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Dave Bidini
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Tropic of Hockey: My Search for the Game in Unlikely Places Hardcover – April 1, 2002

by Dave Bidini (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
The Canadian writer, musician, and hockey enthusiast recounts his journey around the world in search of the true spirit of hockey, including stops in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Transylvania, and Manchuria.
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  1. Print length
    312 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    UNKNO
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1585744646
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1585744640
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Canadian writer and rock musician Bidini (On a Cold Road) shares his rediscovery of hockey and the global odyssey that brought him back to his nation's sport. Bidini's narrative is funny and thoughtful as he comes to grips with national identity, which in Canada almost invariably means hockey. The book's central theme is that of a dispossessed fan, one who grew out of the sport as he embraced rock and roll, only to rediscover the joy and beauty of hockey as an adult. An avid recreational player, Bidini tells a funny story about his search for the real game. Bored nearly to death by the clutch-and-grab NHL of the late 1990s, he spends an evening watching Martha Stewart instead of his once-beloved playoffs. "I had no choice but to leave," he quips. And leave he does, searching the earth for hockey in its purest form. From Hong Kong to Manchuria, from Transylvania to the United Arab Emirates, the author discovers players and personalities the casual NHL fan would never imagine. Like all good travelogues, Bidini's carries a healthy dose of soul searching; a great storyteller, he's at his best when he stumbles upon revelations about himself or hockey. Perhaps the book's greatest strength is that it is among the first hockey books written by someone entirely outside the pro game. Free from the behavioral constraints and clannish codes of the locker room, Bidini tells a story about hockey that neither Wayne Gretzky nor the author's beloved Wendel Clark could mimic. Canadians have enjoyed this book for almost two years; it's time American readers got a chance to read this gem.

From Library Journal

The goal of Canadian hockey enthusiast, writer, and musician Bidini was to see whether the true game existed outside of North America. Technically, the game is played consistently around the globe; the real question was the cultural imperatives players brought to the game. Bidini's travelog is thus a humorous cultural expos‚ of people and how they play the game. The adventure included stops in China, Singapore, the Philippines, a rink on the eighth floor of a mall in Hong Kong, the desert city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Transylvania (in Romania), where hockey remains a war between rival ethnic groups. The result is a delightful read that both armchair travelers and aficionados will enjoy. Recommended for public libraries and all sports collections. Larry R. Little, Penticton P.L., B.C.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ UNKNO; First Edition (April 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 312 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1585744646
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1585744640
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

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Dave Bidini

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4.5 out of 5 stars
19 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Jeffrey R. Leinbach
    5.0 out of 5 stars There's hockey where?
    Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2003
    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.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • firefighter
    5.0 out of 5 stars a great read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2002
    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.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Victor Ignatiev
    4.0 out of 5 stars but it was a good read none the less
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2018
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    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.
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  • Mike
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting concept and presents a face on the game in ...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Wayne Murphy
    5.0 out of 5 stars life's like a bag of hockey equipment...
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2002
    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.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • TruxtonSpangler
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good
    Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2013
    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.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • David A
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on March 2, 2018
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    Awesome
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  • Anatoli Prumski
    5.0 out of 5 stars Crazy & brilliantly
    Reviewed in Germany on May 17, 2016
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    One of the best hockey books ever. Dave Bidini looks and finds THE GAME in unlikely places. Very nice stories about the best sport of the world. We wait for part II ;)
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