The untold story of hockey's deep roots from different regions of the world, and its global, cultural impact.

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 nineteenth 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 readers 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.
 

"A captivating read. . . .Berglund’s prose is accessible and engaging and entices the reader into wanting to know more about many of the people, events, and games mentioned. Berglund has provided a significant link into the relationship between sports, communities, and politics, one that sports fans and politicians should consider." * Journal of Sport History *

Bruce Berglund taught history at Calvin College and the University of Kansas. He is author of Castle and Cathedral in Modern Prague.