The Boys of Winter: The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team

Great story

This book is written in a manner that simply draws you into its grasp and never lets you go. From the beginning to the end, you get to know the players and the coaches, as well as the supporting staff. I've had the great honor to meet Ken Morrow in person and visit with him a little while. The storied perspective he shares at the close of this book echoes his comments when I had the immense honor of meeting him...this only to attempt to lend some credibility to my point of view on this book. A consummate gentleman and humble individual to be certain! I rate this book among my favorites and highly recommend it to all hockey fans and historians alike. Very well done, Mr. Coffey, very well done indeed.

Nice to read about some of the lesser known players.

Wonderfully written, adding even more to what made this such a special moment in time. The Russian view points were interesting, it really gives perspective on winning with no joy.

I am normally a science fiction reader, but this book was fantastic. I didn't know a single thing about hockey before turning these pages. It's opened up a new world for me. I'm really glad I started with Wayne Coffey, an author with heart. I felt the love of the game. I can't wait to learn more. I would recommend this for long time, knowledgeable hockey fans as well. It read like a play by play with back stories and history strategically placed. I couldn't put the book down. It is a beautiful story.

Great insight into the Olympic team at Lake Placid and talks in detail about their journey

This is the first book that I've read that was written by Wayne Coffey. His writing is original, crisp and full of interesting details about the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.He juxaposes the life stories (then, since then and now) of the U.S. players into three periods of the semifinal win over the Soviet Union. I give him credit for bravely deciding that this kind of format could work. For the most part, he pulls it off. But his narration of the game, and his tale, seemed to slow down in some places, especially in the second period.Still, I skated on. I did so because my curiosity was fed: What was it like for those players as individuals in 1980 and what became of their lives here in the first decade of the 21st century? Coffey satisfied my appetite and I believe any bloke who follows hockey with soft, mild or rabid interest would find this work worthy.The 4-3 over the Soviets was not so much a miracle as it was a carefully planned ambush, brilliantly executed by coach Herb Brooks and 20 focused players who were in the best shape of their lives. The 1980 Olympic Winter Games were seminal for U.S. hockey players; those Olympics were a door-opener for hundreds of future U.S. players who played in the National Hockey League.Coffey, like all good writers, spices up his tale with curious and charming details. There is opinion and recollection by some members of that 1980 Soviet team, too. That added to the depth of the book.Mr. Coffey worked hard to find and visit members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. He matches his diligent footwork with fine writing. This book is worth your money and reading attention.

Celebrity bios are something that my mom lives for, but if it's hockey (and figure skating for that matter) polar bears couldn't keep me away. I was glad that Coffey put out this blunt and artistically written piece defining "the greatest moment in sports history" because the Miracle HBO documentary left me flat (just under an hour but had great classic clips of the '80 team's tourney tour) and Disney's Miracle was heartwarming but left out the nitty-gritty (and by that I mean UGLY) of what these guys had to endure to SURVIVE on Herbie's team let alone make the cut. Coffey's prose style was especially impressive splicing together each player's background and the US-USSR game's play-by-play as if the actors in Miracle were having flashbacks (hope you're reading this O'Connor!) during the game.The book's foreword was written by none other than #30 himself, the Golden Goalie, Jimmy Craig. Now I've read a few articles (that I could find) on Jim back in his hockey heyday (including the SI issue where he was featured on the cover) and judging by the tone of his interviews Coffey was right on the money about his complexity and uncensored opines, but he seemed pretty shy. On the other hand, the team's on-ice chatterbox certainly grew into that role (judging by the guy's website advertising his corporate motivational speaking tours) off the ice since his NHL life turned out to be one of those celeb morality tales. Whatta salesman- and he became one after retirement. But it was nice to hear from the flip side, Craig's Minnesotan counterpart, #1 and the answer to a trivia question, Steve Janaszak. This bond salesman who became a Long Island transplant turns out to be cool as a cucumber over the fact he got NO ice time during the Olys and very little game time overall for that season, despite being MVP the season prior when Minnesota U won the '79 NCAA. The saddest account was #15 Mark Wells, his was a true Cinderella story battling a crippling back injury, a failed business, and pain killer addiction after winning the gold. As for the Charlestown native growing up rough in an all-Irish 'hood, #17 Jack O'Callahan proved himself to be the badass (and then some) for Brooks, the Blackhawks, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. And if you're wondering why #16 Mark Pavelich was a no-show for the '02 Olys (and ironically he has the most decorated NHL career out of the group) the story of a hunting trip with his best friend gone horrifically wrong might provide some illumination.Those are just a few of the stories, take them to heart as this book makes them real people and that's what fueled mythos of the Miracle Team. Also, you can't help but NOT hate the Russians. Yes those evil Commie Reds (BTW communism is a bunch of crap or Cuba and to a SEVERELY lesser extent North Korea would be paradises) are human too with foibles, families, and a crazy coach that looks like a chicken. Stan Laurel- I mean Boris Mikhailov, pfft! You can't beat that guy? Pfft!

...look forward to read this fabulous story about the 1980's miracle at lake placid! Wayne Coffey is a trustfully writer.

After watching the movie countless times! I came across this book. It offers a more in depth look at both teams in the build up to the game and the players lives afterwards. Enjoyable read and still brings out the goosebumps at all the right times!

Un libro molto interessante per coloro che amano l'hockey. È un libro molto dettagliato e contiene tante informazioni. I liked it.

Great book for a speedway addict

A very well researched book about the USA olympic ice hockey team and its triumph against the odds over the mighty Russian red machine.