A Breed Apart: An Illustrated History in Goaltending [Paperback]

Douglas Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1998

The first book ever to celebrate the history of goalies. With hundreds of archival photos.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The only job in sports that seems crazier than hockey goalie is hockey goalie in the era before masks. That time is examined in A Breed Apart, an exuberant, photo-rich tribute to the game's last line of defense and most interesting personalities. The great goalies--from Vezina and Worters to Dryden and Roy--are profiled in detail, and there are smart era-by-era analyses of how the position's equipment and style of play have changed, and how each relates to the other. Ultimately, the players beneath the padding emerge as the unique sporting characters implied by the title. As Gerry Cheevers, famed for decorating his mask with the stitches it saved him from, observes, "We goaltenders, alone and unloved, tend to be very proud bastards." In A Breed Apart, they make the most of their chance to preen. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Imagine for a moment standing on two blades of steel in an area six by four feet, attempting to stop a frozen rubber object traveling at speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Anyone who dares this is indeed a breed apart. Hunter's (Open Ice: The Tim Horton Story, Penguin, 1994) current publication chronicles the evolution of goaltending, beginning in 1875, when goalies wore no special equipment, to the present day of netminders who look more like knights of old rather than professional athletes. Features worth noting are biographical profiles, chapters on international play, a recounting of the development of the mask, and a number of photographs and charts. Hunter's fascinating study is sure to be enjoyed by hockey enthusiasts of all ages. Recommended for sports collections.?L.R. Little, Penticton P.L., B.C.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Benchmark Press (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892049031
• ISBN-13: 978-1892049032
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,382,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for anyone interested in goaltending, May 2, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breed Apart: An Illustrated History of Goaltending (Hardcover)

This is a fabulous and very detailed book about the history of goaltending. The book spans from the very first goaltenders all the way to today's goalies. The book has many great pictures along with stories and interesting facts. The book got me interested right away. It shows pictures all the way from before the 1900's and up to today. Famous goalies such as, Jaques Plante, Terry Sawchuck, and many others. I highly recoment this book for just about anyone. This would be a fabulous book for any goaltender currently playing on a team. The book is so well done and easy to read and follow it really brings you into the time of the earlier goaltenders. Just overall...a great book

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for the goaltending enthusiast!', December 11, 1999

By 

Vincent J Gudzinskas - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Breed Apart: An Illustrated History in Goaltending (Paperback)

Those of us who play goal know what unique characters we are. This book highlights all the greats from the early days of the sport up to now. Pictures galore. Spreads of early equipment. Full head shots of masks, old and new. Profiles of many of the greats to ever play the position. The innovators and the champions. A well rounded history of the insanely brave men who guard the cages. I reccomend it to all into the sport or the position.

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Illustrated Goalkeeping Book, July 1, 2011

By 

Hallauthor "Tom A" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Breed Apart: An Illustrated History in Goaltending (Paperback)

If you have an appreciation for the art and challenge of NHL goalkeeping, this is an indispensible work. Douglas Hunter is one of hockey history's finest authors ( see his bio of Scotty Bowman ) and A Breed Apart is a seminal work. The photographs, many rare, the unique timeline, the attempt to put the different eras into perspective, and the obvious love with which the topic is approached make this book a must-have for any serious student of the game or of the position.

Brilliant!