Today, I'm looking at Boy on Ice: The life and death of Derek Boogaard, by John Branch.

First and foremost, this book was written after Boogaard's death. However, Derek's family was willing to help write this story.

It's a story of Derek's rise to fame as an enforcer, his time at the top, and how he fell just as fast, if not faster, from his perch. It's a scary tale of what can happen when someone has access to painkillers and other drugs, and an especially scary tale of what does happen when the system is not able to keep up with a player's desire to obtain more of what he believes he needs.

Derek's rise to fame with Minnesota is well chronicled. Same with his use and eventual abuse of painkillers. It boggled my mind time and again as to just how he was able to get so many prescriptions without someone stopping to say "Hey, wait a minute."

It's the tale of a 28-year old who wanted so desperately to be accepted on the ice as a member of the NHL, and yet, when given a role to play, no matter how good at it, Derek had trouble playing this role.

It's a sad tale of the NHL and the drug abuse system that Derek was able to work his way through the cracks and continue his actions.



Link to Powell's City of Books:

http://www.powells.com/book/boy-on-ice-the-life-death-of-derek-boogaard-9780393351910/1-0


Link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Ice-Death-Derek-Boogaard/dp/0393351912/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450658219&sr=8-1&keywords=Boy+on+Ice+The+Life+%26+Death+of+Derek+Boogaard


Link to Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/boy-on-ice-john-branch/1118484490?ean=9780393351910

I'm back with a new review! Today, we're looking at A Matter of Inches, by Clint Malarchuk, with Dan Robson.

No doubt, everyone is familiar with Clint Malarchuk, the NHL goalie, because of one incident. He's the goalie that suffered a near fatal skate cut across his throat on Wednesday, March 22nd, 1989. It took 300 stitches to close the wound. But he was playing hockey again just 10 days later.

There's a lot more to Clint than just the one incident. He's had to deal with severe OCD his entire life. While playing WHL hockey in Portland, it helped drive him to be the best possible player. This worked in his favor as he was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques.

The book details the ups and downs of his career. It's a no-holds barred, down and dirty look at the dark side of someone's mind. It's going to take you places that you may not like, it may awaken things you haven't dealt with in your own life. Speaking for myself, I know that I was brought nearly to tears because of things he talks about. It hits close to home. We're talking someone that has literally been to the very edge, and come all the way back. It's inspirational, devastating; it leaves you wanting to keep reading to see how it all works out in the end.

I highly recommend this book. It's going to change your view of goalies, hockey, and life in general. For more information about Clint Malarchuk, go check out his webpage at www.malarchuk.com


Link to Powell's City of Books, located in Portland, OR:

http://www.powells.com/book/a-matter-of-inches-9781629370491/17-0

Link to Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Matter-Inches-Survived-Crease-Beyond/dp/1629370495/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449969731&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Matter+of+Inches

Link to Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/matter-of-inches-clint-malarchuk/1120425829?ean=9781629370491

...and here we are, in the middle of November. Hockey is well into the season, wherever you may be. I am hoping to be able to put up some more reviews in the near future, but nothing is set in stone as of yet.

Hopefully, more reviews will be coming soon... hang in there, readers!

It's been awhile. My wife and I have found a business opportunity that has us driving dogs around the lower 48 US states.

Now, while we're still driving, I'm able to review the books with the aid of a new Kindle.

So, new books are arriving soon, and I will post them from wherever I happen to be.


Stay tuned!