Doug : The Doug Harvey Story

Rating:
Summary: Thumbs Up
Review: A fine biography of one of the greatest defensemen the game has ever seen. Harvey was not only a fabulous hockey player; he also excelled at baseball and football. This book chronicles his achievments in all three sports, plus his time in the Navy. It's an excellent historical reference, with lots of space devoted to the Richard Riot in 1955 and the ill-fated attempt at forming a Player's Association in 1957, and Harvey's involvement in both. Harvey was also known for his actions off the ice; this book has dozens of anecdotes regarding his antics, both funny and sad.

My only complaint is that not enough space was devoted to Harvey's time as a perennial Norris Trophy winner. The author seemed content to focus more on Harvey's run ins with management than the ins and outs of what made him so great as a defenseman. I would have liked some more focus on the ice, although that kind of analysis may not be suited for more casual readers. My other complaint is that the author went a bit easy on Harvey's notorious drinking and partying. He didn't make excuses per se, but at times appeared to be rationalizing Harvey's often deliquent behavior and writing it off as the result of his biploar disorder.

Those minor complaints aside, this is a good, easy read, and definitely worth picking up if you're a fan of Harvey and the Habs, or the history of hockey in general.

Rating:
Summary: Thumbs Up
Review: A fine biography of one of the greatest defensemen the game has ever seen. Harvey was not only a fabulous hockey player; he also excelled at baseball and football. This book chronicles his achievments in all three sports, plus his time in the Navy. It's an excellent historical reference, with lots of space devoted to the Richard Riot in 1955 and the ill-fated attempt at forming a Player's Association in 1957, and Harvey's involvement in both. Harvey was also known for his actions off the ice; this book has dozens of anecdotes regarding his antics, both funny and sad.

My only complaint is that not enough space was devoted to Harvey's time as a perennial Norris Trophy winner. The author seemed content to focus more on Harvey's run ins with management than the ins and outs of what made him so great as a defenseman. I would have liked some more focus on the ice, although that kind of analysis may not be suited for more casual readers. My other complaint is that the author went a bit easy on Harvey's notorious drinking and partying. He didn't make excuses per se, but at times appeared to be rationalizing Harvey's often deliquent behavior and writing it off as the result of his biploar disorder.

Those minor complaints aside, this is a good, easy read, and definitely worth picking up if you're a fan of Harvey and the Habs, or the history of hockey in general.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for Habs Fans and All Hockey Lovers
Review: This is an excellent account of one of hockey's most enigmatic figures, and as an added bonus, a rare look behind the scenes of the great power teams and personalities of the Montreal Canadiens from the '50's and '60's. If that isn't enough, the great careers of the likes of Howe, Lindsay, Glen Hall, Sawchuk, Hull, Storey, Campbell, Blake, Irvin, Selke are discussed. If you love old-time hockey, you will love this book.