Tropic Of Hockey: My Search for the Game in Unlikely Places Kindle Edition

This was an interesting book. It was not what I was expecting, but it was a good read none the less. It follows a writer who is from Canada that wants to play hockey in different parts of the world. He begins in Asia, then moves onto the Middle East and finally ends up in Eastern Europe. It was a unique read and the history that the writer digs up is impressive. However the writer tends to add what I would call flashbacks of his childhood in the book. I was a little confused by this, but the writer did tie it all together. This is a good read for the hockey fan and it did keep me engaged.

Interesting concept and presents a face on the game in places you might not expect. That said, I found the author's occasional and not-so-subtle remarks about Canada's relationship to the game to be eye-rolling and condescending. Yes, we get it, Canada loves hockey in a way that no other country does, but you can relate that without putting down hockey in other places. This was especially present in his discussion about the Foxes: apparently seeing a competitive hockey team from New Jersey was strange to him? Not to mention the overbearing detour about how much he loves Wendel Clark and the Maple Leafs.

This book ranks with Ken Dryden's books, The Game and Home Game, and Jack Falla's Home Ice as being among the best hockey books I've read, and I've read a ton. Tropic of Hockey is equal parts travel journal (with visits to China, the United Arab Emirates, and Romania), hockey manifesto (weighing in on topics as diverse as the Hungarian invention of the blocker and Wendel Clark), and bawdy anecdote collection (particular highlights are Chinese bathrooms and hockey equipment adjustment). Dave Bidini manages to do all expertly and interchangeably, creating a book that's difficult to put down. The cover of my edition has a quote from Roy MacGregor, a dean of Canadian hockey writing, that calls Bidini, "The Bill Bryson of hockey writing," which is not only a good comparison, but a deserved compliment. Highly recommended for both hockey fans and people who enjoy entertaining non-fiction.

Anyone who can't resist the chance to spend their free time packing a giant bag of stinking equipment and heading to a hockey rink at hours other people reserve for sleeping or partying can understand.Dave Bidini finds the same love for hockey in China, Dubai, and Romania, from the beginners to the town favorites. I play hockey in Yokohama, and having travelled with the navy I've found myself hunting rinks in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Bahrain, and Dubai. His descriptions of the ex-pats, the passionate beginners and intermediate players, the social interactions, and the contrasts and similarities and ups and downs is right on. Not only that, it's a funny, honest book.Highly recommended for anyone who has forgotten the pure joy of learning the game, not to mention the value of basic facilities, equipment, and opportunity many take for granted.

I love sports books like this. The author does a good job finding places where you wouldn't think hockey is played. I enjoyed the book.

I was like Dave that got bored of hockey, his book was interesting and entertaining.His writing style is probably not for all, but I enjoy it.This is a man that truly admires the game, and although his hockey skills are not the top of the class, he certainly knows how to have people understand what he is looking for on his travels and the joys he gets from meeting people that also love the great game on ice.