Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
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 crossed boundaries and drawn from different cultures--between Canada and the United States, across the Atlantic, among different regions of Europe. It has been a political flashpoint, within countries and internationally. And it has been a venue for 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. Taking us from the Canadian prairies to Swiss mountain resorts, from Soviet housing blocks to American suburbs, Bruce Berglund seamlessly weaves hockey's local, national, and international currents. Written in a lively style with wide-ranging breadth and attention to telling detail, The Fastest Game in the World will thrill both the lifelong fan and anyone who is curious about how our games intertwine with politics, economics, and culture.
Synopsis
The 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 boundaries--between 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 with wide-ranging breadth and attention to telling detail, The Fastest Game in the World will thrill both the lifelong fan and anyone who is curious about how games intertwine with politics, economics, and culture.