None of the business talk weighed it down and in fact, in a lot of ways added to the lightness of the book when presented simultaneously with the experiences and stories of the players and teams that were involved.ĭon't assume however that he treated the whole event as if a joke. It could have even been a dry, straight-forward retelling, as it certainly spoke enough about the business of sport to garner it.īut Ed Willes managed to weave all of it artfully with a light and humourous air that allowed the tale to float along seamlessly.

It's so easy to imagine such a story could be treated somberly, like those regretting what they lost, or more likely disapproving of its existence, as Harold Ballard would have certainly done if he had written this book. The tone of the book also really helped sell the story and make it so enjoyable. The characters in the books are simply unparalleled and really did illustrate the character and personality of this cowboy league. Granted, I was aware of the leagues former existence in addition to the tidbits here and there regarding Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull with the Winnipeg Jets, and the fact the Edmonton Oilers dynasty of the 80s was built from the last gasps of its WHA days, as it's hard to be a serious hockey fan without hearing of these things.Īnd while all those people, teams and places did play a pivotal role and was discussed extensively within the book, it was the other stuff that it told us that really made the book and the league of such immense interest and the regaling of its story so charming. Hockey.Īs far as writing goes for a historical event within hockey, I thought this book was first rate in how engaging and witty it was in re-telling the rise, and ultimately the fall, of the World Hockey Association.Īs a fan of the sport that was born well after the beginning and the end of the once rival North American league, the whole history was largely novel to me. He was one of the greatest hockey players to ever play this game. This book tells all those stories and more in beautiful detail.

And it was there his legend grew far greater. 6/10/16: Like Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe was one of those larger-than-life players that put the WHA on the map.

The Rebel League by Ed Willes