Playing With Fire
Selected Book Details
- Hardcover
- Author: Theo Fleury with Kirstie McLellan Day
- Publisher: Triumph Books
- Release Date: October 2009
- ISBN-10: 1600781993
- ISBN-13: 9781600781995
- List Price: $24.95
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Summaries and Customer Reviews provided by Amazon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Author
Rating:
While I have NEVER been a real fan of Theo Fleury nor a fan of the Flames, I got the book because I always had respect for the little man that chose to play hockey like he was 6 foot 2. (plus the Flames were my dad's team since they were in Atlanta). It has given me alot of insight into why he played the game the way he did. I may not have liked Fleury, but I still respected him.
Fleury bragging about his party days.
Rating:
Theoren Fleury is only a few years older than myself, I grew up in Winnipeg and played hockey, I wish I had half the natural talent that Fleury did.
The book has far too much information about Fleury's partying and is sexual conquests. Fleury sounds like the stereo-typical hockey player from the 80's.
If Fleury is hoping to be a role model for younger players, what are they going to learn from the book, if you smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol, abuse drugs and party all the time you can still make it as an elite level hockey player.
For some reason, Fleury continually uses the "f_Word" in the book.
Fleury continually describes himself as one of the most talented hockey players of all time, Fleury was good, but his play does not warrant calling himself the best of all time.
Fleury correctly describes himself as a jerk.
It was interesting and enjoyable reading about hockey part of the book
A little superficial
Rating:
Must give Fleury kudos for opening up the way he did about being molested as he's trying to fulfill a dream to make it to the NHL. It's difficult to comprehend.
Had the good fortune of covering Fleury during the ups and downs during his NHL career. He was always forthcoming about his play on the ice.
Was it a great memoir? It was OK. Not great and not horrible. More of a run-of-the-mill productions you read, seemingly rushed to make a quick buck. It is not on the level of some of the best sports memoirs ever written - Ken Dryden's "The Game" and Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson's "Out of Control."
Fleury weaves his tale through the first-person 'I' narrative the entire way. The re-occuring "poor me" theme was re-played ad nauseum. He paints a tragic childhood in which his father is an alcoholic and mother a pill popper. That, coupled with the molestation charges, seems to be a never-ending crutch for ruining relationships, being a neglectful father and always turning to addictive measures. Only near the end does Fleury retreat and take responsibility. But the interpretation can be made that the crutches are always within arms' reach.
Unfortunately, this is what those in NHL circles remember most. At times he could be a destructive presence within management circles, self-centered with few social graces.
There are notable anecdotal behind-the-scenes stories that add to the book. There are needless pot shots delivered for the sake of taking a shot. It was clear he didn't like certain coaches, ala Mike Keenan and Dave King - and forced in other asides about each that didn't have much relevancy. He used a cop-out that because they never played at the NHL level, they had no right to be coaches. It's a weak argument considering Keenan won a Cup and came close a couple other times.
Fleury even suggested that superstars don't have to listen to coaches. Whether that's true or not, Fleury seemed to deem himself as a superstar. Sorry, superstar status was reserved for the likes of Gretzky, Lemieux and Yzerman types. Fleury was a star, no doubt about it, but more in the mold of a Modano level.
Not sure of the purpose of relating his Flames career. He intimated that he was the primary reason why the fans came, he made the Flames a ton of money, the Flames would have tasted more success had they not gutted the team in the 1990s and paired him with competent players, going insofar to knock various teammates by name. It came across as nothing more than petulent.
Here's hoping that after all the drugs and gambling, he is on the right path to recovery. Wish him nothing but the best. No one wants to see any other human form suffer or self-destruct.
Put your hand into the flame -- you'll be glad you did
Rating:
This is one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Actually, it's one of the best books I've ever read. I've read a lot of memoirs and biographies, and this one is brutally honest -- heartbreakingly so.
Theo Fleury's book contains many stories. It's the story of a Canadian who grew up poor on the prairies and clung to his dream like a lifeline. It's a story of a broken, lonely childhood plagued by demons and abuse. It's a story about the drive to be the best at a particular sport. It's a story of addiction to booze, drugs, and sex. It's a story of both dizzying success and financial failure. But most of all, it's a story about what it means to be human and what it's like to live in constant pain...and to find relief in things that only make matters worse.
Anyone who loves hockey (especially the Calgary Flames) will love this book. Ditto anyone who's been abused or anyone who struggles (or struggled) with substance abuse and suicidal impulses. Theo has written a book for both sports fans and those who don't care about sports. His story is painful, but it deserves to be heard. And hopefully it will help anyone who struggles with the same issues that affected him.
Thank you, Theo, for writing this book.
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