Kooks and Degenerates on Ice: Bobby Orr, the Big Bad Bruins, and the Stanley Cup Championship That Transformed Hockey Paperback – September 8, 2021

This is full of information in good detail. A book about The Golden Jet and his experiences is always a good read for an NHL fan, especially a Bruins fan

The gift recipient enjoyed it

I bought this book because Bill O'Reilly (political commentator) recommended it. As a Bruins fan, I was glad to see it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Bruins 1970 championship. I was born in 1969 and I missed all this action. I have heard some of the stories before and seen some video clips of what the book describes. The Bruins and hockey are not even mentioned in the books first 16 pages. Mr. Whalen presents an overview of the era of 69-70 and informs you what was happening in the world at the time. From there, we get snatches of Bruins history beginning with Eddie Shore and going to the 1969 team. If you have no idea about hockey's good old days, you will be shocked at the people and events in this book. No punches are pulled at all. These men would skate outside in freezing weather, beat each up silly with fists and sticks and just shrug it off as being part of the game. You do learn the truth about players and if you didn't know the truth before, it will surprise you. I enjoyed this book very much but thought that the book could have been longer as it is only 210 pages of story. Although the Bruins cup run is captured well, I would have enjoyed reading about more of the regular season games. That could have bumped the page number up quite a bit. Being what it is, it was a good read.

This was perhaps the sloppiest book I have ever read. Spelling errors abound. The Montreal Canadiens constantly referred to as Canadians. Tex Rickard referred to as Tex Richard. Bud Poile referred to as Bud Polie. Phil Goyette as Phil Coyette, Eddie Johnston as Eddie Johnson. Alberta presented as a Canadian city? Jacques Lemaire "past his prime in 1971" really? Larry Keenan referred to as Larry Kennan. This book needed a proof reader and fact checker in my opinion.

Author didn’t seem to do any in person interviews but rather relied on newspaper reports that he compiled in a book. Very little material on regular season games books jumps right into the 1970 playoffs after spending a lot of time writing about opponents like Stan Mikita. A few chapters as well on the politics of the 1960s which I didn’t think it was necessary.I would rather read more in depth stories on different characters and members of the Bruins team than opponents or politics.To me, disappointed maybe a harsh term, but believe the book in could have been a great read. Just disappointed in the lack of stories from the 70 and 72 regular seasons and limited info on the cup run from 1972.