Customer Reviews

From Behind the Red Line: A North American Hockey Player in Russia

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of the best books I have read on hockey. It is an easy read and believe me, once you pick it up it will be hard to put it down. If you love hockey, this is for you. It is a behind the scenes look at communist times Russia. It really opened my eyes to the hardships these players have to endure to make it in hockey. All along you are able to relate to all the Russian players, and to realize that they are so similar to us Americans!
My son is an aspiring NHL'er and he has agreed to read it. One of his trainers is mentioned in the book. I have read him passages and now we both have the greatest respect for this man. Just reading about what they have to endure, you will know just how privileged we are to live in the States.
I believe you won't be dissapointed if you read this book

I have not read a book for fun in 4 years! I am a college student, so I have read plent of required stuff, but nothing out of my own ambition. I happened upon this book in the bookstore the other day, and it looked interesting. I have now read it, and I liked it so much that I came here feeling I HAD to let other people know how good it was! I am sure it helps that I love hockey, and being from Detroit, I am automatically interested in russians and hockey. It was VERY INTERESTING, and also hilarious. The author wasn't afraid to tell of things such as the teams' joking about the size of a fellow teammates....um....dong. I hope i can atleast say that.

Anyhow, I loved it, and i hope you will to.

A few years back, the late and lamented Winnipeg Jets inexplicably sent a young Harvard-educated prospect to Kiev to learn Russian-style hockey. I'm not sure it helped him, because I don't think he ever played a game in the NHL. But what a window on life in the new Russia! Really more cultural history than hockey bio, although a couple of Hartje's teammates, most notably his lockerroom neighbor Dmitri Khristich, will be familiar to hockey fans. Wonderfully well written. I'd like to think that even the jocks at Harvard learn to write, but more likely it's the ghostwriter.

Tod Hartje's view of the Soviet hockey system is a must read for all students of the sport of ice hockey. You feel his elation -- and his depression -- when, as a borderline player for the then NHL Winnipeg Jets, Hartje is sent packing to the Soviet Union to learn the game. Call it "glasnost" or "detante" but when Hartje writes of his hockey experiences in the Soviet System, of his trips to the soviet backwaters and to Moscow and Kiev, you learn to what great length players will go to improve. Add this one to your reading list and get a copy today.

Just a great book. Dryden's classic "The Game" is not just about his experiences with the Habs but instead is a sounding board his his feelings on hockey in general, the city of Montreal, and so forth. "From Behind the Red Line" is similar type of book. Its not just a diary of a hockey player in a foreign country. We see the inner workings of russian hockey, get introduced to the Russian people, see how similar and dissimilar we are culturally, and get a little cloak-and-dagger action as star players sneak off to North America under the lure of the NHL and large contracts

This book offers a great insight into the Russian hockey system, especially now that so many European players have entered the NHL. To read of the adversity they must overcome in terms of lack of facilities and equipment makes you stop and look at what a luxury it is to grow up in the US. A great fast read for players and fans of any age.

Tod gives a humbling insight about what it means to be an American and reminds us what a great country we live in. This book is a cross-cultural history lesson as well as a fascinating look at competitive hockey

Not only is it an insightful look at the intimidating Soviet hockey program, but a lesson in Russian culture as well. This was an easy read, cover to cover; I was engrossed in reading about the spy-novel style in which players were coaxed into defecting from their native land in order to pursue the NHL dream. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a love for the sport of hockey or Russian culture

A book by a bright young man who happens to play hockey! A fascinating look into the origins of current Russian hockey stars in the NFL and the backward conditions they endured. I hope Tod follows up with another book. Richard Rossiter (rossiter@localnet.com)

Great book. Gives great in sight to how life in Russia used to be for a hockey player (it is much different now).

Tod is a great man on top of it.

If I were you, I'd buy this book and once you open it, it will be hard to put it down.