The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL Hardcover – September 1, 2006

Great read, really let’s you know the behind the scenes of fighting in the NHL and the need to keep it in the game.

for any level of Hockey fan! Insightful interviews and funny stories plus being a comprehensive look at the History of the enforcer and the new Rule 56. A must have, it will make you a better Hockey fan!

As a long-time hockey enthusiast and proponent of fighting in the NHL, I thought this book would be a great read. It is, for the most part, very educational, explaining a lot of the history of fighting and feuds in the NHL, describing the infamous, unwritten Code and what it means to the players and coaches, and also detailing how various rule and cultural changes have revised the game to its current state. (Although we can probably stop calling it the "unwritten Code" now that, ya know, there's this book.)Unfortunately, it's NOT a great read, and many of the reviews here at Amazon are spot-on. The book is amateurish and mediocre, strictly for the hardcore enthusiast or someone who desperately seeks to absorb everything to know about hockey and needs this book as a primer to understand fighting in the NHL. Bernstein's words only account for about 30% of the overall manuscript. The rest is clips and quotes from NHL players and coaches, mostly Tony Twist, Marty McSorely, and Paul Stewart.Most quotes read like this: "Blah blah positive comment about fighting in hockey. Blah blah some anecdote about respect. Blah blah one time I did this, and here's why I beat this guy's face. Blah blah that's what the code means to me."That's great, and I get the point. But do we need 119 quotes that all sound alike?Bernstein also includes more cliche than should be allowable by law. He's in LOVE with using "quotes" to make references to things where no quotes are necessary, often being those afore-mentioned cliches.What's lamentable is that there are numerous black and white photos peppered throughout the book. That's right... good ol' grayscale. I would've gladly paid an extra $2-$3 had the publishers saw fit to include color photos, and much more of them. I'd bet a good 20% of the repetitive quotes and Bernstein's long-winded drivel could've been replaced by more photos of famous fights and fighters.Admittedly, Bernstein claims he was a casual hockey fan and knew nothing of the Code prior to researching for this book, which he started doing after the oft-mentioned "Bertuzzi incident". Hockey fans would have been done better service had this book been written by a true sports writer with a passion for the game. Terry Frei or Frank DeFord could've done a better job. Lord knows their editors could, too.To its credit, however, The Code is full of some great hockey stories, and tales that describe the history of fighting in the NHL. There are also some very amusing quotes and stories from some of hockey's best enforcers that made me laugh out loud or had my jaw drop. (Although I'm disappointed there wasn't one word about Vladamir "The Vladinator" Konstantinov in this entire book.)All that said, for anyone who loves the game of hockey, and enjoys the fisticuffs, I WOULD recommend this book (to Bernstein's publisher: please note that I did not have a need to put the word fisticuffs in quotes, as Bernstein seems compelled to do every time he uses the word, as if it's the first time we've read it). But do yourself a favor and skim it, paying careful attention to the quotes, which are either framed in gray boxes or in italicized text. It's a book best-read on a lazy Saturday afternoon, or maybe a few days before the All Star break when we're itching for anything hockey. Plus, you'll probably learn a thing or two about some famous hockey fights that you can use to impress your friends and wow your beer league teammates!

This book was a solid collection of insider stories by the enforcers of the NHL. But it sort of repeats the same point over and over and relies too heavily on Marty McSorley (who is insightful and certainly qualified for the role). I'd say 3.5 stars would be a good rating. An interesting read for sure, just not that we'll written and could be shorter.

A great insight into the world of hockey. The how and why of fighting and reasons why it’s an important element in the game

To put it simply this reads like a hockey bible. These are basically the commandments of hockey. I loved reading it and reading the stories of the enforcers of the 80s-90s was great, to understand what they went through.

Loved this book. Most fans have no idea of the "why" behind the fighting. It is not an out-of-control game as most would have you believe. Great read,

The book has a basic construction of starting a chapter with author's text and then quickly quoting someone involved in hockey and then repeating "a few lines from the author, a quote from someone" multiple times.Quotes gave me some of really entertaining stories and an insight view to the game, which was nice. Sometimes it felt that the quotes broke the flow of the text quite badly, though.But the main problem for me was that the book didn't answer my questions about fighting and retaliation to a point which I would've wanted it to do. It kind of scratched the surface and made a point or two along the way in a deeper level, but I had expected much more.Quite many things were written there that I could just figure out all by myself while watching a game and reading some articles of NHL-games. But then again, some things I really don't get and book didn't help me to cover that stuff up.I'm a European, so I really don't know what's the hockey culture like in Canada like the natives do, so it also affects my review and you should take that into account as you read this.I liked the fact that the book messaged the honour and respect being the main things in this game and only honourable and respectful players can be considered to be the great ones. It's really admirable.So, I'm giving this book two stars for enjoyment and stories, but not more because it lacked on giving me some deeper understandind on the subject.

My dad (a bit of an enforcer/agitator himself) always talked about a code, and I always wanted to understand more. When I heard Burr talk about this book, I immediately bought it. I'm part way through and it's already got me looking at hockey differently. I sent it to my mother (a staunch believer that fighting has no place in hockey) and even she said it made her reconsider her stance.Not only is it well written, with great excerpts from interviews with some of the greats, and those that played with them, but it's an entertaining read.Highly recommend for any hockey fan, or anyone that is curious about the ins and outs of hockey and some of it's history.

Loved the book in perfect condition.

... this is maybe not the right thing for you.Aber um einen grundlegenden Einblick "hinter die Kulissen zu bekommen" und "das Basis-Wissen, von dem was auf dem Eis passiert" als "NHL-Neuling" zu erhalten, ist es okay, wenn man der englischen Sprache mächtig ist.Ich fand es informativ, amüsant, flüssig zu lesen und gut zu verstehen. Eher "leichte Lektüre" halt.Erwatet nichts zu Großes.

Great book quick shipping

Good book..