Searching for Bobby Orr

My best friend knows nothing about hockey. She does know who Bobby Orr is though.

The author comes right out and say it, “Bobby Orr did not give his blessing on this book.” But he is of the opinion that Bobby might have if he hadn’t been writing his own book about his life. The author honored Bobby’s request to not talk to his family. The information in this book is taken from published accounts and people who know Bobby. Some of Bobby’s friends refused to talk, others talked on condition of anonymity, this is all detailed in the book. There is information about Bobby’s life growing up in Parry Sound, how he got into hockey, his style of play etc. There is almost no information about his personal life after he got married. show more Bobby kept that part of his life private.

One of the reasons I like reading sports bios is there is usually information about the sport. This book does not disappoint in this area. We learn the history of hockey from when there were only 6 teams. Mr. Brunt talks about how hard it was to get new teams. He talks about the difference in the game then and now. We learn about agents and junior league, too many things for me to mention here. But its all there. Told in a compelling narrative that grabs and doesn’t let go.

This book was so compelling I bought my own copy. I recommend this book. show less

Stephen Brunt is one of Canada's preeminent sports journalists. His passion for hockey, and for Bobby Orr, shine through in this book, which is an unauthorized biography of Number 4. While Orr did not make himself available to the author, Brunt is well connected and was able to talk to many sources that have been close to Bobby throughout his life. My one quibble with the work is that it seemed to take for granted a pre-existing knowledge of all things Bobby, and as someone who wasn’t around for those glory years, I found myself yearning for more details on the games, seasons, and general NHL atmosphere of the time.

I liked that it was mostly an admiring portrayal, but Brunt showed some of Orr's warts as well. This book assumes a knowledge of some things that I thought was a little unrealistic(this is probably aimed toward a Canadian audience, with intimate knowledge of the Summit Series, the inaugural Canada Cup, and the misdeeds of Alan Eagleson), and I found myself wanting more background in some points.

Mostly a good book. Bobby Orr has always been someone I admired, despite having been too young to see him play. I would recommend this to other hockey fans, but probably those with more interest and knowledge of the roots of the game.

A well-written biography of one of the sport's best. Not quite at the level of Dryden's The Game, but a solid second place for this walk through the life of hockey's greatest defenseman. Game descriptions are particularly vivid.

An interesting biography of one of the greatest hockey players. Very interesting.