Hockey For Dummies [Paperback]

John Davidson (Author), John Steinbreder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2000

"Gives die-hard fans and newcomers to the sport the inside edge!"
—Scotty Bowman, NHL's winningest coach and  former coach of the Detroit Red Wings

"Nothing gets by John Davidson. If the first edition didn’t already make you a fan, then this edition will!"
—Mark Messier, NHL All-Star

"My dog, Blue, and I ran out to get Hockey For Dummies, 2^nd Edition. We give it two paws up!"
—Don Cherry, former NHL coach and “Coaches Corner” commentator for Hockey Night in Canada

"...a must read for all hockey fans!"
—John Vanbiesbrouck, former goaltender, New York Islanders

"...the most comprehensive, easily understood source of hockey history and instruction I've ever come across. Not only was 'JD' a superb player in the NHL, he is also an extremely skilled commentator sharing his knowledge of the game with fans all over North America. From hat tricks to power plays, Hockey For Dummies provides the reader with the wisdom of an expert. —From the Foreword by Wayne Gretzky

This updated edition of the bestselling guide to all things hockey is packed with illustrations and play-by-play descriptions, diagrams, and photos of the NHL’s greatest players. It tells you how to:

• Gear up safely with the right equipment
• Improve your skills with drills
• Warm up mentally—and physically—before hitting the ice
• Respect rules and good sportsmanship
• Find US and Canadian leagues and camps

Former New York Ranger, John Davidson offers you plays only the pros know and tips for playing hockey at any level. And he fills you in on:

• Hockey ABCs, its origins, positions, gear, rules, and more
• The complete NHL—explores the various leagues, greatest players, training, and tons of fascinating facts, figures, and priceless trivia
• The best ways to follow the game from the stands or on TV
• How the pros do it—includes tips from Gretzky on passing, Messier on winning face-offs, and other star players on how to play like a pro

From youth leagues to the secrets of the NHL greats, Hockey For Dummies, is your total guide to this cool sport.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Like its teammates in the Dummies series, Hockey for Dummies is cleverly organized and clearly focused, geared to both fans and players. It is filled with fun stuff such as lists of the 10 best things about the game, the 10 best players, the 10 best teams, and, given even a novice's inability to mistake hockey for Zen, the 10 best hitters. Hockey for Dummies also contains plenty of good, practical advice: Wayne Gretzky offers a clinic on passing, Mark Messier hosts one on face-offs, Brian Leetch counsels players in clinics on defense, and Ron Hextall teaches goaltending. Authors John Davidson and John Steinbreder explain rules, discuss equipment, and detail strategies. They even give pointers on how best to appreciate the game on television. It seems the only thing missing from Hockey for Dummies is a dental referral for the first time one of your incisors gets in the way of an errant puck. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Gives die-hard fans and newcomers to the sport the inside edge!" -- Scotty Bowman, NHL's winningest coach and coach of the Detroit Red Wings

"My dog Blue and I ran out to get Hockey For Dummies, 2nd edition. We give it two paws up!" -- Don Cherry, former NHL coach

"Nothing gets by John Davidson. If the first edition didn't already make you a fan, then this edition will!" -- Mark Messier, NHL All-Star

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (September 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764552287
• ISBN-13: 978-0764552281
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Hockey
  • #18 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Winter Sports

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Truth in Advertising, June 12, 2000

By 

dcinDC "dcinDC" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hockey for Dummies (Paperback)

Like all the "For Dummies" books, this is a good purchase if you really don't know anything about the subject. I think there's a place for these books. They're a good for absolute beginners who want to get started. They can also help you decide if you like something enough to find out more about it. It's just that they're not that cheap and I think they almost always leave you wanting more.

If you know anything about hockey, you'll probably find much of this book useless or uninteresting. There are better books on how to play hockey (like Percival's Hockey Handbook) and about the sport (like Total Hockey) out there that are worth buying. You'll probably skim this book quickly and never pick it up again.

If you're just learning, this will give you all the basics along with a few bits of interesting information. Still, I'll bet you don't read this thing more than once. There are better books to get into the various aspects of hockey as a player, parent of a player, or fan.

I'd recommend this book to someone who just wants to watch hockey and have some idea what's going on...although finding a friend who can tell you is probably better and will only cost you a beer or two. If this book were cheaper or went a bit further I'd recommend it to more people. As it is, all I can say is with the title right on the front of the book you can't say they lied to you!

PS: This review isn't meant as a slam to the authors who I think did a good job. It's just a problem with this series or format. It serves a purpose, just a very narrow one.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reference for the rookie and veteran alike, July 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Hockey for Dummies (Paperback)

When the NHL arrived in Arizona two years ago with the Phoenix Coyotes, I had the chance to attend a few games and was immediately HOOKED. Looking to learn more about what I am now convinced is the greatest sport ever invented I chose this book. I already knew the DUMMIES series from their excellent software guides and figured they'd be just as comprehensive here. I was not disappointed. HOCKEY FOR DUMMIES is now my hockey Bible. It includes sections on the history of the game, the rules, the equipment, coaching and training techniques, and advice on playing from the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Brian Leetch among others. Also included are profiles of the players past and present who have made the game: the famous (coaches, goal-scorers, goaltenders) and the infamous ("pests," "enforcers" and others.) There's even a section on fights and hitting which has helped me understand and at least respect that aspect of the game, even though I still don't care ! for it. HOCKEY FOR DUMMIES is a great introduction for the rookie hockey fan and an indespensable reference for the veteran.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am no longer a "Dummie"!!, August 2, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Iowa, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hockey for Dummies (Paperback)

Hockey for Dummies is the best book you can buy on the sport of Hockey. It's takes a humorous and in-depth look at the sport. It answered all my questions and is a great reference for the rules if i'm watching a game on TV.