Thunder and Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir [Hardcover]

Phil Esposito (Author), Peter Golenbock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

Phil Esposito has never been reluctant to speak his mind. At the end of his third season with the Blackhawks, Espo told coach Billy Reay and GM Tommy Ivan that they had a great team, maybe even a dynasty, but that the two would screw it up. Perfectly Espo. He pulls no punches on those Chicago days, his record-setting time with the Bruins, his abrupt trade to the Rangers and all the hard work and heartache behind founding the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nobody is spared Espo's directness and recollections.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books; 1ST edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572435399
• ISBN-13: 978-1572435391
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Hockey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Coarse, Humorous and Honest, November 14, 2003

By 

D. Buxman "A Seeker of Truth" (Pueblo, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thunder and Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir (Hardcover)

This book is very enjoyable and certainly represents a "no holds barred" approach. Don't expect much in the way of introspective philosophy if you buy this book. Phil Esposito played the game because he loved the game and loved having fun...end of story. In any event, this book is a fun and fast paced page-turner. Espo dishes the dirt on everyone, but doesn't gloss over his own faults and problems. If you want to know how hockey has developed into the game it is today, read this book. My only complaint is that I don't think the co-author did much to address transitions between the different stories and, thus, the finished product here is a bit rough and appears somewhat disorganized, even though the events are basically recounted in chronological order.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It ain't Shakespeare - and it ain't supposed to be...., April 28, 2004

By 

doug1022 "doug1022" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thunder and Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir (Hardcover)

I get the impression that this is a transcript from Phil just sitting at the kitchen table, drinking a beer, talking about the good old days. The writing style is very conversational and reflective and his thoughts and emotions are quite real.

The content is exceptionally interesting and the book has a very good flow to it. It is easy to pick this book up and read half of it, before realizing you have done so.

Many of the stories are laugh-out-loud funny. The motley cast of characters is never-ending, from Eddie Shack to Wayne Cashman to Ron Duguay. Esposito had some great times on and off the ice and he delivers his experiences in a neat little package.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Bit of a Disappointment, November 19, 2003

By 

Corgi Mom "nieceym" (Parachute, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thunder and Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir (Hardcover)

I think Phil's ego filled up most of the pages. Good reading but I expected more. He was born to play hockey, no doubt. If you cut Phil Esposito he bleeds hockey.