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Rating: 
Summary: The most diligent self-published sports research ever
Review: I own both the second and sixth editions of this book. It was clear upon purchase of the second edition that the book is a one of its kind classic. I bought the sixth printing for two reasons:
1) because I had thumbed my original so well that the binding did suffer (a problem that appears to have been cured with this sixth edition); and
2) because the content has been enhanced.The second edition contained enough "basic" player, team and league data and narrative history to keep a fan enthralled, particularly a fan not cognizant with WHA hockey; and let's face it how many of us non-Canadians under 40 are? The addition by the time of the sixth edition of pictures, enhancement of narrative and statistical team histories, additional feature articles, summaries of significant games and further exhaustive research (such as trades affecting each team on a year by year basis, a comprehensive skater and goaltender register, biographical information, WHA players in the NHL in 1979-80) makes an excellent book better. The reduced size is also convenient. The section on research methodology and bibliography covers an impressive 3+ pages of small type. It is gratifying to see the level of effort the author invested in ensuring the accuracy of statistics by cross referencing various sources and performing diligent investigation to find the correct answer. I wish that large publishing houses with significant resources would exercise such care. The book is so good that it puts various NHL record books to shame. I have not been able to find a reference work on NHL hockey that lists statistics by team by year played (a new book idea Mr. Surgent?). The author is to be congratulated in turning his effort into an obvious labour of love that all hockey fans can treasure and own. I for one am grateful. One quibble with the headshots of the players, coaches and executives - some need to be scanned at a higher resolution for future editions.
Rating:
Summary: The most diligent self-published sports research ever
Review: I own both the second and sixth editions of this book. It was clear upon purchase of the second edition that the book is a one of its kind classic. I bought the sixth printing for two reasons:
1) because I had thumbed my original so well that the binding did suffer (a problem that appears to have been cured with this sixth edition); and
2) because the content has been enhanced. The second edition contained enough "basic" player, team and league data and narrative history to keep a fan enthralled, particularly a fan not cognizant with WHA hockey; and let's face it how many of us non-Canadians under 40 are? The addition by the time of the sixth edition of pictures, enhancement of narrative and statistical team histories, additional feature articles, summaries of significant games and further exhaustive research (such as trades affecting each team on a year by year basis, a comprehensive skater and goaltender register, biographical information, WHA players in the NHL in 1979-80) makes an excellent book better. The reduced size is also convenient. The section on research methodology and bibliography covers an impressive 3+ pages of small type. It is gratifying to see the level of effort the author invested in ensuring the accuracy of statistics by cross referencing various sources and performing diligent investigation to find the correct answer. I wish that large publishing houses with significant resources would exercise such care. The book is so good that it puts various NHL record books to shame. I have not been able to find a reference work on NHL hockey that lists statistics by team by year played (a new book idea Mr. Surgent?). The author is to be congratulated in turning his effort into an obvious labour of love that all hockey fans can treasure and own. I for one am grateful. One quibble with the headshots of the players, coaches and executives - some need to be scanned at a higher resolution for future editions.
Rating:
Summary: A great reference book on the 7 years of the WHA.
Review: I was a fan of the New York Raiders and the WHA in the early 1970's. When the Raiders moved I lost track of the team and the league. I wanted to find a reference book that would not only give me stats, but some history of the league as well. I found what I was looking for in this book by Scott Surgent. The book provides complete stats on every team and player, as well as every game in the regular season and playoffs. Each team and season has a historical review as well as complete statistical information. The only problem I experienced with this book was that it wasn't bound very well. Some of the pages began to loosen while I was reading, however I found this book to be an outstanding source of information for anyone interested in the WHA.
Rating:
Summary: must have for hockey fans
Review: I'm trying to assemble a personal hockey library for myself and to pass down to my kids one day and this is a must have. I wasn't even alive during the 70's but the WHA is a very important part of todays hockey world this book helped me get an A on two english papers one in high school one in college
Rating: 
Summary: Great stats, less history
Review: This book is a must for the hockey fan's library. The WHA reflected the 70's in which it played: anti-establishment, fast and funky. This book is tremendous as a statistical resource both for the players and teams. The brief league and team histories are interesting as well. However, if you want more of a flavor of what the league was like beyond the statistics (much like "Loose Balls", the book about the ABA), you may be a little disappointed. The other drawback is that there are no "action" photos. However, the exhaustive statistical history and amount of interesting trivia make up for the lack of historical depth.
Rating:
Summary: Great stats, less history
Review: This book is a must for the hockey fan's library. The WHA reflected the 70's in which it played: anti-establishment, fast and funky. This book is tremendous as a statistical resource both for the players and teams. The brief league and team histories are interesting as well. However, if you want more of a flavor of what the league was like beyond the statistics (much like "Loose Balls", the book about the ABA), you may be a little disappointed. The other drawback is that there are no "action" photos. However, the exhaustive statistical history and amount of interesting trivia make up for the lack of historical depth.
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