Walter S. DeKeseredy

This an amazing book on a very serious subject. The three writers examine the background and causes of rape culture and violence against women and what we, especially men, must do to change the culture. Using specific cases with names that most hockey fans will recognize, the writers illustrate the consequences for the women abused and the lack of consequences for the men. A timely volume considering the Junior Hockey players who currently facing a public trial in the media and eventually in court.

One player who is mentioned in many chapters for the violent abuse of his wives is Bobby Hull. The Golden Jet was the player of the 1960's who fans admired for his speed and shot on the ice but unfortunately he used his three wives as punching bags and the league and his team did nothing. The NHL is currently the only league without a domestic abuse policy and may not have one while Gary Bettman leads the League.

Chapters cover how male peer support encourages men to be abusers as does access to pornography. The pornography section was very difficult to read for this male. My last comment is the content of large sections of this study were difficult to read because the content was so cruel and harmful to women one wonders about these men and how they were raised.

While the title suggests it is only about hockey, the book also examines in less depth the same issues in other professional sports such as football and basketball.… (more)