Ice hockey Books

Book SynopsisThis honest, engrossing graphic memoir tells the story of professional athlete and activist Akim Aliu''s incredible life as a hockey prodigy in Canada.Akim Aliu also known as Dreamer is a Ukrainian-Nigerian-Canadian professional hockey player whose career took him all around the world and who experienced systemic racism at every turn. Dreamer tells Akim''s incredible story, from being the only Black child in his Ukrainian community, to his family struggling to make ends meet while living in Toronto, to confronting the racist violence he often experienced both on and off the ice. This is a gut-wrenching and riveting graphic novel memoir that reminds us to never stop dreaming, and is sure to inspire young readers everywhere.With honesty and courage, Akim Aliu''s Dreamer will inspire readers of all ages to move confidently in the direction of their future. - Colin Kaepernick

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Book SynopsisHaving skyrocketed from six to fourteen teams between 1966 and 1970, leaders of the National Hockey League had planned to wait a few more years before expanding any further. But as its rivalry with the World Hockey Association intensified, competition for markets rose, and the race for continued expansion became too urgent to ignore. Not to be outdone, the NHL introduced two new teams in 1971: one in Long Island, New York, and one in Atlanta, Georgia. For its own part, Atlanta had been watching as White residents left the city for the suburbs over the course of the 1960s. As the turn of the decade approached, city leadership was searching for ways to mitigate white flight and bring residents of the surrounding suburbs back to the city center. So when a stereotypically White sport came to the Deep South in 1971 in the form of the Atlanta Flames, ownership saw a new opportunity to appeal to White audiences. But the challenge would be selling a game that was foreign to most of Atlanta’s longtime sports fans. Filling a significant gap in scholarly literature concerning race and hockey within US history, White Ice: Race and the Making of Atlanta Hockey is a response to two simple questions: How did a cold-climate sport like hockey end up in a majority Black city in the Deep South? And why did it come when it did? Over seven chronological chapters, Thomas Aiello unpacks the history, culture, and context surrounding these questions, teasing out what the story of the Atlanta Flames can teach us about the NHL, Atlanta, race, and the business of professional sports expansion.

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Book SynopsisWhen the Rogers Place arena opened in downtown Edmonton in September 2016, no amount of buzz could drown out the rumours of manipulation, secret deals, and corporate greed undergirding the project. Working with documentary evidence and original interviews, the authors present an absorbing account of the machinations that got the arena and the adjacent Ice District built, with a price tag of more than $600 million. The arena deal, they argue, established a costly public financing precedent that people across North America should watch closely, as many cities consider building sports facilities for professional teams or international competitions. Their analysis brings clarity and nuance to a case shrouded in secrecy and understood by few besides political and business insiders. Power Play tells a dramatic story about clashing priorities where sports, money, and municipal power meet. Foreword by Richard Gruneau.Trade Review"Power Play is easy to understand, with a clear message: cities set to negotiate with professional sports teams must be aware there is a carefully-crafted playbook designed to attract maximum public dollars for sports facilities..." -- Liane Faulder# 1 on Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers list, October 27, 2019 * Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers *# 2 on Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers list, November 03, 2019 * Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers *# 3 on Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers list, November 10, 2019 * Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers *"In Power Play, Jay Scherer, David Mills and Linda Sloan McCulloch not only clear the fog, they situate the whole ordeal as only the latest example of a long pattern of North American pro sports teams coercing public subsidies for new facilities.... No amount of massaging the messaging or shiny renderings will cover up the most fundamental divide in these debates: whether scarce public resources should be spent building something that will generate private profit, and which many citizens cannot reap the benefits of." -- Taylor Lambert * The Sprawl *"Power Play delves into the dark world of billionaire club owners, weak mayors and unconscionable subsidies that litter the world of professional sports. The names and dollar values change, but these grinding sagas are all the same: One false move and the dummy gets it. Pay up or you lose the team. So, taxpayers pay and pay". -- Holly Doan * Blacklock's Reporter *# 7 on Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers list, November 24, 2019 -- Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers"Ultimately, Power Play asserts that the city was the biggest loser when it came to building the arena. The city financed a majority of the new arena at an enormous cost.... While it agrees the arena has made positive contributions to Edmonton, it cautions future cities and arena developments to think critically about spending public dollars on private ventures." -- Adam Lachacz"[The arena deal] was viewed by some as a catalyst for invigorating Edmonton’s downtown core and a way to lock in the city’s storied Oilers franchise. Others argued it was a gift to a billionaire businessman and the presumed result of backroom deals and public threats to move the team. Now, a new book sheds light on how Edmonton City Council reached the arena deal." -- Jennifer Crosby# 8 on Glass Bookshop's Top 10 list, November 11, 2019# 8 on Glass Bookshop's Top 10 list, November 18, 2019# 7 on Edmonton's Bestselling Books list; Non-fiction, December 01, 2019# 8 on Edmonton's Bestselling Books list; Non-fiction, December 08, 2019# 9 on Edmonton's Bestselling Books list; Non-fiction, December 15, 2019"...a lot of things that a lot of political parties and governments do should be examined carefully. One informative way to look at them is to read the newly published Power Play. The book examines events leading to the City of Edmonton’s decision to provide most of the funding for the Edmonton Oilers’ new arena.... The book’s real value lies in detailed recounting of how a big political battle was fought. Proponents of the arena deal were operating on articles of faith.... The book outlines constant appeals to conventional wisdom. It implicitly raises the question of whether politicians act on a strong information base in such cases, or whether they make decisions on gut instinct and a strong pull toward going along with a crowd." -- Mark Lisac"Power Play: Professional Hockey and the Politics of Urban Development is an absolute masterpiece of civic journalism." -- Fish Griwkowsky# 8 on Edmonton's Bestselling Books list; Non-fiction, January 5, 2020Ten of the year's best books by local authors to look out for. Many sports fans may not be aware of the true costs behind one of Canada’s most beloved sports. Diving into the politics behind the Rogers Place deal, this book illuminates the facts previously shrouded in secrecy around the manipulation and machination that got the $600-million arena built. -- Fish Griwkowsky * Edmonton Journal *"Power Play is a book that needs to be out there, for the politicians, the protesters, the civic activists, the journalists, even the fans to read before the next power play by some rich owner, like, say Calgary or Ottawa.... As a reader, there's plenty to take away from Power Play, from the deep respect of all the research for the book to befuddlement at how public funds continue to fund rich people's toys." [Full review at https://www.sihrhockey.org/__a/public/column.cfm?cid=4] -- Greg Oliver, Society for International Hockey Research# 2 on Edmonton's Bestselling Books list; Non-fiction, February 02, 2020 * Edmonton's Bestselling Books *# 10 on Edmonton's Bestselling Books list; Non-fiction, February 09, 2020 * Edmonton's Bestselling Books *# 5 on Edmonton's Bestselling Books list; Non-fiction, March 08, 2020 * Edmonton's Bestselling Books *"Readers interested in the business of sport will enjoy Power Play. But this book is really about how municipal politics can be hijacked. Themes of democracy, transparency and public participation in municipal politics run throughout the book.... Power Play shows what can happen when local politics becomes enmeshed with local and international business interests." [Full review at https://albertaviews.ca/power-play-professional-hockey-politics-urban-development/] -- Ryan Gauthier"University of Alberta kinesiology professor Jay Scherer is one of the authors of the upcoming book Power Play: Professional Hockey and the Politics of Urban Development — a deep dive into Edmonton’s arena deal... 'Any time a city does a new deal, it does set a very powerful precedent that the city with the next-oldest arena is invited to meet, if not exceed, in terms of subsidy,' Scherer said." -- Madeline Smith, Toronto Star, 07/31/2019“The book adds significantly to literatures on the economics of sport, municipal government, and urban development by providing a detailed case study of the process and politics of sports facility construction, grounded in the distinct history and sporting experiences of a particular North American city…. Power Play provides a template for investigating and analyzing the political and economic issues that will be faced in the next decade or two by every North American city with a major professional sports franchise seeking public subsidies…. Power Play should go straight to the top of the reading list of anyone interested in the range of important issues illuminated by this carefully assembled and thought-provoking case study.” Stacy L. Lorenz, American Review of Canadian Studies, 51:4 [Full review at https://doi.org/10.1080/02722011.2021.1996932]"Part scholarly history, part muckraking exposé, part caution tale, the book tells the story of how the team’s owner, Darryl Katz, a millionaire drugstore chain magnate, enticed the City of Edmonton, its mayor and councillors, to rezone lands, relocate residents, and build the new facility so that the Oilers could leave their 'obsolete' digs in the Rexall Centre (once and now again the Northlands Coliseum) and inhabit a state-of-the-art, 'world-class' entertainment stage on par with those occupied by the NHL’s best-earning teams. Power Play explains an intricate deal in remarkably plain terms..." Andrew Holman, University of Toronto Quarterly, Summer 2021Table of ContentsForeword | Richard Gruneau xi Preface xv Acknowledgements xxi Important Terms xxiii 1 Introduction 1 2 Boosting Edmonton 15 Hockey and the Promotion of the City, 1894–1977 3 The Blue Line and the Bottom Line 43 Peter Pocklington, the EIGLP, and the Business of Hockey in Edmonton, 1977–2005 4 Preparing the Political Terrain 67 5 Making the Team 89 6 Power Plays 119 7 Shut Out 139 8 Show Me the Money 167 9 End Game? 191 10 The Beat Goes On 213 11 Head Games 235 12 Lobbying the Province, Slamming Northlands 257 13 The Art of the Deal? 283 14 Conclusion 307 Epilogue 337 The Oilers Get a New Arena, So the Flames Want One, Too Notes 357 Bibliography 409 Index 419

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a slew of questions and in-depth answers concerning the traditions, rules, records, and history of hockey. From the early days of hockey to the hugely popular game seen today, Martin Gitlin answers questions even the most knowledgeable fan may have pondered. Whether

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Book SynopsisBusiness the NHL Way draws on hockey-inspired stories to show how brands, institutions, and individuals associated with the NHL have consistently survived a variety of challenges and thrived as a result of its decisions. This revised and expanded edition explores business-related scenarios from the sport of hockey and links each lesson back to business, leadership, diversity, management, and sport outcomes.Using ice hockey as an analogy for life, Norm O’Reilly and Rick Burton – leaders in the business of sports and former amateur hockey players – inform business and industry professionals on best practices to achieve strategic outcomes and career advancement. The book aims to help businesses emerge from the financial and health disruptions of the global COVID-19 pandemic that not only altered the future of hockey but threatened business sustainability in every sector. Business the NHL Way will appeal to both casual and passionate hockey faTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Foreword Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner A Word from the Authors 1. It Starts at the Top 2. Why the World’s Business Leaders Use Sport to Drive Themselves 3. Why Ice Hockey Matters during Global Challenges 4. “Smart” Copycats Can Run with the Big Dogs 5. “Brand” New Offerings with Creativity 6. Innovation: How the NHL Has Thrived in This Space 7. Veterans Matter: The Case Study of Zdeno Chára 8. Market the NHL Way: Relevant to the Day 9. Women’s Professional Ice Hockey and the True Value of Inclusion 10. Conflict Management: What Can We Learn from the NHL? 11. Modern Cautionary Tales for Business: Cherry, Rhéaume, Peters, and Chicago’s Blackhawks 12. Two Birds, One Stone Afterword Hayley Wickenheiser References Index

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Book Synopsis Awareness, anticipation, physical conditioning . . . these are just some of the qualities a goaltender needs to bring onto the ice at game time. Excellence requires practice, consistency, and understandingof the position, the situation, and your talents. No one knows this better than Eli Wilson does. Widely recognized as the leading authority on goaltending, he has worked alongside 30 NHL goaltenders, including Carey Price, Ray Emery, Tuukka Rask, and Brian Elliott. In Hockey Goaltending, Eli Wilson and Brian van Vliet have created the definitive guide to stopping more pucks, winning more games, and lowering your goals against average. Inside, you will find coverage on every facet of the position: Selection of the right equipment for fit and functionality Stance and presence in the net, including footwork, stick placement, and body positioning Puck stopping, from save selection to execution Postsave recovery strategies, including controlling and directing rebounds Tactics for breakaways, odd-man rushes, and wraparounds Focus and visualization methods to improve the mental game On- and off-ice drills and training programs for year-round conditioning to increase strength, stamina, speed, and agility Suggestions for building productive relationships between head coaches, goaltending coaches, and goaltenders From skills to strategies, equipment to exercises, Hockey Goaltending covers the position like no other. Packed with drills, step-by-step instructions, photos, diagrams, and coaching tips, this book touches on every aspect of the game so you can compete at the highest level. Trade Review“Eli Wilson’s approach and mindset helped me break into the best league in the world with confidence. Both are on display for you in Hockey Goaltending.”—Brian Elliott, NHL Goaltender, 2006-present, NHL All Star, 2012, 2015 “Eli is sharing a lifetime’s worth of learned secrets in Hockey Goaltending. I am happy to know that the next Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, or Carey Price will have taken part of their game from my good friend Eli.”—Ray Emery, NHL Goaltender, 2005-2016 “I have worked with Eli pretty much since I started playing goal as a kid. The things that have always stood out to me are his intensity on the ice and his genuine passion for the position. I continue to enjoy working with him and talking with him about goaltending to this day.” —Devan Dubnyk, Goaltender for the Minnesota Wild “Eli Wilson is always exploring and instituting new ways and ideas to help goaltenders become more proficient and consistent in their position. Our goaltending world is an ever-changing environment where technical modifications occur almost yearly, and the dialogue he and I have shared over the past decade has been invaluable to me as a coach.”—Bob Essensa, Goaltending Coach for the Boston Bruins Table of ContentsChapter 1. Selecting and Fitting Gear Chapter 2. Stance and Movement Chapter 3. Save Execution Chapter 4. Postsave Recovery Chapter 5. Puck Handling Chapter 6. Tactics Chapter 7. Off-Ice Training Chapter 8. The Mental Game Chapter 9. The Complete Goaltender

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Book SynopsisSmall-area games have been proven to increase a player’s ability to excel in tighter spaces, increase explosive speed, improve decision making, and enhance efficiency on the ice. Used with some of hockey’s most elite players, this small game methodology can now be used by coaches everywhere to develop players’ skills and put a winning team on the ice.In Coaching Hockey With Small-Area Games, Hockey Canada skills consultant Dave Cameron shares the games and coaching tips he uses with players ranging from pros (NHL, AHL, and ECHL) to young athletes just learning to play the game.He breaks down more than 50 small-area games covering all major aspects of play: Offensive skills and tactics Defensive skills and tactics Transitions Face-offs Power plays Penalty killing More than just the how, you’ll learn the why. Cameron explains the skills being developed, what to focus on during the games, and how to recognize and correct common player mistakes. And each game can be modified to match the skill level of the players.For maximum effectiveness, turn to the game finder and select the games that are most applicable based on player skill and intended developmental outcome. And to allow more time for coaching instead of planning, use the ready-made practice sessions designed for practices of different lengths and for developing specific skills.Coaching Hockey With Small-Area Games will help you create game-like situations in practice so your players can develop the skills to play smart and with precision, speed, and confidence.Trade Review“Coaches are constantly in search of ways to replicate game conditions. Limiting time and space enhances skill development and has a positive influence on decision making. The purposeful small-area games in Coaching Hockey With Small-Area Games are motivating and beneficial, and they ensure all players are never far from the action.”—Paul Carson, President of the Coaching Association of Canada“I have always felt that every coach should have a bank of small-area games to use for player development at all levels. With Coaching Hockey With Small-Area Games, one of Canada’s top coaches, Dave Cameron, has put together a resource to keep practices fun, competitive, and educational.”—Mike Johnston Sr., Vice President, General Manager, and Head Coach of Portland Winterhawks Hockey Club Table of ContentsChapter 1. Benefits of Small-Area GamesChapter 2. Designing Your Own Small-Area GamesChapter 3. Warm-Up GamesChapter 4. Offensive and Defensive GamesChapter 5. Specialty Team GamesChapter 6. Transition GamesChapter 7. Face-Off GamesChapter 8. How to Apply to Game-Like SituationsChapter 9. Developing Practice Plans From Drills to Small-Area Games

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Book SynopsisIn swift-moving prose, Sam Jefferies tells Blake Geoffrion’s story against the backdrop of modern North American hockey. Thorough research and scores of interviews fuel this tale of soaring success and terrible tragedy, offering insight into one man’s athletic journey and the rise of American hockey on the national and international stage.Trade Review“A wonderful book about the fastest, meanest, greatest sport in the world and a man who lived it to the core.”—Rich Cohen, New York Times bestselling author of Pee Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent“Jefferies captures Blake’s essence both on and off the ice, providing glimpses of a sport’s transformative journey and of a family-rooted individual, wonderful teammate, determined athlete, and passionate competitor. Although Blake has many more chapters to live, this book encapsulates his story, highlighting his passion, his sacrifice, and how he found strength in overcoming adversity.”—Hilary Knight, Olympic Medal-winning American ice hockey forwardTable of Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Foreword by John Buccigross Prologue: One Night in Montreal Chapter 1: Williamson County Chapter 2: USA Hockey Chapter 3: Finding Wisconsin Chapter 4: Chasing the Hobey Chapter 5: The Pros, and the End Epilogue Index

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Book SynopsisHockey players are stronger, quicker, and more agile than ever before. To compete and win in today’s game requires superior stamina and strength. Complete Conditioning for Hockey can help get you there with a year-round training plan that will get you primed for a winning season.Author Ryan van Asten, one of the game’s leading strength and conditioning coaches, shares the same approach he’s used with top athletes and teams at the professional and national levels—including NHL Stanley Cup winners, Canada’s Olympic gold medal–winning women’s hockey team, and multiple world championship teams. Complete Conditioning for Hockey covers every aspect of physical preparation, including these: Movement optimization Endurance and stamina Functional strength and power Acceleration and speed Change of direction and reactivity Recovery and injury risk reduction Throughout, you’ll find more than 145 exercises, each with progressions and variations, to optimize your training in order to continue your development season after season. The position-specific guidelines will help to personalize training to your skill set, experience level, and role on the team. Training plans provide specific information and exercises for the off-season, preseason, in-season, and postseason to ensure optimal peaking and recovery.Complete Conditioning for Hockey also features a detailed analysis of player movement and conditioning needs, taking the process of physical preparation for hockey to a whole new level.Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam.Trade Review"Ryan van Asten's approach to training hockey players is grounded in the fundamentals. However, he continues to evolve and innovate by seeking the best sources of information and collaborating with the brightest minds in the game. Complete Conditioning for Hockey is an excellent resource for players of all ages and coaches."—Hayley Wickenheiser, Four-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, Seven-Time IIHF World Champion, and Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee"I'm lucky to work with Ryan van Asten. He is an innovator and always ahead of the curve, which has helped me achieve peak performance on the ice. Since working with Ryan, my performance on and off the ice has improved tremendously. His holistic approach to training leaves no stone unturned. Complete Conditioning for Hockey is a must-have resource for all hockey players and coaches alike."—Dillon Dube, Player for the Calgary Flames and IIHF World Juniors Champion and Team Captain"Ryan van Asten is a prominent leader in the strength and conditioning field and continues to drive industry-leading initiatives. His knowledge allows him to navigate the needs of his athletes with ease, ensuring they are reaching their potential and making important gains. Ryan is humble in his approach and always puts his athletes first. It's not about what he knows; it's about what his athletes need. I started to work with Ryan later in my career, and he improved several areas of my game, including my power. Ryan's training helped me stay relevant in a game that was quickly evolving. The success he has achieved is not surprising; his professionalism and work ethic resonate with everyone he works with."—Carla MacLeod, Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and 2009 IIHF World Championships MVP"Ryan van Asten helped me reach and maintain peak physical condition during the long and grueling NHL season. His in-season approach to training allowed me to perform at the highest level and avoid injury during the playoffs, when the physical demands are the highest. Complete Conditioning for Hockey is highly recommended, not only for training but also for maintaining performance and avoiding injury during the season."—Alec Martinez, Player for the Vegas Golden Knights and Two-Time Stanley Cup ChampionTable of ContentsChapter 1. Physical Demands of Ice HockeyChapter 2. Assessing and Monitoring Hockey Fitness and MovementChapter 3. Optimizing Movement CapacityChapter 4. Energy Systems DevelopmentChapter 5. Systemic StrengtheningChapter 6. Training for Functional PowerChapter 7. Training for Acceleration and SpeedChapter 8. Change of Direction and ReactivityChapter 9. Recovery and Reducing Injury RiskChapter 10. Technological AdvancesChapter 11. Yearly Training Plan and Program DevelopmentChapter 12. Postseason TrainingChapter 13. Off-Season TrainingChapter 14. Preseason TrainingChapter 15. In-Season Training

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Book SynopsisA classic David & Goliath tale, complete with colourful heroes, cold-hearted villains, and nail-biting games—with the hockey rink serving as an arena for a nation’s resistance. During the height of the Cold War, a group of small-town young men would lead their underdog hockey team from the little country of Czechoslovakia against the Soviet Union, the juggernaut in their sport. As they battled on the ice, the young players would keep their people’s quest for freedom alive, and forge a way to fight back against the authoritarian forces that sought to crush them. From the sudden invasion of Czechslovakia by an armada of tanks and 500,000 Warsaw Pact soldiers, to a hockey victory over the Soviets that inspired half a million furious citizens to take to the streets in an attempt to destroy all representations that they could find of their occupiers, Freedom to Win ranges from iconic moments in history to courageous individual stories. We will witness the fearless escape by three brothers who made up the core of the national team, thrilling world championship games and gold medal matches. We will watch as a one brave player takes a stand and leads ten thousand people in a tear-filled rendition of the Czechoslovak national anthem amid chants of “freedom!” while a revolution raged in the streets of Prague. At the heart of Freedom to Win is the story of the Holíks, a Czechoslovak family whose resistance to the Communists embodied the deepest desires of the people of their country. Faced with life under the cruel and arbitrary regime that had stolen their family butcher shop, the Holík boys became national hockey icons and inspirations to their people. Filled with heart-pounding moments on the ice and unforgettable slices of history, Freedom to Win is the ultimate tale of why sports truly matter.Trade Review“In Freedom to Win, Ethan Scheiner examines a less well-known chapter of Cold War hockey: the rivalry between teams from Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union around the time of the Moscow-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Mr. Scheiner shifts between the circumstances of the invasion and the action on the ice. A sign in the stands read: ‘You send tanks, we bring goals.’” -- Benjamin Shull, The Wall Street Journal “What makes Freedom to Win so intriguing is the way it is framed. Scheiner’s book weaves hockey and world history magnificently. As he spoke with Martina Navratilova, Scheiner got his inspiration for the book’s title. ‘Those games meant everything to us. They gave us hope. They gave us a sense that we still had the freedom to win.’” -- The Hockey News“Many readers will be familiar with the time in Eastern Europe’s history centered around the Prague Spring, but fewer will know how hockey played a part in the Czechoslovakian people’s resilience. Scheiner deftly interweaves the story of Czechs and Slovaks forming a national hockey team. Much more than a book about hockey. Will appeal to hockey fans and readers interested in the relationship between sports and patriotism.” -- Library Journal"Ethan Scheiner’s Freedom to Win is a masterwork of narrative nonfiction. The research, attention to detail, colorful characters, and riveting history combine to create a remarkable book that’s impossible to put down. While the story of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and the 1969 world hockey championships may mean skating on new ice for many readers, the stirring tale of resistance to authoritarianism is both universal and timely. More than a hockey story, Freedom to Win brilliantly illustrates the transcendent power of sports in moments of crisis." -- Andrew Maraniss, New York Times bestselling author of Strong Inside, Games of Deception, Singled Out, and Inaugural Ballers“Just as war is said to be diplomacy by other means, sport can be war by other means, never more dramatically so than in the epic ice hockey games between the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia in the 1969 World Championships. A more timely story, in the light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is hard to imagine. Grippingly told, packed with rich characters, the book’s intimately narrated climax comes seven months after Soviet tanks rumbled into Prague, stifling Czechoslovakia’s attempt to break free from the hardline repressive rule the Soviets had imposed upon it. Freedom to Win is a classic tale of revenge, but much more. It is a celebration of courage, hope and human dignity, a story for the ages that needed to be told, especially right now.” -- John Carlin, New York Times bestselling author of Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation“Had Freedom To Win been delivered by a Hollywood screenwriter, it would have been regarded as fine fiction. But Ethan Scheiner's work is the real thing. History at its gripping best. Individual stories of heroism help this wonderful work shine a bright light on a history too long overlooked.” -- Stan Fischler, The Hockey News and member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame"Ethan Scheiner’s Freedom to Win is, at once, the inspiring tale of a family caught in the maw of the Cold War, and a riveting underdog story about how sports have the power to transcend and transform us all." * Monte Burke, New York Times bestselling author of Saban, Lords of the Fly, and 4th And Goal *"Freedom to Win is much more than the tale of the underdog Czechoslovakia hockey team taking on the Soviet juggernaut on the ice after the Red Army crushed the 1968 Prague Spring. While focusing on hockey, it manages to tell the entire modern story of the Czechs and Slovaks and their remarkable quest for freedom. This highly readable book deserves to make Czechoslovakia's "Miracle on Ice" as familiar as the better known (at least to American fans) U.S. hockey triumph at the 1980 Olympics." * Max Boot, Washington Post columnist and New York Times bestselling author of The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam *

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Book SynopsisMinnesota has more youth, high school, college and pro hockey players than anywhere in the United States. For all that pedigree, and despite fifty years in the NHL, it still waits for a Stanley Cup championship team. This is the improbable tale of when the self-professed State of Hockey came closest to that title with the Minnesota North Stars. Through most of the 1990-91 schedule, the team was among the worst in the NHL on the ice, and dead last at the turnstiles. But in February and March, the North Stars began to win a little more. Future Hall of Famer, Mike Modano, and a cast of characters ranging from better-than-average to journeymen played some of the best hockey of their lives behind a homegrown goalie who made everyone believe in fairy tales, for a while. This is the story of the team with the worst regular-season record in any of the major North American sports leagues to play for a championship. The second half of Mirage of Destiny relates the exhilaration, heartbreak, and the real lives of all those players, coaches and staff who came so close to being part of something historic thirty years ago.

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Book SynopsisA dozen incredible stories about hockey’s legendary goalies, on and off the ice—including Carey Price, Marc-André Fleury, Roberto Luongo, and Henrik Lundqvist.“Hockey goaltenders have forever been thought of as unique, eccentric, weird and wacky. Also misunderstood. Randi Druzin’s Behind the Mask is a fascinating examination of a dozen of those who have played the position at the highest levels. This well-researched and well-written book is revealing and delightful at the same time.”—Roy MacGregorWhile his teammates rush up the ice in a coordinated attack, the goalie is alone in his net. And when the play turns back toward him, he's prepared to step in front of a frozen rubber disc traveling 100 miles an hour. He's the last line of defense in a pitched battle. The goalie stands apart, on and off the ice. Like the relief pitcher in baseball and the place kicker in football, he is a maverick.Behind the Mask profiles 12 legendary NHL goalies, emphasizing the traits that make each one unique. It blends accounts of the goalies on-ice exploits with anecdotes about their lives off the ice information gleaned from archival research as well as interviews with teammates, family members and the goalies themselves.The careers here cover the last half-century of professional hockey from the personal struggles of Roger Crozier and Ed Giacomin on their way to stardom in the 1960s, to the recent brilliance of Carey Price, whose character blends stoicism with a deep warmth and pride in his Indigenous background.Told with author Randi Druzin’s trademark mix of knowledge and wit, Behind the Mask has all the insight and color to make it a bestseller like her previous book on NHL goalies, Between the Pipes.Hockey goalies profiled include: Roger Crozier, Detroit Red Wings / Buffalo Sabres Rogie Vachon, Los Angeles Kings Gerry Cheevers, Boston Bruins Ed Giacomin, New York Rangers Tony Esposito, Chicago Black Hawks Vladislav Tretiak, Soviet Red Army Mike Palmateer, Toronto Maple Leafs Grant Fuhr, Edmonton Oilers Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks Marc-André Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins / Vegas Golden Knights Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens Trade Review"An insightful exploration of the psyches of 12 accomplished goalies."—Library Journal“Hockey goaltenders have forever been thought of as unique, eccentric, weird and wacky. Also misunderstood. Randi Druzin’s Behind the Mask is a fascinating examination of a dozen of those who have played the position at the highest levels. This well-researched and well-written book is revealing and delightful at the same time.”—Roy MacGregor, award-winning author, journalist, and an officer of the Order of Canada.“Goaltenders are undeniably the oddballs of the hockey world. Fearless and idiosyncratic. Eccentrics of the highest order. Druzin's incisive storytelling helps us better understand some of the game's most compelling characters.”—Jeremy Allingham, author of Major Misconduct: The Human Cost of Fighting in Hockey"This book is a kick save and a beauty. Randi Druzin unmasks legendary goaltenders of the modern era, telling their wonderful stories as only she can in this gem of a book."—Steve Simmons, sports journalist, Toronto Sun“In Behind The Mask, Randi Druzin has done a masterful job of charting the lives and careers of twelve goalies, bridging the NHL’s so-called Original Six era to the League’s modern day, with a mid-book deflection into the international game. For all of their many differences, Randi illustrates that what links these dozen men is a common love of their sport. Enjoy her fascinating, illuminating stories about these legends, the last line of defence in a game that for more than a century has been about six ounces of vulcanized rubber and a net six feet wide and four feet tall.”—Dave Stubbs, NHL.com columnist and historian"With a keen eye and unique tone, Randi Druzin has created a series of vivid character sketches of the most important characters in hockey: Goaltenders. Each profile is a snapshot of an era, offering the reader a glimpse into how the position has evolved, even if the burden of being in net hasn't changed."—Sean Fitz-Gerald, sportswriter and author of Before the Lights Go Out: A Season Inside a Game on the Brink

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Book SynopsisThe untold story of hockey's deep roots from different regions of the world, and its global, cultural impact. Played on frozen ponds in cold northern lands, hockey seemed an especially unlikely game to gain a global following. But from its beginnings in the nineteenth century, the sport has drawn from different cultures and crossed boundariesbetween Canada and the United States, across the Atlantic, and among different regions of Europe. It has been a political flashpoint within countries and internationally. And it has given rise to far-reaching cultural changes and firmly held traditions. The Fastest Game in the World is a global history of a global sport, drawing upon research conducted around the world in a variety of languages. From Canadian prairies to Swiss mountain resorts, Soviet housing blocks to American suburbs, Bruce Berglund takes readers on an international tour, seamlessly weaving in hockey's local, national, and international trends. Written in a lively style witTrade Review"A captivating read. . . .Berglund’s prose is accessible and engaging and entices the reader into wanting to know more about many of the people, events, and games mentioned. Berglund has provided a significant link into the relationship between sports, communities, and politics, one that sports fans and politicians should consider." * Journal of Sport History *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction 1 • Up from the Ice 2 • Into the Arena 3 • Out of the Storm 4 • Toward New Directions 5 • On the Brink 6 • In the Money 7 • Around the World Epilogue Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Anecdotes, stories and clearly enunciated insights and analysis put The Last Hockey Game right up there on the shelf with Ken Dryden's The Game. There can be no question after reading this excellent addition to hockey's literary canon that our game isn't now and will never be the same as it was then." -- Jim Millican * Winnipeg Free Press *"The Last Hockey Game is a bold, intimate, often brilliant feat of storytelling. Bruce McDougall takes a single game, a proverbial grain of sand, and spins it into a universe. The resulting energy illuminates not just the core, the solid centre, but the ragged outer edges of the game's greatest franchises, the Leafs and Canadiens, at the height of their greatness." -- Charles Wilkins"I saw this game, and I have to say the book is even better. The Last Hockey Game has all the inside innocence, ego, snubbed cigars, honest scars and pro-gossip from the glory days when the NHL was about to lose its virginity." -- Bill Gaston"It's about a game and its players, employees in a trade where even excellent work guaranteed nothing, least of all fair treatment yet they played their hearts out, for the love of the game. But the question you'll ask yourself most often while reading The Last Hockey Game is: 'How did he find that out?'" -- Jean-Patrice Martel

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Book SynopsisBased on extensive interviews, My Left Skate: The Extraordinary Story of Eliezer Sherbatov is a first-person biography of a teenager who had it all on the hockey rink: guts, drive, and exceptional talent. When a freak accident leaves him with a permanent disability and no feeling below his left knee, everyone believes Eliezer's career is over -- everyone except his mother, a professional power skating coach. She teaches Eliezer to skate using the muscles in his upper leg, and after two and half years of operations and rehabilitation, he returns to the rink to become one of Quebec's elite junior players. Still undrafted at age nineteen, Eliezer embarks on a professional career in Europe in the hopes of one day returning to the NHL. His travels lead him to France, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, and to Poland, where he lives and plays hockey just a few kilometres from the Auschwitz death camp, haunted by memories of the past. In its stunning conclusion, My Left Skate describes Eliezer's life in Ukraine and his struggle to escape from war after Russia invades the very region in which he lives and plays.Trade Review"Eliezer Sherbatov scores a hat trick with My Left Skate. This story is wonderfully told: gritty, inspiring, joyful at times and sad at other moments. He deserves to be a hockey hero for all that he has survived." Marty Klinkenberg The Globe and Mail"My Left Skate is a phenomenally inspiring story! I couldnt put it down. Anna Rosner delivers again with her great story telling." NHL Stanley Cup Champion and Indigenous alumni Jamie Leach"All Eliezer Sherbatov ever wanted was the opportunity to suit up for the famed Montreal Canadiens. Though he never made it to the NHL, Sherbatov defied the odds and became a pro hockey player, in part because nobody bothered to measure the size of his heart. Despite his diminutive stature and life-altering injury when he was a teen, Israeli-born Sherbatov played for various clubs throughout Europe and Asia. Author Anna Rosner provides a rollercoaster journey of Sherbatovs life in My Left Skate allowing readers to cheer for him on and off the ice." Toronto sportswriter Sam Laskaris"I have been fortunate to interview a number of Hockey Hall of Famers through the years, and have read many sports-related books, and none of the stories have been more surprising, interesting and just plain enjoyable to read than My Left Skate by Anna Rosner. His story is a TV miniseries needing to be made. The heart and determination of Sherbatov to play the game he loves should be inspiring to readers of all ages." Calvin Daniels, editor of Yorkton This Week, author, and sports journalist"This powerfully written story of Eliezer Sherbatov has multiple layers of determination, perseverance, and courage. It is so much more than a sport story and captures immigration, war, and Jewish pride during trying times. Anna Rosner packed a lot into MY LEFT SKATE, a book for all ages, adults included. It should be in every school library!" Lorna Schultz Nicholson, award-winning author of over 45 books for children and young adults, including the biographies of Alex Ovechkin, Mitch Marner, and Connor McDavid

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Book SynopsisDarryl Belfry is hockey's premier development coach, with clients including Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, John Tavares, and Auston Matthews. But his highly sought-after training methods aren't only for elite NHL stars; Belfry's unique approach has helped players of all levels uncover new pathways to performance excellence. Belfry Hockey details this powerful curriculum, developed over years of studying relentlessly to identify strategic advantages others were missing. It's a system that emphasizes discovering authentic identity, pinpointing translatable skill, building a personal performance matrix, and more. Belfry also expounds on topics including his "leading from behind" technique and how to create time and space through stick handling, skating, and body position.

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Book SynopsisFrom creativity to imagination and the pursuit of excellence, ARENA: The Art of Hockey both illustrates the art of the game and examines larger ideas and issues in contemporary culture by using hockey as a framework.

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Book SynopsisWith traditions, records, and Penguins lore, this lively, detailed book explores the personalities, events, and facts every Pittsburgh fan should know. It contains crucial information such as important dates, behind-the-scenes tales, memorable moments, and outstanding achievements by singular players like Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, Paul Coffey, Jaromir Jagr, and Evgeni Malkin. This guide to all things Penguins covers which player is considered the "original Penguin," the team's first player to score 50 goals in a season, the Pens' recent back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, and more.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate the Boston Bruins' centennial with this essential coffee table book In celebration of the Original Six franchise’s 100th season, the Boston Bruins present a visually stunning retrospective featuring hundreds of archival images and vivid, in-depth writing. This official illustrated history tells the stories behind all the iconic moments, the legendary players and people, and so much more. Fans will treasure this commemorative book as a definitive portrait of Boston's rich hockey heritage.

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Book SynopsisOvercoming the Neutral Zone Trap challenges hockey’s norms, pushes its boundaries, and provides new ways of conceptualizing its role in North American culture. The editors of this engaging interdisciplinary collection use the metaphor of the neutral zone trap to explore the ways that hockey’s culture and structures work to exclude marginalized people. The book features both personal and scholarly accounts of agents of change—people, ideas, and events—that confront the challenges associated with making hockey a more inclusive space. By exposing assumptions about hockey culture, Overcoming the Neutral Zone Trap opens up critical discussions of previously underexplored topics as they relate to the women’s game, Indigenous participation, viable career pathways, masculine identities, hockey parents, mental health, and social media. This is a book for fans, players, organizers, and researchers alike. Contributors: Angie Abdou, Kieran Block, Cam Braes, William Bridel, Judy Davidson, Jonathon R.J. Edwards, Catherine Houston, Colin D. Howell, Chelsey H. Leahy, Roger G. LeBlanc, Cheryl A. MacDonald, Fred Mason, Brock McGillis, Vicky Paraschak, Brett Pardy, Ann Pegoraro, Kyle A. Rich, Tavis Smith, Noah UnderwoodTrade ReviewCheryl A. MacDonald: "I hope readers take away an understanding that a lot of people experience hockey differently than we might often think. I think that sometimes folks take for granted that hockey brings Canadians together and that Canadians all have the same experience through their participation in hockey..." Sean Hatchard, Times & Transcript, January 11, 2022"While the collection skews academic, personal stories and interviews make the book appealing and accessible for casual readers, showcasing the inclusivity the book is championing..... Though it offers no easy answers, the book gives its agents of change a rare chance to break through the defence to their goal." -- Bruce Cinnamon * Alberta Views Magazine, May 2022 *Table of ContentsPreface Cheryl A. MacDonald and Jonathon R.J. Edwards Acknowledgements I Challenging Hockey’s Norms 1 The Forgotten Canadian League: The Voices of U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Players and the Legitimacy of University Hockey in Canada Cameron Braes and Jonathon R.J. Edwards 2 Karl Subban & Me: The Parents Take on Hockey Culture Angie Abdou 3 “I want justice and more”: Loreto, Carcillo, and Dominant Narratives of Hockey Culture on Twitter Catherine Houston, Kyle Rich, Tavis Smith, and Ann Pegoraro 4 Hockey Talks: Mental Health Faces off against the “Green Lantern” Mentality Brett Pardy II Access and Support 5 “We have to work for it. For everything. Absolutely everything.”: An Examination of the Gendered Structure of Ice Hockey in U SPORTS Chelsey Leahy 6 #BeBoldForChange: The 2017 US Women’s National Hockey Team Player Boycott, Twitter, and (Neo)Liberal Feminism Noah Underwood and Judy Davidson 7 Desirable Disability: My Journey from Upright Hockey to Sledge Hockey, and Back Again Kieran Block with Cheryl A. MacDonald 8 Skating toward Reconciliation: A “Survivance” History of Indigenous Peoples in Hockey in Canada Vicky Paraschak III Masculinity and Sexuality 9 Uncovering the Conspiracy of Silence of Gay Hockey Players in the NHL Roger G. LeBlanc 10 “I never thought I’d get here, I thought I’d be dead.”: An In-depth Interview with an Openly Gay Former Professional Ice Hockey Player Cheryl A. MacDonald and Brock McGillis 11 “What do you mean you don’t play hockey…you a queer or somethin’?”: Reflections on Life as a Non-Hockey Playing Canadian Boy William Bridel 12 The Tragedy of the Enforcer in Lynn Coady’s The Antagonist and Jeff Lemire’s Roughneck Fred Mason Afterword Colin D. Howell Contributors

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Book SynopsisJourneyman is a first-person biography of Ojibwe rightwinger Jamie Leach, son of the legendary NHL superstar Reggie Leach. Follow the fascinating hockey trajectory from his childhood years watching his father play for the Philadelphia Flyers, to Jamie’s first goal in the NHL.Journeyman touches on Jamie’s summers on Lake Winnipeg, the World Junior Hockey Championships, his life in the minor leagues, and his eventual draft into the NHL as a Pittsburgh Penguin. Discover how some of hockey’s biggeststars such as Bobby Clarke, Jaromir Jagr, and Mario Lemieux influenced Jamie’s life.Written in close consultation with Jamie and his mother, readers will learn about the struggles Jamie conquered, including his father’s alcoholism and his own crippling self-doubt.A story of determination, heartbreak and perseverance.Trade Review"Recommended for hockey fans and nonfans alike. Kirkus ReviewsThis straightforward, inspiring account goes down easy and should appeal to most kids, especially skaters looking for role models. BooklistJamie is a true journeyman: dedicated and relentless in achieving his goals, and a proud yet humble teammate. Im sure youll enjoy his story, path, and insight. Bryan Trottier, former player for the NHLs Pittsburgh Penguins"

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Book SynopsisIf you think you have what it takes to answer these and hundreds more questions about the facts, stats, stories and odd tidbits about hockey, then you will enjoy every page of this collection of quizzes: * Which goaltender holds the record for lowest goals-against-average? * Who signed the longest contract in professional hockey history? * Which player won 11 Stanley Cups in his career? * Who is known as ''''the Hammer''''? * Why does Sidney Crosby wear the number 87 on his jersey? * Who was the only player ever to be named all three stars at the end of the game? * Which team has gone the longest without winning a Stanley Cup since the New York Rangers broke their 54-year Cup drought in 1994? * Who holds the record for most goals by a defensemen in one playoff season? * Who is the only retired NHL scoring champ not inducted into the Hall of Fame? * What notable job did Clarence Campbell have before becoming president of the NHL? * Answer these and many more challenging questions in the Hockey Quiz Book!

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Book SynopsisThis is the definitive reference guide to the year''s hockey stats and facts -- everything you''ll need to know: * The teams, the players and their stats * League standings, records and statistics * Leading goal scorers, penalty minutes, goalie saves * League leaders in 30 categories * Complete schedule of regular season games by team for 2008-09 * Playoff results and leaders for 2008 * All-time and active stats leaders * Off-season transactions and the 2008 Entry Draft * Stanley Cup champions * Annual NHL award winners * Who''s who in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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Book SynopsisRead about the amazing stories behind the first: * Rubber puck * 50 goals in 50 games * Goalie facemask * 92-goal season * Professional hockey league * Female to play in the NHL * All-Black hockey league * Foster Hewitt broadcast * Artificial ice rink * Forward pass * Brother vs brother goaltending dual * Goaltender to score a goal * Hat trick in Stanley Cup finals * Double hat trick * First Black player * First Native player * Slapshot * Defenseman to lead in scoring * Referee * Change on the fly * 10 straight playoff victories * Olympic Gold * Canada Cup *Hockey Dynasty * And many more...

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Book SynopsisFighting in hockey has always been controversial. While some stand up and cheer when the gloves are thrown off and two heavy weight titans go at it, others recoil at the site of bloodies faces and unconscious players. The debate has waxed and waned over the decades and has once again come to the forefront with the recent deaths of career pugilists Bob Probert, Rick Rypien, Wade Belak, and Derek Boogaard. While emotions tend to flare on this subject, this book may give the reader some perspective on the topic as it looks into the istory and development as well as the culture of fighting in hockey.

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Book SynopsisCoinciding with the 100th anniversary of the NHL, Golden Boys looks at fifty players that have shaped the history of hockey in Manitoba. Featuring detailed biographies, rare photographs and plenty of never-been-told before stories, Golden Boys is sure to delight, surprise and cause arguments amongst hockey fans young and old.

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Book SynopsisWomen have been playing hockey since the beginning?but their fights took place off the ice. Hockey wasn?t meant to include girls. Women attracted to the speed, finesse and physicality of the game had to overcome condescending attitudes, lack of resources, legal barriers and even sexual assault in their quest for legitimacy and ice time. For more than 150 years, their gender was questioned, monitored, hidden, disparaged and trivialized. Even so, teams were formed and stars emerged. Early tournaments were catalysts, inspiring pioneers with visions of what could be. From ?the miracle maid? of the early 20th century to members of today?s Professional Women''s Hockey League, these are the stories of women who truly had ice in their veins.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisHerb Brooks is one of the most revered figures in the history of ice hockey.

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Book SynopsisUntil now much of the early history of ice hockey in Scotland has been neglected or forgotten - metaphorically frozen in time, lying buried under the ice. Here, for the first time, is a comprehensive and social history of both the Club and International game in the country from the late 19th century up to 1940. It aims to restore Scottish ice hockey to its right and proper place, representing a pioneering nation in the early development and organisation of this great world-wide sport. The bulk of the book is dedicated to the eleven seasons of competition in the Scottish League in the inter-war period, where a number of themes - including the transition from amateurism to semi-professionalism and the home-based player vs the imported player controversies - are fully explored. A definitive records section has also been included. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the debt owed to ice hockey missionaries from the Land of the Maple Leaf cannot be overstated. Ice hockey represents a unique link in the long and happy social relationship which has always existed between the people of Scotland and Canada, and to which this book can be viewed as a minor contribution.

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