Customer Reviews

Thunder and Lightning: A No-B.S. Hockey Memoir

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's mostly a bunch of anecdotes thrown together to make a book esp. on Phil's playing days. Where it gets better and reads more like a book is from Phil's management days with the NY Rangers and TB Lightning. I just love the whole behind-the-scenes stuff on how dumb owners are in hockey. The NYR turning down getting Gretzky in his prime because their building was full so they "didn't need #99." Or trades often made by owners with GMs finding out after the fact--who knew this went on?

The whole mystery of the J-owners in Tampa is revealed and shows how Phil really is one hell of a dealmaker in getting hockey started there (and one Stanley Cup later...no matter what you think of hockey in the Deep South...that team is a success now on and off the ice).

I went out and purchased this book simply because I knew Esposito has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind. Well, as I assumed, he speaked his mind and more in this memoir. He talks about everything from his childhood growing up, to the Canada/Russia '72 series. I had a good laugh over some of the stories he had shared and also learned a few things. A good portion of the book is his hockey career, but once he tells of him retiring and moving on to start up the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise, I found the book a little dull. The funny stories faded and it became more of ranting and complaining than anything. It's probably why I'm giving this book four stars. Nevertheless, it's definetly worth a read and any hockey fan should open it up.