Blue Ice : The Story of Michigan Hockey

Rating:
Summary: Not feeling "Blue" about this book!
Review: "Blue Ice" is not only a story about "Michigan Hockey" its a story about how college hockey has evolved to become a mainstream player development system for the National Hockey League, evidence the vast number of former NCAA Division l College Hockey players currently on NHL rosters. Neither is "Blue Ice" a book of hockey statistics; rather its pages uniquely reveal the metamorphosis of NCAA College Hockey, from its cocoon, to the exciting on-ice beautiful spectacle it has become."

Rating:
Summary: Pure Blue
Review: A great read for Michigan hockey devotees, or those who just want to know what it's all about. Author Bacon writes with an engaging, easy style that makes this book a pleasure to read. The author offers ample stories and anecdotes that help to place the subject in a larger and meaningful context. A great addition to what we know about college sports.

Rating:
Summary: Great reading
Review: A must-read for hockey lovers! Whether you like Michigan Hockey or any other team, this book is for you. Bacon makes this history story of the Wolverine skaters extremely fun and joyous reading. If you are a Michigan fan, you'd enjoy reading all the details and stories; if you (so wrongly) chose another team to cheer -- you'll become curious as to its own history.
I especially loved the parts of the book (which I consider as "Hockey chanting for Idiots") detailing the rich content and background behind some of what you hear in Yost Ice arena. After reading it, watching the games was so much more fun!

Rating:
Summary: About more than just the game...
Review: An easy read, that's about much more then just the game of hockey. This book delves into the tradition and character of Michigan and it's hockey program. Blue Ice is a must read for anyone interested in Michigan athletics, is familiar with the Ann Arbor hockey community, or just loves the game of hockey.

Rating:
Summary: The Human Side of Michigan Hockey
Review: Blue Ice is a compelling read because Bacon captures the human side of the story of Michigan hockey. In a time when athletes are too often celebrities, it's refreshing to see Michigan hockey players emerge as real human beings - usually from small towns, and usually with the humility and work ethic that creates success on the ice and off. Bacon captures the excitement of the big games, but he also captures all the behind-the-scenes stuff that real fans crave.

Rating:
Summary: Very Enjoyable
Review: Blue ice is an impressive book that will be enjoyed by anyone interested in collegiate-level athletics, particularly ice hockey. Bacon is a gifted writer with the ability to interweave historical facts and objective (always informative and often funny) stories that keep the reader entertained. It is a great buy for folks that love factually based stories.

Rating:
Summary: A History Lesson along with Hockey
Review: Sure the Michigan Hockey squad has sent numerous players to the NHL, but this book is far from a celebration of their careers. World-reknowned architects, families, and even a few hockey players play a role in what has become one of the most storied programs in hockey. A very interesting read, whether you enjoy sports or not.

Rating:
Summary: Connections on Ice
Review: The idea is simple. Write an engaging story recounting the coming of age of a first class collegiate hockey program and spice it with behind the scene details, locker room interviews and humorous anecdotes. The execution is outstanding. Blue Ice takes the reader on a very enjoyable trip looking at the beginnings of college hockey at the University of Michigan, from playing outdoors on the frozen Huron River, to the recent trips that Wolverine skaters have made to the Frozen Four championships. The bonus for readers is getting a sports version of "Connections," with the athletic stories enveloped and intertwined in the history of the time, showing how seemingly unrelated events can influence each other. Easy and entertaining to read, delightful to give as a gift, when it was over, we wanted a sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Connections on Ice
Review: The idea is simple. Write an engaging story recounting the coming of age of a first class collegiate hockey program and spice it with behind the scene details, locker room interviews and humorous anecdotes. The execution is outstanding. Blue Ice takes the reader on a very enjoyable trip looking at the beginnings of college hockey at the University of Michigan, from playing outdoors on the frozen Huron River, to the recent trips that Wolverine skaters have made to the Frozen Four championships. The bonus for readers is getting a sports version of "Connections," with the athletic stories enveloped and intertwined in the history of the time, showing how seemingly unrelated events can influence each other. Easy and entertaining to read, delightful to give as a gift, when it was over, we wanted a sequel.

Rating:
Summary: More than just hockey
Review: This is a fantastic book for several reasons. There is certainly enough information about the history of the program to make the book worthwhile in and of itself. But what makes the book special is the way that the history of the program is put into historical context. For example, the book discusses how great people in the University's history were responsible for keeping a program alive when most other's couldn't - during the Depression and WWII, for instance. The book is also very careful to discuss how important people in the program's history have made contributions outside of hockey, not only to the University but to the world. And there is a lot of great information that would be of interest to any college hockey fan, such as how the NCAA tournament was started by a few hotel operators in Colorado who had the foresight, along with some UM people, to put a real national tournament together. I started to read this book to learn more about the history of a sport that I love and a University that means a great deal to me, but got a lot more than I bargained for.