Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
Many years ago, I saw a columnist dismiss a biography of a hockey journeyman, unread, with a "why bother, he's just an average player". I don't know if author David Ward ever saw that blurb; if he did, it certainly inspired him to turn the reference on its ear. Ward knows that it's not the level of fame of the subject, but the depth and quality of their story that makes a good biography. And he proves it.
In "The Lost 10 Point Night - Searching For My Hockey Hero: Jim Harrison", David Ward goes searching for his favorite hockey player when he was growing up. He is easily able to locate the man in question, who has long since retired. The book is NOT about that search, but rather the one to find out just who this man is under the surface â'' what makes him tick, and what life events molded him into that person? As such, the book is really TWO stories running concurrently - the biography of Jim Harrison, former Toronto Maple Leaf (among other NHL teams), former WHA star, now husband and father greatly slowed by injuries suffered playing hockey AND the story of the quest to locate and talk to former teammates, coaches, and neighbors in order to uncover the biography. PLUS, there are hints of a third story â'' how watching Jim Harrison play affected the author as a boy, and how the search affected him as a man.
I give David Ward full credit for successfully interweaving these different threads into a coherent non-fiction book. Entertaining, and at less than 150 pages, even a little too short! If I were to take the author to task at all, it would be for the all-too-frequent references to author Steven Brunt, whose books on "famous" players Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky inspired the style of this book. In my opinion, a quick reference in the Acknowledgements would have been sufficient.
RATING: 4 ½ stars, rounded up to 5 stars since most sites will not allow fractions.
DISCLOSURE: I received this book at no cost as part of the Goodreads FirstRead program. There was no charge, but a fair and unbiased review is always requested â but not mandated â as a part of that ongoing promotion.
In "The Lost 10 Point Night - Searching For My Hockey Hero: Jim Harrison", David Ward goes searching for his favorite hockey player when he was growing up. He is easily able to locate the man in question, who has long since retired. The book is NOT about that search, but rather the one to find out just who this man is under the surface â'' what makes him tick, and what life events molded him into that person? As such, the book is really TWO stories running concurrently - the biography of Jim Harrison, former Toronto Maple Leaf (among other NHL teams), former WHA star, now husband and father greatly slowed by injuries suffered playing hockey AND the story of the quest to locate and talk to former teammates, coaches, and neighbors in order to uncover the biography. PLUS, there are hints of a third story â'' how watching Jim Harrison play affected the author as a boy, and how the search affected him as a man.
I give David Ward full credit for successfully interweaving these different threads into a coherent non-fiction book. Entertaining, and at less than 150 pages, even a little too short! If I were to take the author to task at all, it would be for the all-too-frequent references to author Steven Brunt, whose books on "famous" players Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky inspired the style of this book. In my opinion, a quick reference in the Acknowledgements would have been sufficient.
RATING: 4 ½ stars, rounded up to 5 stars since most sites will not allow fractions.
DISCLOSURE: I received this book at no cost as part of the Goodreads FirstRead program. There was no charge, but a fair and unbiased review is always requested â but not mandated â as a part of that ongoing promotion.
