Orr: My Story
Orr: My Story book cover

Orr: My Story

Paperback – Illustrated, October 7, 2014

Price
$18.00
Format
Paperback
Pages
336
Publisher
Berkley
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0425277027
Dimensions
6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
Weight
12 ounces

Description

Review Praise for Orr: My Story “This is a book more about a man than about a hockey player...Epic and noble.”— The Atlantic “A must-read for anyone...who fondly remembers the glory years of the Big Bad Bruins.”— The Sun Chronicle “[Orr] wrote the book…as if he were coaching both his sport and society, delivering lessons in honor and responsibility while he examines hockey at its best and worst.”— The Boston Globe “A gripping personal record: tracing the arc from stunning rookie phenom to defeated hero. The story is moving. It’s a book that devotees of sport have to have on their bookshelves.”— Winnipeg Free Press About the Author Bobby Orr played for the Boston Bruins from 1966 to 1976, and then two more years for the Chicago Blackhawks. Among other records and honors, he remains the only defenseman to win the Art Ross Trophy league scoring title—twice—and he still holds the record for most points and assists at that position. He also won a record eight consecutive Norris Trophies as the NHL’s best defenseman, and three consecutive Hart Trophies as the league’s MVP, as well as two Conn Smythe Trophies as the Stanley Cup MVP. Orr was the youngest living player to be inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame, at thirty-one.

Features & Highlights

  • Hockey legend Bobby Orr tells his story, from his Ontario childhood to his years with the Bruins and Blackhawks to today in this
  • New York Times
  • bestselling sports memoir.
  • Bobby Orr is often referred to as the greatest defenseman ever to play the game of hockey. But all the brilliant achievements leave unsaid as much as they reveal. They don’t tell what inspired Orr, what drove him, what it was like for a shy small-town kid to suddenly land in the full glare of the media. They don’t tell what it was like when the agent he regarded as a brother betrayed him and left him in financial ruin. They don’t tell what he thinks of the game of hockey today. Now he breaks his silence in a memoir as unique as the man himself.... INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(794)
★★★★
25%
(331)
★★★
15%
(199)
★★
7%
(93)
-7%
(-93)

Most Helpful Reviews

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A Heartfelt Read for Any Fan of Any Sport

See this link for photo to my opening statement on this review: [...]
This photo is the one photo missing from Mr. Orr’s biography. A terrific book that covers the many aspects of his life, personal, professional, and in all manners of dignity simply a decent read. I was disappointed of course there was no mention of the Vietnam Veterans in this book – but as a kid growing up in Canada I recall a CBC news article on television that showed a picture of U.S. Army Soldiers in Phu Bai South Vietnam that took a picture with the poster shown here in between all the players – one soldier was at the time also holding a poster or a flag of the Boston Bruin logo and #4 ORR sweater number. This said, the lack of inclusion of this photo and lack of even a small reference to the Vietnam Veterans of the era does not in itself take away from this book.

The story is both interesting and heart felt. The final chapters of this book is where Mr. Orr opens up to his fans and public and in some ways was able to dispel and exorcise whatever small demons may have existed due to none other than the business mogul turned player criminal in both Canada and the USA in Alan Eagleson. Mr. Orr struggles a bit following his early end to the hockey he loved and the NHL that he played for – like a phoenix however he reinvents himself and today is successful on many fronts to the business aspect of hockey while attempting to care for the youth who play sport. He has some solid advice within these pages for parents, coaches, and the application of the business model. Even keel temperament and individual responsibility lay at the heart of this advice.

It was quite touching to read of his respect for Mr. Hockey in Gordie Howe – this book was published when Mr. Howe was still alive. There are other hockey players he references within these pages as well such as Jean Béliveau, Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyck, Serge Sevard; announcers in Foster Hewitt; fishing trips with baseball great Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, and a deep respect for Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, and a modern day reference and respect for Tom Brady Quarterback for the New England Patriots. I enjoyed the reference to Mildt Schmidt a coach he played for in the early days of his career. Milt was known as “Uncle Milty” a reference to the “Uncle Milty” show of the 1950’s starring none other than Milton Berle – an American class act for the era that led all the way through the 1980’s. Mr. Orr is proud of his Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada roots – reading of how he played hockey as a young boy on the lakes, creeks, and other watered areas reminded me of my own humble beginnings in the sport as I was raised in London and Windsor Ontario Canada. I recall quite vividly having a hockey card after Mr. Orr was traded to Chicago – the favorite part of those old time hockey cards for me was the cartoon stick men drawn on the back the phrases that most likely would represent the player featured on the front. On the back of this card the stick man was actually two men – one of Bobby Hull and Bobby Orr both – the caption read “Just call us Bobby!” That card ended up in the spokes of my bike like most other baseball and hockey cards of the era. As a kid I simply enjoyed the flickering sound as my wheels would turn and the spokes would hit whatever card dejour would be placed there on any given day. Though I wish I had that card now among many others of the era gone by, I am equally glad I could be a simply kid at the time as well.

Between Ken Dryden’s book, Gordie Howe’s book, and now Bobby Orr’s book – I would have to say that Mr. Dryden’s is still my favorite. Mr. Howe can no longer come back to update his book but I hope Mr. Mark Howe will; I also hope that Mr. Orr will come back and provide to his fans and fans of all sports the periodic update. In this book I found a new respect for Mr. Don Cherry – a guy hockey fans either love or hate. As a U.S. Marine – I simply appreciate the straight forwardness of this book – honest to a point and heartfelt to near tear. Thank you Mr. Orr.
3 people found this helpful
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Phenomenal player, grotesque writer.

I got this book as a christmas gift from my daughter because I love hockey and play year round. I am 30 pages from finishing and it's a test of willpower.
Bobby Orr is one of the greatest players in history. And probably a great person as well. But this has to be the worst autobiography ever written. Every page is a litany of cliches, statements of the obvious and bouquets to people he admires: like mom and dad!
If anyone other than an athlete had offered something like this to a publisher he/she would have been laughed out of the office.
Filled with sage advice like "Play the game for fun" and "Parents should encourage their children to follow what they love" and "Arnold Palmer is a swell guy". After a while it just get so monotonous that you have to lay down and take an aspirin.
Buy it at your own risk.
2 people found this helpful
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Bobby Orr FOR Christmas!

Every Child should read this book. Bobby Orr is was a true team player. The best role model in the history of hockey. Perfect gift for any occasion.
2 people found this helpful
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enjoyable hockey memoir

Bobby Orr is an amazing human being, and that come across loud and clear in this book. I was a teenager when Orr played for the Bruins, and I loved him and the whole Bruins team. I especially loved the chance to relive those years through this book. Because Bobby Orr is so modest, his amazingness as a player is a bit muted. The book does not capture how unbelievable he was as a player. Orr is such a good guy, he does not want to hurt or embarrass anyone, and so this does not have the sharp edges that other sports memoirs have. His agent, Alan Eagleson, is the only person he trashes. Orr does not want to offend people, but also, he sees people in their best light, and that comes across here. This is far from a great book, but I like Bobby Orr so much that this made me feel good reading it. If you love hockey and want to spend time with a great human being, I expect that you will enjoy this book.
1 people found this helpful
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Great autobiography

This is a great autobiography written by one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the ice. What makes it even better is how humble and appreciative Bobby Orr really is Great stories and even better life lessons. A great read especially for young athletes who need to see the way a truly great athlete carries themself.
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Great book!

Excellent autobiography by the all time
Best defenseman to ever lace up the skates
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Loved the book

Great book
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As promised

Book in great condition and delivered early.
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Awful!

I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to books about sports. However this was simply awful and I quit reading after 4 chapters. In total agreement with the other 1 star ratings about it being preachy and boring.
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Wonderful book!

Wonderful book about a truely inspiring person!