Customer Reviews

Goalies: Guardians of the Net

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This is a fantastic hockey book for one reason: the photography! Because it is translated from French, some of the text is choppy and although provides good background, does not go into great detail. Trust me, though. You won't want this book for what is written on the pages, but for the pictures that capture some the great moments of the world's most exclusive union: hockey goaltenders.

Denis Brodeur has photographed the Montreal Canadiens for several decades, so all of the pictures were taken at The Forum and a few at the Molson Centre(Bill Ranford). It is no secret that Denis' son, Martin is one of the finest goaltenders in the game, and the father pays his son a nice tribute in the book.

This book a must-have for any hockey fanatic and features photographs of goaltenders hard to find anywhere. Where else will you find Gilles Gilbert, Daniel Bouchard, Rick Wamsley and other lesser-known, but succesful netminders in the same book? Brodeur's photos have captured the spirit and flamboyance of the position and is a tribute to everyone who has ever put on the pads and gone "between the pipes" in the great game of hockey.

This book provides a ton of pictures for the reader, as well as it gives some insight about the goaltenders that are photographed. While it is so extensive, I feel it is too extensive, covering almost every netminder that has been in the NHL since the 1980's. I would like to have seen just some of the better players over the years, not just the HOF players, but perhaps a few less than were put in.

Also, the pictures are of average quality. Brodeur does have some phenominal shots of goalies over the years, but these pictures are not art quality, rather documentary. I would like to see a book that focuses on the art of goaltending and the people behind it rather than a somewhat plain approach than was taken here. Nonetheless, it still sits on my coffeetable and starts a conversation or two.

If you want info on all the goalies(just about), this is the book you are looking for. It's great because it shows how much style has changed. From styles of play to styles of mask and equipment. For each goalie it has a brief paragraph or more on his carrer. It's a great book.