Playing With Fire [Hardcover]

Theo Fleury (Author), Kirstie McLellan Day (Author), Wayne Gretzky (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2009

In Playing with Fire, now in trade paperback, Theo Fleury takes us behind the bench during his glorious days as an NHL player, and talks about growing up devastatingly poor and in chaos at home. Dark personal issues began to surface and drinking, drugs, gambling, and girls ultimately derailed his Hall of Fame-caliber career. Fleury shares all in this raw, captivating and honest look at the previously untold story of one of the game's greatest heroes.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books (October 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600781993
• ISBN-13: 978-1600781995
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Put your hand into the flame -- you'll be glad you did, October 20, 2009

By 

B. Beazley (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Playing With Fire (Hardcover)

This is one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Actually, it's one of the best books I've ever read. I've read a lot of memoirs and biographies, and this one is brutally honest -- heartbreakingly so.

Theo Fleury's book contains many stories. It's the story of a Canadian who grew up poor on the prairies and clung to his dream like a lifeline. It's a story of a broken, lonely childhood plagued by demons and abuse. It's a story about the drive to be the best at a particular sport. It's a story of addiction to booze, drugs, and sex. It's a story of both dizzying success and financial failure. But most of all, it's a story about what it means to be human and what it's like to live in constant pain...and to find relief in things that only make matters worse.

Anyone who loves hockey (especially the Calgary Flames) will love this book. Ditto anyone who's been abused or anyone who struggles (or struggled) with substance abuse and suicidal impulses. Theo has written a book for both sports fans and those who don't care about sports. His story is painful, but it deserves to be heard. And hopefully it will help anyone who struggles with the same issues that affected him.

Thank you, Theo, for writing this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must read for any hockey fan, November 23, 2009

By 

T. Durden "Durden" (Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Playing With Fire (Hardcover)

I have a lot more respect for Theo after reading what he was going through. I followed him since his rookie year, this book helps answer a lot of questions at to what was going on behind the scenes. Its actually a really good read and Im happy to see Theo where he is today. It says as much about abuse and addiction as it does about hard work and determination. Im a hockey, Flames and Theo fan so for me this book was a 5 out of 5.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Author, November 17, 2009

By 

John Leak - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Playing With Fire (Hardcover)

While I have NEVER been a real fan of Theo Fleury nor a fan of the Flames, I got the book because I always had respect for the little man that chose to play hockey like he was 6 foot 2. (plus the Flames were my dad's team since they were in Atlanta). It has given me alot of insight into why he played the game the way he did. I may not have liked Fleury, but I still respected him.