The Great One : The Life and Times of Wayne Gretzky (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "I WAS NEVER A FAN OF THE OILERS in the eighties when they were at the height of their Stanley Cup powers..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

One of this century's greatest athletes, Wayne Gretzky, The Great One, never failed to enthrall hockey fans with his incredible talent and skill.

It was with bittersweet sadness that the hockey world accepted the retirement of its most beloved player after the 1998-99 season. For the past twenty years, Wayne Gretzky above all has epitomized the toughness, power, and excitement of hockey. A class act, admired by teammates and foes alike, holder of numerous records, and always a consummate sportsman, Gretzky simply defines the game of hockey.

Including more than 120 extraordinary black and white and color photographs, The Great One celebrates Gretzky, from his early days as Brantford, Ontario's whiz kid, all the way to his Stanley Cup glories. The Great One includes a compilation of number ninety-nine's records of achievement and game-by-game statistics for his two decades of excellence.

Expertly written and researched by hockey historian Andrew Podnieks, the book also includes rare interviews, anecdotes, and little-known facts about Gretzky.

With Wayne Gretzky's retirement, hockey fans everyone mourned the passing of an era. But Gretzky's words and achievements live on in The Great One. There is no better way to remember the career of hockey's most superb and charismatic player.

ANDREW PODNIEKS is the author of many books on hockey, including The Blue and White Book, Portraits of the Game, and Shooting Stars. A hockey historian, photographer, and former creative writing teacher, Andrew lives in Toronto.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572433523
• ISBN-13: 978-1572433526
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #977,290 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great One: Life and Times of Wayne Gretzky, May 16, 2000

By A Customer

I bought this book for my 3rd grade son to write a paper with, and found myself completly engaged in it. For someone who didn't know much about "The Great One", I am now as big a fan as my son! Tells a lot about his younger years and doesn't just focus on the goals. AWESOME

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not this time Wayne, February 26, 2005

By	Samer (Canada) - See all my reviews

I admire everything about Wayne Gretzky and everything he has done. But i also think Andrew did a poor job reflecting how much wayne gretzky has really accomplished. He is not just a great player , he is a great person. The book lacked certain detail and as the other reviewer said. It probably is only meant for a 3rd grade level =)

4.0 out of 5 stars One of many, but definitely a great one, February 12, 2009

By	Kees (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

There are a lot of books about Wayne Gretzky. This is a good one with a lot of nice pictures. All the highlights are included, but if you're a Gretzky fan you won't be surprised by any real new items.