolutely fascinating at its best, and a bit dull at its worst. This all really hinges upon how big of a hockey fan you are. For someone who's deeply passionate about the game, Harper's account of hockey's infancy can be very interesting. Watching how the sport has evolved since its inception on and off the ice. It is also a period of sports history that has been largely forgotten by hockey fans. If you told someone that teams like the Kenora Thistles battled for the Stanley Cup they might think you were making things up.
The one downfall I found in this book is a typical shortcoming in a lot of historical non-fiction. Somehow you've got to get those facts in, and at times they can pile up too frequently and give the impression of reading a textbook. Harper does fairly well to avoid this, but there are still instances (e.g. recounting team rosters many many times) where I found myself feeling a little bored. Still, it's a fascinating look into the world of hockey and the evolution of pro sport.
The one downfall I found in this book is a typical shortcoming in a lot of historical non-fiction. Somehow you've got to get those facts in, and at times they can pile up too frequently and give the impression of reading a textbook. Harper does fairly well to avoid this, but there are still instances (e.g. recounting team rosters many many times) where I found myself feeling a little bored. Still, it's a fascinating look into the world of hockey and the evolution of pro sport.
June 3, 2014
Although I am a fan if the PM and a huge hockey fan the most I could give this book is three stars.
It was well researched and I did learn a lot about the battles between the supporters of professionalism and the supporters of amateurism. However it was mostly a recounting of events that had very little analysis. The only real analysis came within the last few pages of book's final chapter.
This book is a good read for those really interested in the history of of our great sport but don't expect any thought provoking insights.
On an aside, this book should end any debate about whether the the PM is truly a hockey fan or has adopted the persona for political purposes. Only a true fan would have given up his precious spare time in order to conduct the required research and put the effort into writing this book.
It was well researched and I did learn a lot about the battles between the supporters of professionalism and the supporters of amateurism. However it was mostly a recounting of events that had very little analysis. The only real analysis came within the last few pages of book's final chapter.
This book is a good read for those really interested in the history of of our great sport but don't expect any thought provoking insights.
On an aside, this book should end any debate about whether the the PM is truly a hockey fan or has adopted the persona for political purposes. Only a true fan would have given up his precious spare time in order to conduct the required research and put the effort into writing this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews