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The Breakaway: The Inside Story of the Wirtz Family Business and the Chicago Blackhawks
“This is a terrific book, a dramatic family saga told in artful prose and filled with emotional turmoil, a few surprisingly touching moments but enough dysfunction for a couple of Eugene O’Neill plays.” —Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune
When Rocky Wirtz took over the Wirtz Corporation in 2007, including management of the Chicago Blackhawks, the fiercely beloved hockey team had fallen to a humiliating nadir. As chronic losers playing to a deserted stadium, they were worse than bad—they were irrelevant. ESPN named the franchise the worst in all of sports. Rocky's resurrection of the team's fortunes was—publicly, at least—a feel-good tale of shrewd acumen. Behind the scenes, however, it would trigger a father, son, and brother-against-brother drama of Shakespearean proportions. The Breakaway reveals that untold story.
Arthur Wirtz founded the family's business empire during the Depression. From roots in real estate, "King Arthur" soon expanded into liquor and banking, running his operations with an iron hand and a devotion to profit that earned him the nickname Baron of the Bottom Line. His son Bill further expanded the conglomerate, taking the helm of the Blackhawks in 1966. "Dollar Bill" Wirtz demanded unflinching adherence to Arthur's traditions and was notorious for an equally fierce temperament.
Yet when Rocky took the reins of the business after Bill's death, it was an organization out of step with the times and financially adrift. The Hawks weren't only failing on the ice—the parlous state of the team's finances imperiled every facet of the Wirtz empire. To save the team and the company, Rocky launched a radical turnaround campaign. Yet his modest proposal to televise the Hawks' home games provoked fierce opposition from Wirtz family insiders, who considered any deviation from Arthur and Bill's doctrines to be heresy.
Rocky's break with the edicts of his grandfather and father led to a reversal for the ages—three Stanley Cup championships in six years, a feat Fortune magazine called "the greatest turnaround in sports business history." But this resurrection came at a price, a fracturing of Rocky's relationships with his brother and other siblings. In riveting prose that recounts a story spanning three generations, The Breakaway reveals an insider's view of a brilliant but difficult Chicago business and sports dynasty and the inspiring story of perseverance and courage in the face of intense family pressures.
When Rocky Wirtz took over the Wirtz Corporation in 2007, including management of the Chicago Blackhawks, the fiercely beloved hockey team had fallen to a humiliating nadir. As chronic losers playing to a deserted stadium, they were worse than bad—they were irrelevant. ESPN named the franchise the worst in all of sports. Rocky's resurrection of the team's fortunes was—publicly, at least—a feel-good tale of shrewd acumen. Behind the scenes, however, it would trigger a father, son, and brother-against-brother drama of Shakespearean proportions. The Breakaway reveals that untold story.
Arthur Wirtz founded the family's business empire during the Depression. From roots in real estate, "King Arthur" soon expanded into liquor and banking, running his operations with an iron hand and a devotion to profit that earned him the nickname Baron of the Bottom Line. His son Bill further expanded the conglomerate, taking the helm of the Blackhawks in 1966. "Dollar Bill" Wirtz demanded unflinching adherence to Arthur's traditions and was notorious for an equally fierce temperament.
Yet when Rocky took the reins of the business after Bill's death, it was an organization out of step with the times and financially adrift. The Hawks weren't only failing on the ice—the parlous state of the team's finances imperiled every facet of the Wirtz empire. To save the team and the company, Rocky launched a radical turnaround campaign. Yet his modest proposal to televise the Hawks' home games provoked fierce opposition from Wirtz family insiders, who considered any deviation from Arthur and Bill's doctrines to be heresy.
Rocky's break with the edicts of his grandfather and father led to a reversal for the ages—three Stanley Cup championships in six years, a feat Fortune magazine called "the greatest turnaround in sports business history." But this resurrection came at a price, a fracturing of Rocky's relationships with his brother and other siblings. In riveting prose that recounts a story spanning three generations, The Breakaway reveals an insider's view of a brilliant but difficult Chicago business and sports dynasty and the inspiring story of perseverance and courage in the face of intense family pressures.
- GenresHockeySportsNonfiction
248 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2018
25 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Smith
1 bookBryan Smith is a senior writer at Chicago magazine and a contributing editor for Men's Health. He is a two-time winner and six-time finalist for the National City and Regional Magazine Association's Writer of the Year award.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 30, 2025
the Wirtz family is my version of the royal family. also, i haven't watched succession but i imagine its a lot like this book. the amount of personal conflict and death in this book makes me appreciate the legacy of the family even more. It doesn't just humanize the business, but it also offers a unique perspective of Chicago history (the stadiums, prohibition, etc..). understanding the context behind all the ownership changes makes the bumpy history of the org make more sense. It is interesting how different Wirtz men valued different things, and how their headstrong business opinions influenced the team's public image, alumni relationships or on-ice product. this book is really framed as how Rocky turned the franchise around a few years before the Cup runs, but I'd say the large section during Bill's tenure is the loudest and most interesting part of the book (maybe that's just because i was the most unaware of it).
my fandom only represents about 30 pages in this book, but it was really cool to contextualize what was happening right before i became conscience of the team (the firing/hiring of coaches, the GM at the time and the signings of iconic players like Hossa + Campbell).
Not sure how interesting this book will be to a neutral reader, but I wanted to give it a read before leaving the team. I like how fair the writer is, not being afraid to criticize the family. If there is ever another Wirtz book in the future, regardless of time period or topic, i'd be sat.
my fandom only represents about 30 pages in this book, but it was really cool to contextualize what was happening right before i became conscience of the team (the firing/hiring of coaches, the GM at the time and the signings of iconic players like Hossa + Campbell).
Not sure how interesting this book will be to a neutral reader, but I wanted to give it a read before leaving the team. I like how fair the writer is, not being afraid to criticize the family. If there is ever another Wirtz book in the future, regardless of time period or topic, i'd be sat.
July 14, 2018
It seems hard to believe now, but not long before the Chicago Blackhawks put together an impressive run of three Stanley Cup championships in six years, the franchise was dreadful both on and off the ice. In 2007, the team missed the playoffs for the ninth time in ten seasons and also lost thirty million dollars that season. It was also the year that second generation owner Bill Wirtz died and when his son Rocky (short for Rockwell, his middle name) had a ceremony before the opening game of the 2007-08 season, Bill was booed loudly by the fans in attendance.
Given that backdrop, it is easy to see that Rocky turned the franchise around very quickly and that is the basis of this excellent book by Bryan Smith, a senior writer for Chicago and Men’s Health magazines. Not only are Bill and Rocky portrayed in the book, but the man who started the Wirtz enterprise, Arthur, is covered as well. The reader will learn much about the Wirtz men, their business acumen and their management of one of the “Original Six” NHL franchises.
While a very fair and balanced account, this book does not paint a pretty picture of the Wirtz family. Their idiosyncrasies and refusal to change long-held traditions are explored in depth and how some of them led to the dire straits the Blackhawks found themselves in. One of the most famous examples of this was the long-standing Wirtz policy of refusing to televise home Blackhawk games, fearing it would keep fans away from the arena. When Rocky ended the long-standing policy in his first year of running the team, the cheers were as loud as any that came when the team won the Stanley Cup.
This is not to say everything written and said about Arthur and Bill Wirtz was negative. Indeed, Arthur oversaw a team that had superstars such as Bobby Hull, Pierre Pilote and Stan Mikita. Their Stanley Cup championship in 1961 was thought to be the first of several for the team, but their misfortunes came soon thereafter. When Bobby Hull left the Blackhawks to sign with the Winnipeg Jets of the new World Hockey Association in 1972, it was the low point for Arthur’s tenure. Bill Wirtz took over upon Arthur’s death in 1983 and because of his fierce loyalty to his father, he refused to change much. This led to the decline of the franchise and also led to some very negative press.
Rocky’s tenure was marked not only by the rapid rise of the franchise, but also some interesting family dynamics with his siblings. The story of his brother Peter is very interesting reading as is some of the smaller changes made as well as the bigger ones. One very interesting tale is when Rocky moved into Arthur’s old office after Bill refused to use it or remove anything from it, treating it like a shrine. Rocky decided that it was time for the office to be changed and utilized, a symbol of his plans for the Blackhawks.
This is an excellent book for readers who are Blackhawks fans, who enjoy reading about sports management or who want to learn more about the Wirtz family.
I wish to thank Northwestern University Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
Given that backdrop, it is easy to see that Rocky turned the franchise around very quickly and that is the basis of this excellent book by Bryan Smith, a senior writer for Chicago and Men’s Health magazines. Not only are Bill and Rocky portrayed in the book, but the man who started the Wirtz enterprise, Arthur, is covered as well. The reader will learn much about the Wirtz men, their business acumen and their management of one of the “Original Six” NHL franchises.
While a very fair and balanced account, this book does not paint a pretty picture of the Wirtz family. Their idiosyncrasies and refusal to change long-held traditions are explored in depth and how some of them led to the dire straits the Blackhawks found themselves in. One of the most famous examples of this was the long-standing Wirtz policy of refusing to televise home Blackhawk games, fearing it would keep fans away from the arena. When Rocky ended the long-standing policy in his first year of running the team, the cheers were as loud as any that came when the team won the Stanley Cup.
This is not to say everything written and said about Arthur and Bill Wirtz was negative. Indeed, Arthur oversaw a team that had superstars such as Bobby Hull, Pierre Pilote and Stan Mikita. Their Stanley Cup championship in 1961 was thought to be the first of several for the team, but their misfortunes came soon thereafter. When Bobby Hull left the Blackhawks to sign with the Winnipeg Jets of the new World Hockey Association in 1972, it was the low point for Arthur’s tenure. Bill Wirtz took over upon Arthur’s death in 1983 and because of his fierce loyalty to his father, he refused to change much. This led to the decline of the franchise and also led to some very negative press.
Rocky’s tenure was marked not only by the rapid rise of the franchise, but also some interesting family dynamics with his siblings. The story of his brother Peter is very interesting reading as is some of the smaller changes made as well as the bigger ones. One very interesting tale is when Rocky moved into Arthur’s old office after Bill refused to use it or remove anything from it, treating it like a shrine. Rocky decided that it was time for the office to be changed and utilized, a symbol of his plans for the Blackhawks.
This is an excellent book for readers who are Blackhawks fans, who enjoy reading about sports management or who want to learn more about the Wirtz family.
I wish to thank Northwestern University Press for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
December 14, 2018
Everyone reading this review knows the old Tolstoy line about families: "All happy families resemble each other: each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way". That's certainly the case of the Wirtz family in Chicago. Longtime owners of businesses ranging from liquor wholesalers to owners of large real estate holdings, they're maybe best known for their ownership of the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team. The Hawks - one of the original six teams in the NHL - have usually been considered the least of the main Chicago sports teams after the Cubs, the Sox, the Bears, and the Bulls. Their win/lose record has been uneven at best and prior to their 2010 Stanley Cup win, they hadn't won the cup in almost 50 years. Bad, indifferent, and just-plain-stingy management has been blamed for the Hawks lack of success and lack of popularity in our city. The Wirtz family has owned and operated the Blackhawks almost since they were founded.
"The Breakaway: The Inside Story of the Wirtz Family Business and the Chicago Blackhawks", was written by Bryan Smith. Smith has written about sports and other local features in Chicago and he's a very smooth writer. He was greatly aided in the story about - basically - of how the Blackhawks were rescued from the proverbial glue factory and given new life and glory - winners of three Stanley Cups - by William Rockwell Wirtz. Rocky Wirtz is the third-in-line of Wirtz company owners after his grandfather, Arthur and his father, Bill. The Wirtz family is known in Chicago as an unhappy family. (And after reading this book, I can see why.)
Anyway, Bryan Smith's book gives a pretty good look at the inner-workings of a multi-generational dysfunctional family. Rocky Wirtz is the hero of the story, having been the butt of his father Bill's anger and spitefulness since he reached adulthood. I suppose Freud would have a field-day looking at the dynamics of the Wirtz family. Grandfather-father-son- how the mingled passions of love and hate get passed on as a poisonous legacy.
But along with the family angst, Smith's story is the literal resurrection of the Chicago Blackhawks. After years of putting little money into the organisation, Rocky Wirtz changed things around. Games, which had never been shown on TV under his father's rule, were now broadcast. New fans were created as the game of ice hockey was actually shown on TV. And showing the games brought fans to the games. Money was spent upgrading everything from the Hawk's front office to their players. Chicagoans began caring about their Blackhawks because the Wirtz family began caring.
Bryan Smith's book is very good. My only (sort of) complaint is that Smith didn't interview Rocky's brother and sisters for the book. But they evidently refused to be interviewed, so there is that.
"The Breakaway: The Inside Story of the Wirtz Family Business and the Chicago Blackhawks", was written by Bryan Smith. Smith has written about sports and other local features in Chicago and he's a very smooth writer. He was greatly aided in the story about - basically - of how the Blackhawks were rescued from the proverbial glue factory and given new life and glory - winners of three Stanley Cups - by William Rockwell Wirtz. Rocky Wirtz is the third-in-line of Wirtz company owners after his grandfather, Arthur and his father, Bill. The Wirtz family is known in Chicago as an unhappy family. (And after reading this book, I can see why.)
Anyway, Bryan Smith's book gives a pretty good look at the inner-workings of a multi-generational dysfunctional family. Rocky Wirtz is the hero of the story, having been the butt of his father Bill's anger and spitefulness since he reached adulthood. I suppose Freud would have a field-day looking at the dynamics of the Wirtz family. Grandfather-father-son- how the mingled passions of love and hate get passed on as a poisonous legacy.
But along with the family angst, Smith's story is the literal resurrection of the Chicago Blackhawks. After years of putting little money into the organisation, Rocky Wirtz changed things around. Games, which had never been shown on TV under his father's rule, were now broadcast. New fans were created as the game of ice hockey was actually shown on TV. And showing the games brought fans to the games. Money was spent upgrading everything from the Hawk's front office to their players. Chicagoans began caring about their Blackhawks because the Wirtz family began caring.
Bryan Smith's book is very good. My only (sort of) complaint is that Smith didn't interview Rocky's brother and sisters for the book. But they evidently refused to be interviewed, so there is that.
May 28, 2019
I was a transplant into the Chicago area with a fledgling enjoyment/love of hockey, having followed the Penguins since roughly the start of the Sidney Crosby era. While the Penguins are clearly and obviously the best hockey team ever, I like to think landing in Chicago at a time where the Blackhawks were kings of the world did a lot for my hockey staying power. In those waning, at time apocalyptic, late years of the Shero era, I found some comfort in enjoying the Blackhawks run roughshod. And, the year where they started their own decline/slip, the Penguins traded for Phil the Thrill and won back-to-back cups.
But that's neither here nor there. The Breakaway was a great book to read. Again, Pittsburgh had its fair share of hockey-related drama in my high school years. While I know there's intrigue to be dug up there (and apparently a book with the same exact title as this one), that doesn't undermine just how intriguing and amusing the story in this book is. My fiancee's father would frequently recount how much he hated the Wirtz's growing up, and it was easy to understand after reading this book.
That said, there's a lot that's left out of this book. I wanted more dirt on the hows and whys of the hatred between this family. Surely, Rocky Wirtz isn't some saint incarnate. I know that the other members of the family didn't want any part of the book, but I have to imagine there was more to unearth there. Perhaps Rocky's son will have a book someday? I also felt it weird that the book just abruptly ends after the first Cup parade, with a passing mention of the next few years. Surely, there had to be more of a story in the next few years, as the franchise flew to new highs as the face of the NHL? I find it shocking, after the tales of intrigue, that all was happy and calm at the highest echelons of the organization's ruling family, especially with all that success.
Nevertheless, this is an easy and engaging book to read, whether you're a giant fan of sports of hockey. There's a Game of Thrones aspect in all the treachery that unfolded in the 1990s and 2000s that's very much in line with what you expect of rich Chicago families.
But that's neither here nor there. The Breakaway was a great book to read. Again, Pittsburgh had its fair share of hockey-related drama in my high school years. While I know there's intrigue to be dug up there (and apparently a book with the same exact title as this one), that doesn't undermine just how intriguing and amusing the story in this book is. My fiancee's father would frequently recount how much he hated the Wirtz's growing up, and it was easy to understand after reading this book.
That said, there's a lot that's left out of this book. I wanted more dirt on the hows and whys of the hatred between this family. Surely, Rocky Wirtz isn't some saint incarnate. I know that the other members of the family didn't want any part of the book, but I have to imagine there was more to unearth there. Perhaps Rocky's son will have a book someday? I also felt it weird that the book just abruptly ends after the first Cup parade, with a passing mention of the next few years. Surely, there had to be more of a story in the next few years, as the franchise flew to new highs as the face of the NHL? I find it shocking, after the tales of intrigue, that all was happy and calm at the highest echelons of the organization's ruling family, especially with all that success.
Nevertheless, this is an easy and engaging book to read, whether you're a giant fan of sports of hockey. There's a Game of Thrones aspect in all the treachery that unfolded in the 1990s and 2000s that's very much in line with what you expect of rich Chicago families.
October 8, 2018
As a lifelong Blackhawks fan and a member of the Chicago business community, I was quick to get and inhale this book. I knew just about everything about the team, its players and their accomplishments. What I did not know about was the untold story of how it came to be that Rocky Wirtz, oldest son of legendary Blackhawk owner Bill Wirtz, would take over management of the team after his father’s death. Rocky had disassociated himself from the team and, for all intents and purposes, his father for many years. His younger brother, Peter, seemed to be the heir apparent as Peter loyally served his father in the front office of the Blackhawks.
The author does a good job of explaining the family dynamics, which was mostly sad to read. Besides Rocky’s distant relationship with his father, he also became estranged from his siblings while overseeing the unbelievable turnaround in the Blackhawks’ fortunes.
I am really surprised that Rocky is promoting this book. The book properly credits him for his role in fixing the Blackhawks, but also covers his aforementioned family woes and his broken marriage.
A very interesting read. I find myself asking why, despite all his success in reviving the Blackhawks and leading the Wirtz family liquor business to tremendous success, his family relationships were so fractured. I did not see any actions Rocky took that caused this, other than that he changed the business practices of his father that had caused the Blackhawks to be a failure on and off the ice.
The author does a good job of explaining the family dynamics, which was mostly sad to read. Besides Rocky’s distant relationship with his father, he also became estranged from his siblings while overseeing the unbelievable turnaround in the Blackhawks’ fortunes.
I am really surprised that Rocky is promoting this book. The book properly credits him for his role in fixing the Blackhawks, but also covers his aforementioned family woes and his broken marriage.
A very interesting read. I find myself asking why, despite all his success in reviving the Blackhawks and leading the Wirtz family liquor business to tremendous success, his family relationships were so fractured. I did not see any actions Rocky took that caused this, other than that he changed the business practices of his father that had caused the Blackhawks to be a failure on and off the ice.
October 31, 2018
This was a fascinating examination of the Blackhawks' rise and fall and rise, over nearly a century and a history making run of 3 Stanley Cups since 2010.
As a fan of the St. Louis Blues (one of the 'Hawks main division rivals), I came to the story with nearly no investment in the outcomes one way or the other. Coach Q spent some great years in STL but didn't win the championship until he landed in CHI. I've always joked about the Blues being the Ozzy Osbourne of hockey, in that players/coaches will leave the organ-i-zation and win the Stanley Cup elsewhere. It has happened so many times, it's ridiculous.
Anyway, this was a Dynasty-level epic drama of infighting, family estrangement, bad decisions and grudges that fell onto the strong shoulders of Rocky Wirtz. He managed to save the franchise, though he lost the trust of his siblings to do it (and the rift w/his brother and sisters actually wasn't even his fault). They done Rocky so wrong, and all he wanted was what was best for the businesses he was placed in charge of.
Recommended for fans of drama, sportswriting that is NOT boring, and hardcore hockey fans.
As a fan of the St. Louis Blues (one of the 'Hawks main division rivals), I came to the story with nearly no investment in the outcomes one way or the other. Coach Q spent some great years in STL but didn't win the championship until he landed in CHI. I've always joked about the Blues being the Ozzy Osbourne of hockey, in that players/coaches will leave the organ-i-zation and win the Stanley Cup elsewhere. It has happened so many times, it's ridiculous.
Anyway, this was a Dynasty-level epic drama of infighting, family estrangement, bad decisions and grudges that fell onto the strong shoulders of Rocky Wirtz. He managed to save the franchise, though he lost the trust of his siblings to do it (and the rift w/his brother and sisters actually wasn't even his fault). They done Rocky so wrong, and all he wanted was what was best for the businesses he was placed in charge of.
Recommended for fans of drama, sportswriting that is NOT boring, and hardcore hockey fans.
May 1, 2020
The rating is only so high because the Hawks are my team, so the extra interest is there. And any book which highlights the three Cups is always going to score highly with me.
I’m a fan of sports history, and sports business, so it was great to get that insight on a franchise I follow. Not being from Chicago, I didn’t know much about the drama within the family. A shame that despite their successes in all their businesses, the family was ripped apart.
However, I am aware this is just Rocky’s side of the story. And while I don’t think that it’s untrue, it would be interesting to hear his brother’s thoughts, especially since the turnaround of the team’s fortunes.
It was an interesting time to be reading this, as McDonough is lauded in the second half of the book as being a major player in the turnaround (which I believe), yet he was fired just a couple of days ago (which I didn’t think was the right move). Maybe Rocky is planning a sequel...
If you’re a Hawks fan, you’d definitely enjoy this.
I’m a fan of sports history, and sports business, so it was great to get that insight on a franchise I follow. Not being from Chicago, I didn’t know much about the drama within the family. A shame that despite their successes in all their businesses, the family was ripped apart.
However, I am aware this is just Rocky’s side of the story. And while I don’t think that it’s untrue, it would be interesting to hear his brother’s thoughts, especially since the turnaround of the team’s fortunes.
It was an interesting time to be reading this, as McDonough is lauded in the second half of the book as being a major player in the turnaround (which I believe), yet he was fired just a couple of days ago (which I didn’t think was the right move). Maybe Rocky is planning a sequel...
If you’re a Hawks fan, you’d definitely enjoy this.
August 19, 2021
Gets an extra star because it is about the Blackhawks. Otherwise, this is one of the most poorly written books I have read in a very long while. A lot of that probably has to do with the fact that the author's sources are Rocky and a few of his close friends and that much of the book deals with Rocky's relationships with his family as told solely from Rocky's point of view. I know I really don't care about whether Bill was a loving father or Peter was an ass-kissing brown nose and I'm not sure why Rocky cares at this point either. Rocky will be an icon in Chicago for a very long while for taking a franchise that was circling the toilet bowl an elevating it to a three time world champion. Maybe the icon status will go to hell damn smash once more details about the Hawks' resident molester are disclosed. Somebody should write a book about the Wirtz Family and its impact on Chicago. This book ain't it.
December 25, 2018
I've been a Chicago Blackhawks fan for a long time and recall Montreal skating off with the cup in the early-mid 70s. I'm familiar with a lot of their history but it was fun to read the details about Arthur, Bill, and then Rocky's leadership styles, failures, and successes in running the team. Rocky certainly put a genuine effort to improving the franchise from one of the worst to one of the best. Great read
August 20, 2019
An in-depth look at the dysfunction within the Wirtz family along with the amazing resurgence of the Chicago Blackhawks. An excellent read.The Breakaway: The Inside Story of the Wirtz Family Business and the Chicago Blackhawks
December 29, 2025
It’s an interesting story of the Blackhawks before they became a dynasty. It also shows the impact of being cheap, needing blind loyalty, and being generally angry.
I would find it more fascinating to give us more detail on what the Wirtz household was actually like. We got a glimpse. I would want to know more of why they behaved the way that they did. They seem like an angry lot. That might be another book, though.
I would find it more fascinating to give us more detail on what the Wirtz household was actually like. We got a glimpse. I would want to know more of why they behaved the way that they did. They seem like an angry lot. That might be another book, though.
January 9, 2019
This was a great book. Learn how Rocky, NOT Peter fashioned control of the Blackhawks franchise. And in the process, learn the inner battle within the Wirtz family.
Rocky is definitely not his father, but you learn more about Dollar Bill, and what he faced, and why he was loyal to a few, and very stingy to others.
Rocky is definitely not his father, but you learn more about Dollar Bill, and what he faced, and why he was loyal to a few, and very stingy to others.
February 18, 2019
Perhaps the definitive revelation of how the one-time worst franchise in North American professional team sports grew into one of its league’s standard bearers, The Breakaway also details the truly sad dissolution of relationships between father and son, brother and brother, and brother and sisters over petty grievances both real and imagined.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2019
I believe the ultimate triumph of Rocky Wirtz indicates nobody has it easy in a family business. Does not matter if it is a hot dog stand or the Wirtx financial empire. Rocky Wirtz underwent all kinds of family obstacles and torment and has seemingly overcome them. Something tells me the struggle continues.
March 29, 2020
I'm no hard-core hockey fan, but picked this up and started reading and couldn't stop. The story of the Wirtz family and the Chicago Blackhawks was--surprise!--entertaining and interesting. Really! (Maybe it was the recognition of so many landmarks in the burbs of Chicago, or some distant family tie to the Wirtz family, but I was shocked that I kept going back for more.)
March 4, 2025
This book preys on the Blackhawks fandom like Bill Wirtz himself. Just a money grab.
Terrible writing. Jumps haphazardly from one topic to the next.
Extremely boring historical information without amusing anecdotes.
Would hold no weight for non-hawks fans so don't even bother if you're not one.
Some really interesting parts mixed in.
Terrible writing. Jumps haphazardly from one topic to the next.
Extremely boring historical information without amusing anecdotes.
Would hold no weight for non-hawks fans so don't even bother if you're not one.
Some really interesting parts mixed in.
December 19, 2018
4.5 stars. I loved the inside looks at both the Wirtz family turmoil and the Hawks’ Cup runs! But not having access to any of Rocky’s siblings hurt the overall telling of the story. Still, a great read by a fantastic writer!
January 18, 2019
Showed an in depth look into the Blackhawks and the Wirtz family business. Amazing to believe that Rocky was able to overcome all the negative pressures and neigh-sayers in his life, he truly deserves it all.
June 28, 2024
bill wirtz is kind of a nasty guy and this was way more about business than building the actual 2010 cub run. cool to see where all the names came from i guess but i wanted something different than what this had to offer
October 21, 2018
Must read for Blackhawk and hockey fans.
January 15, 2019
Fascinating. **cue Chelsea Dagger** And sad about the discord in the Wirtz family.
January 27, 2019
Seemed like a commissioned biography.
February 19, 2019
The history of the hockey team from the perspective of the ownership family.
April 22, 2019
Great read on the inside workings of the Wirtz family and just what Rocky had to deal with in bringing the Blackhawks back to greatness.
September 3, 2019
Great book for all those long time suffering Blackhawk fans (until Rocky took over). Good stuff, Maynard, as Dobie would say.
March 2, 2021
Amazing, deep look into the Wirtz family and the Chicago Blackhawks. Even for a part time fan, a truly enjoyable read.
July 22, 2019
A really interesting behind the scenes look at how Rocky Wirtz turned around the Blackhawks and the strained family relationships it caused
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews