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  • The Game

  • 20th Anniversary Edition
  • Written by: Ken Dryden
  • Narrated by: Ken Dryden
  • Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (167 ratings)

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The Game

Written by: Ken Dryden
Narrated by: Ken Dryden
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Publisher's Summary

Widely acknowledged as the best hockey book ever written and lauded by Sports Illustrated as one of the Top 10 Sports Books of All Time, The Game is a reflective and thought-provoking look at a life in hockey. Intelligent and insightful, former Montreal Canadiens goalie and former President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ken Dryden captures the essence of the sport and what it means to all hockey fans. He gives us vivid and affectionate portraits of the characters - Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe, Serge Savard, and coach Scotty Bowman among them - that made the Canadiens of the 1970s one of the greatest hockey teams in history. But beyond that, Dryden reflects on life on the road, in the spotlight, and on the ice, offering up a rare inside look at the game of hockey and an incredible personal memoir. This commemorative edition marks the 20th anniversary of The Game's original publication. It includes black and white photography from the Hockey Hall of Fame and a new chapter from the author. Take a journey to the heart and soul of the game with this timeless hockey classic.

© 1983, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2005 Ken Dryden (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Featured Article: Top 13 Canadian Sports Players of All Time

Sid the Kid, The Great One, Burkie and more are waiting in this selection of amazing audiobooks paying homage to Canada’s great sporting heroes.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

I grew up in Montreal in the 70s and early 80s. I lived on the West Island. Mom would make dad take us downstairs to watch the games because there was always too much yelling, so much excitement. The old black and white was just fine for us. Cup after cup, yes, it's as though it was expected. Guy Lafleur was my favorite to watch with all that long hair. As a little girl dreaming though, it was Ken Dryden that I was going to marry someday haha. Good memories of my dad who would make us a little Stanley Cup with the silver paper out of his large du maurier regular cigarette pack. Thank you Ken, I enjoyed listening to this book. I learned some things I never knew about the history of hockey. It was nice to hear what went on in the dressing room before and after games. Mostly though, it took me back to my childhood, the late nights playing hockey at Brook Park or playing in front of our house at the dead end of the street. My brothers would tell me, you're so good in net, you should be a goalie. I was never a goalie, I was always a forward player. They just liked taking shots on me with that frozen orange ball in the dead of winter, my legs were so cold I didn't feel it till I went in the house and had red circles on my legs. I remember dad telling me about the up-and-coming Wayne Gretzky, I said who is that, and he said, that's the next Lafleur and I said no way, that can't happen. Montreal was special. It still is. I have a different feeling walking around Montreal then I do in Toronto. Anyway, I enjoyed this book, thanks for the memories.

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I very poignant account for the casual hockey fan.

This book had it all, good stories about such a great franchise, thoughts on the changing areas of the game and what it was like to be a hockey player in Montreal. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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Excellent.

A great hockey book. Interesting read for any sports fan. Dryden provides great detail into what it's like to play in the NHL.

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The definitive book about hockey.

The Game by Ken Dryden is well written, smart and insightful. The story, told from the perspective of one of the game's most legendary players, provides insight about the game itself while offering a unique glimpse into the world of professional hockey players. The narration, by the author himself, is engaging and interesting. Worth a read for anyone interested in the game of hockey.

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Big Canadian Energy

What did we do to deserve this kind of love letter to Canadian culture? An amazing glimpse behind the curtain of a Canadian dynasty and the thoughts of a cerebral athlete.

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Entertaining and Informative

Great presentation as usual from one of the greats. Covered the game in depth and to the point.

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  • SA
  • 2022-11-05

absolute best book about hockey ever written.

so good, really good, I'm forced to write 15 words, but so good is all that is needed

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It's the story you're hoping it will be and more

As a lifelong hockey fan whose parents were just kids when Dryden was playing, I wasn't sure how much I would be able to get into this book. Add to that the fact that I'm a die-hard Leafs fan and you doubly understand my uncertainty. But wow. Dryden is a beautiful writer; his memories of his last NHL season are bright and vivid, his characterizations of his teammates are delightfully life-like, and his observations on the history and future of hockey are undeniably poignant. I'm so glad I decided to press play in spite of my reservations, and for any Canadian interested in a nostalgic, critical, but hopeful story of this great game, I highly recommend you do the same.

(Also audiobooks read by the author are always special; Dryden's accent is charming and his French is terrible--except for when he swears, then he sounds perfectly francophone--which makes the audiobook feel even more sincere)

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Didn't know what I was in for

Enjoyed the stories. Was a new look at the way hockey has changed over the years. I would recommend to people who are interested in hearing Dryden talk about his thoughts on the game of hockey both on the ice and the changes that have come from how different factors over the years influence it. Examples being certain players, or the money and its effect over the years and some fun stories about his time in the game as well.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Not an endorsement of the game

An interesting perspective on the game that captivates us. At times critical at all points of the compas. A tough game to break into, a tough game to percevear and to finally leave after a few short years.

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  • steve
  • 2014-03-11

Outstanding book for all hockey fans

Excellent book for hockey lovers! Personally, I love the sport, and I know a lot about this specific era, so for me it was worth it. I especially loved the second part of the book while the part on the history and on the evolution of the rules for the game was excellent. The different strategies in comparing Canadian hockey versus the Russians' style of play was also great. However, if you aren’t a fan of Dryden or if you aren’t old enough to know about the players during his era that he discusses you may find this listen a little boring as Dryden is somewhat dry as a narrator. Nevertheless, I loved the book and was left wanting to hear more!

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  • JJ
  • 2016-09-29

MUST READ for Hockey/Sports Fans

What did you love best about The Game?

The depth and insight Ken Dryden provides as we look into the life and locker room of a professional athlete. His honest and introspective perspective is powerful, as well as his knowledge and understanding of the history and trends of the game. As a goaltender myself, his description of a goalie mentality is spot-on!

What other book might you compare The Game to and why?

I've never read a book like this but thoroughly enjoyed it.

Which scene was your favorite?

The locker room scenes were hilarious, but I think my favorite part was hearing Ken talk about the goalie's mentality and how each player evolves over time.

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  • Robert
  • 2013-10-08

A Brilliant Book

After listening to 'Season on the Brink' I did not think there could be a better sports book but then I heard 'The Game' by Ken Dryden and was blown away.

Dryden is not only considered one fo the greatest goalies ever (5 Vezina trophies) on one of the best teams ever 1970s Montreal Canadiens (6 Stanley Cups) but he is also extremely intelligent and articulate. A graduate of Cornell/McGill law school Dryden is a jock with an excellent ability to express himself and articulate his views of the game.

This book is not so much an autobiography as much as a collection of intelligent/articulate/accesible streams of consiousness about The Game of hockey. Dryden goes into great detail about among other things the workmanlike aspect of being a proffesional athlete; the changes to the game and its rules; the influence of the Europeans on what used to be 'Canada's game'; life on the road; the thoughts that go through an athlete's head in the midst of "the game''; the role hockey plays in Canadian identity (especially amongst youth) and why Canada has fallen behind as a hockey power; the business of hockey; and most importantly the colorful menagerie of teammates and locker room shenanigans/memories/camraderie from those great teams from the 70's (Lafleur, Shutt, Robinson, Gainey Lapointe, and of course the legendary coach Scotty Bowman).

Dryden has a modest view of himself as a player constantly questioning his ability and his need to never let the team down. He gives some honest psychological insight in to the high pressure/eccentric position of being a goalie.

I would reccomend this book to any sports/hockey fan (even layman) or person that values high quality non-fiction writting. This is not only a great sports book but an excellent piece of non-fiction literature; it is very rare that someone with this level of skill in his chosen field (hockey) is so clear, intelligent, and articulate in giving a first person view of his passion.

Dryden himself narrates the book and he is not exactly as articulate in his speaking as his writting but he manages to do the job.

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  • PHILIP C.
  • 2021-06-09

Love the writing style

Dryden has some great quotes. i love his writing style. At the end we flash forward to 2003 but virtually all of this classic is still relevant and fundamental to the game today.

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  • Warren
  • 2017-11-26

Boring!

Very boring. Dryden drones on in a monotonous tone. The work is basically a long drawn out verbal free flow of thought. Never really gives insight into the game or what it takes to excel at hockey. Overly, glorifies teammates. Seems they were a bunch of saints. Boring! Boring! Boring!

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  • Steven Rochon
  • 2017-03-14

Unique & Insightful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

Dryden provides an insight to hockey, and being both a Canadian and un Canadien that few have, and fewer can express has he does.

Have you listened to any of Ken Dryden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The last chapter, entitled OVERTIME, was particularly enjoyable

Any additional comments?

In 1971, Dryden broke my heart as he and the Canadiens beat my Blackhawks in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. At the same time, he was an inspiration to a 15 year old goaltender who, at 6'6", was shown how that size could offer unique ways to play the position as never before. Now, as a 61 year old, his insight on the game and his experiences brought back many memories, proved prophetic in regards to hockey decades later, and provided me with hours of entertainment.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2015-06-29

Stunning!

I came to be a hockey fan later in my life, and quite by accident. I didn't grow up following the sport. Ken Dryden's wonderful book has "filled in the blanks" for me. Not just a wonderful book about hockey, it is also a wonderful book about life. My strongest recommendation!

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  • See Reverse
  • 2023-09-08

The Best Hockey Book of it's Time

Ken Dryden starts off highlighting the stories and life of a professional hockey player in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's, and finishes by covering the evolution and meaning of the game of the course of it's history. Dryden is brutally honest about the inter-generational politics as the game evolved from it's roots, into the national sport of Canada, into the North American and European game that drove passion and energy between the United States and the U.S.S.R. Easily the most interesting analysis of the game, the league, and it's players written when this book was published!

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  • Saltyman80
  • 2023-06-24

Kind of a tough read unless you’re a hockey historian

Constant name dropping in the book. I am a newer hockey fan so most the names mean little to me and it’s tough to follow because he’s constantly talking about other players. It’s tough to keep track of who’s who. The story is decent if you can avoid getting caught up in the names that you don’t know.

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  • J. Grablowski
  • 2023-03-24

Not just for hockey fans

Here we have a perfect crossroads of artist and athlete distilled into a beautifully told memoir of astonishing self reflection.

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