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Unbreakable: 50 Goals in 39 Games: Wayne Gretzky and the Story of Hockey's Greatest Record
In only his 3rd NHL season, Wayne Gretzky set the unbeatable NHL record—scoring 50 goals in just 39 games. A book for the devoted Gretzky fans, and books like 99 by Al Strachan.
Unbreakable: 50 Goals in 39 Games, Wayne Gretzky and the Story of Hockey's Greatest Record sets out to chronicle that unforgettable streak of 39 games in the fall of 1981, when a 20-year-old wunderkind from the town of Brantford, Ontario, captured the imagination of not just the hockey world but the world at large and emerged as both the game's biggest star and it's most recognizable face.
Published on the 35th anniversary of this remarkable feat, the story of this unforgettable season is chronicled by renowned hockey authors Mike Brophy and Todd Denault. Based on new interviews with Wayne Gretzky and with those who surrounded him during his magical run at hockey's greatest record, Unbreakable: 50 Goals in 39 Games, Wayne Gretzky and the Story of Hockey's Greatest Record will detail on a game-by-game basis Gretzky's stellar run towards hockey immortality, through extensive research and the reminiscences of those who were there, including teammates, and players from opposing teams.
Unbreakable: 50 Goals in 39 Games, Wayne Gretzky and the Story of Hockey's Greatest Record sets out to chronicle that unforgettable streak of 39 games in the fall of 1981, when a 20-year-old wunderkind from the town of Brantford, Ontario, captured the imagination of not just the hockey world but the world at large and emerged as both the game's biggest star and it's most recognizable face.
Published on the 35th anniversary of this remarkable feat, the story of this unforgettable season is chronicled by renowned hockey authors Mike Brophy and Todd Denault. Based on new interviews with Wayne Gretzky and with those who surrounded him during his magical run at hockey's greatest record, Unbreakable: 50 Goals in 39 Games, Wayne Gretzky and the Story of Hockey's Greatest Record will detail on a game-by-game basis Gretzky's stellar run towards hockey immortality, through extensive research and the reminiscences of those who were there, including teammates, and players from opposing teams.
304 pages, Paperback
Published October 18, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 16, 2022
I am a huge hockey fan, and being Canadian, a huge Wayne Gretzky fan. He holds many NHL records and most people believe that some of them will never be broken. His 50 goals in 39 games is one. This book was written by Mike Brophy, a veteran journalist who covered hockey beginning in 1977. When I began reading this book, I wasn't sure if it was just going to be a regurgitation of the facts of his scoring streak, but it was more than that. Yes, it covered this scoring machine, but it also shared the story of the whole team, The Edmonton Oilers. He highlighted how Wayne's play made the others on his team play better and have their best seasons ever. I enjoyed hearing about all the other players that I also watched along the way. It also gives the history of the previous players who held the record of 50 goals in 50 games. It had a conversational tone and held my interest, while also educating me on the teams, the players and the records. If you are a hockey fan, this is one I would recommend.
October 3, 2016
Wayne Gretzky is one of the very few transcendent figures in sports in which even people who don’t follow sports know who he is. He practically rewrote the record book for professional hockey with his proficiency for scoring goals and setting up teammates to score as well. However, there was one record that held dear to his heart and that record is the subject of this game-by-game account for setting that record.
Gretzky has stated many times, and it is repeated more than once in the book, that his most cherished record came during the 1981-82 season when he scored 50 goals in the first 39 games of the season. Scoring 50 goals in 50 games was a cherished record in professional hockey, first done by Maurice “Rocket” Richard in the 1944-45 season and later done by Mike Bossy during the 1980-81 season.
The history of this record and how difficult it was to achieve was well documented in the introductory chapter by Brophy and Denault. This record was similar to Babe Ruth setting the home run record in baseball with 60 in 1927. Fans and media personnel loyal to Richard questioned every threat to the record, much like the fuss when Roger Maris broke Ruth’s record. The section on the history of this hallowed record was a very good table setter for the rest of the book and was my favorite section.
However, this is not to shortchange the bulk of the book, which is a game-by-game account of the Edmonton Oilers’ first 39 games of the 1981-82 season. It is more than just newspaper accounts of what Gretzky did in those games. Each game chapter has information on the team, the league, the style of the game at that time (hint: there was a LOT of scoring) and also snippets on many of Gretzky’s Edmonton teammates. These were very interesting as well. Of course, there were stories about other Oiler players who were stars such as Mark Messier and Paul Coffey. However, many other teammates were featured in the book as well, such as journeyman Dave Lumley (who scored in 12 consecutive games) and enforcer Marty McSorely. Between stories about these players and a description of the many goals scored by Gretzky and the Oilers, each game recap was a trip down memory lane of that era of hockey when scoring was at an all-time high.
As a fan of the game who enjoyed that era, this book was a great trip down memory lane and was a fantastic read about one of the most hallowed records in sports. Any hockey fan or fan of Wayne Gretzky will want to add this one to his or her bookshelf as it is a terrific account of one of the most incredible individual accomplishments in hockey history.
I wish to thank McClelland and Stewart for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
Gretzky has stated many times, and it is repeated more than once in the book, that his most cherished record came during the 1981-82 season when he scored 50 goals in the first 39 games of the season. Scoring 50 goals in 50 games was a cherished record in professional hockey, first done by Maurice “Rocket” Richard in the 1944-45 season and later done by Mike Bossy during the 1980-81 season.
The history of this record and how difficult it was to achieve was well documented in the introductory chapter by Brophy and Denault. This record was similar to Babe Ruth setting the home run record in baseball with 60 in 1927. Fans and media personnel loyal to Richard questioned every threat to the record, much like the fuss when Roger Maris broke Ruth’s record. The section on the history of this hallowed record was a very good table setter for the rest of the book and was my favorite section.
However, this is not to shortchange the bulk of the book, which is a game-by-game account of the Edmonton Oilers’ first 39 games of the 1981-82 season. It is more than just newspaper accounts of what Gretzky did in those games. Each game chapter has information on the team, the league, the style of the game at that time (hint: there was a LOT of scoring) and also snippets on many of Gretzky’s Edmonton teammates. These were very interesting as well. Of course, there were stories about other Oiler players who were stars such as Mark Messier and Paul Coffey. However, many other teammates were featured in the book as well, such as journeyman Dave Lumley (who scored in 12 consecutive games) and enforcer Marty McSorely. Between stories about these players and a description of the many goals scored by Gretzky and the Oilers, each game recap was a trip down memory lane of that era of hockey when scoring was at an all-time high.
As a fan of the game who enjoyed that era, this book was a great trip down memory lane and was a fantastic read about one of the most hallowed records in sports. Any hockey fan or fan of Wayne Gretzky will want to add this one to his or her bookshelf as it is a terrific account of one of the most incredible individual accomplishments in hockey history.
I wish to thank McClelland and Stewart for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
March 18, 2023
Really good book on Wayne Gretzky and the fall/winter of 1981 when the "Great One" attempted to score 50 goals in 50 games. He did it...in 39 games. The milestone is almost hard to believe now, but this book describes the three months in which the epic hockey player made history. Each game is chronicled and there are good stories about all the Oiler players, not just Gretzky. A very enjoyable read and a must for hockey fans.
March 8, 2018
A fun and uncritical read of a hockey myth! Thoroughly enjoyable, and I really liked the structure - game by game, with information about the season and the league etc as it could fit in. Super attached to Gretzky the superhuman but I'm pretty okay with that.
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March 3, 2020I haven't read this book. However, I had one when I was a kid that was exactly the same idea - it was a game-by-game account of Gretzky's never-to be repeated 1981-82 season. Must have come out in 1982 or 1983. Anyone know what that title is called?
September 8, 2020
A game-by-game look at one of Gretzky's most famous records. Every one of the 39 games is gone over in detail, given at least a couple pages for each, and noting not just Gretzky's efforts but those of his teammates and opponents. It gives context to how things went throughout the first part of the season, and while the rest of the season is only touched on briefly, it is still a neat look at the record.
October 30, 2019
This book was published in 1996 but I just got around to reading it. The author takes you through the year of Wayne Gretsky amazing 50 goals in 39 games. At only 20 years old this really set the newspapers on fire at least the sports pages. The author takes you through the games and also new interviews with players and people who were around for those moments. I can only imagine what it was like being there for those games. Seeing Gretsky play when he was traded to the Kings much later was a sight to be seen so back then would have been really special. The author does a good job of making you feel part of that time which is difficult. I found this book to be an enjoyable read, and I think it would be for any hockey fan. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
November 14, 2016
Its a really interesting read for all ice hockey fans, young and old. There are some great stories too of players names you are guaranteed to recognise. If you love Ice Hockey this book is for you.
July 17, 2018
Great read
I loved this book. I would recommend this to any fan of Gretzky’s hockey fans or sports fans. This just proves how good he truly was.
I loved this book. I would recommend this to any fan of Gretzky’s hockey fans or sports fans. This just proves how good he truly was.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews