Customer Reviews

Home Ice: Reflections on Backyard Rinks and Frozen Ponds

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Home Ice is one of those books you want to read in one sitting without putting it down. Even if you have never skated on natural ice, or never skated at all for that matter, you will relate to this book. In building his own backyard rink several years ago, Falla discovered a venue which brings family and friends together time and time again. Just as a campfire in the woods draws people to it, the rink has drawn family and friends to his home. It is a place where differences are forgotten, where strangers become companions, where a rhythm of living takes over, and where a natural order pervails. Falla has been able to capture the anticipation of looking forward to that first ice, that first time of the season when you lace up the blades, step onto the ice, and find that you have come home. This book should be on everyone's shelf.

I have to say in my 28 years of being alive I can count on one hand the amount of books I have read on my own. But I recieved this book from my wife for christmas this year. I guess she had hopes on me reading more. Well she was right. I picked up the book thrusday morning about 11:00 am and finished it that afternoon. I really enjoyed reading this book. It actually took me back to when I was really young and skated on a small lake my grandparents lived on in Kinston Ontario. I feel almost compelled to build my own rink in my back yard this winter. I won't but it would be great to do it.
Thanks

I have been enchanted by this book. A newcomer to hockey, as both fan and player, I have been soaking up information and lore eagerly. This book satisfies both the urge to learn about hockey, and my wish to experience more of the true joy of the game. Taken out of the huge arenas with the expensive nachos and plentiful beer, there is a game that generations have loved to play and perfect. There are kids playing here, and adults, men and women. There are friends who help shovel the backyard rink, and those who show up later. And there are stories of other backyard rinks, of ponds, and of pros. If you like hockey, I don't see how you could go wrong with this book.

Even if you live in a climate that will never allow you to build a backyard rink, this wonderful little book should be read. In a age where youth sports are increasingly dominated by organization and structure and where the attraction of video games keeps kids inside on even the nicest of days, this book takes us to a place where play is unstructured, where one can lose themself in the early morning hours or under the stars, where family and friends can gather to play, skate and even sometimes compete, where the rituals of building, maintaining and disassembling the rink mark the passage of time.

Ultimately this book is as much about a family and a bond between them as is it about ice skating or hockey. Read, enjoy and take something away from the experience.

A good easy read. A must have for hockey fans in New England and for builders of backyard hockey rinks. Not a big reader, but I couldn't put this on down. Very well written.

WE took our rink down a few weeks ago, I cant wait for next years ice. In the mean time I will read this again for about the 50th time!

Awesome book. Absolutely delightful. I really enjoyed reading this. Most people will find something to like about this book, even if you only have a passing interest in skating.

Jack does a wonderful job in capturing the essence of backyard/pond hockey in its most pure form and the life lessons and character that it can build. There are also some great little tips in this book for even the most veteran backyard rink builders among us. Anybody who loves backyard hockey must have this book in their library. It was one of those books that I had trouble putting down and I will defintely be reading through it again in early Fall as I prepare to install my rink this year.

I wasn't a hockey player growing up. Basketball was my first love. My Dad put up a hoop in the driveway back in the early 70's, and the memories of playing 21, Horse, and three on three will last forever. Meeting neighbors and friends, playing by myself working on skills: those were the days.

And Falla's stories of his backyard rink inspire the same kind of love and committment to family and friends that my father's hoop did. What a wonderful book, made all the more important and influential by the author's passing away not too long ago. He was a wonderful writer who seemed to inspire many others through his life, teaching, and writing.

Thanks to Jack Falla...

After reading the book I wanted to head right out and build the rink it was the spring thaw but I did clear out my back lot and leveled it got it ready for winter can't wait until the first freeze