Played on frozen ponds in cold northern lands, hockey seemed an
especially unlikely game to gain a global following. But from its
beginnings in the 19th century, the sport has drawn from different
cultures and crossed boundaries - between Canada and the United States,
across the Atlantic, and among different regions of Europe. It has been
a political flashpoint within countries and internationally. And it has
given rise to far-reaching cultural changes and firmly held traditions.
The Fastest Game in the World is a global history of a global sport,
drawing upon research conducted around the world in a variety of
languages. From Canadian prairies to Swiss mountain resorts, Soviet
housing blocks to American suburbs, Bruce Berglund takes listeners on an
international tour, seamlessly weaving in hockey's local, national, and
international trends. Written in a lively style with wide-ranging
breadth and attention to telling detail, The Fastest Game in the World
will thrill both the lifelong fan and anyone who is curious about how
games intertwine with politics, economics, and culture.