Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972-1984

Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972-1984

Ask any hockey historian about the greatest all-time teams, and the 1980-1984 New York Islanders are sure to be towards the top of their list. Assembled by general manager Bill Torrey and taught the art of dominance by head coach Al Arbour, the Islanders of this era included such subsequent Hall of Famers as Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Clark Gillies, and Billy Smith, and won four consecutive Stanley Cups. Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders, 1972-1984 focuses solely on this period of the Islanders. Comprised of nearly 30 all-new, exclusive interviews with players, coaches, trainers, broadcasters, and a celebrity fan, the book is not only a genuine account of the Islanders from this time, but also, of the National Hockey League in general. Set up in the oral history format, Dynasty reads like a documentary, but in book form, as the participants weigh in on the ups and downs of the Islanders, and pull no punches in their recollections and opinions. "In my half-century-plus on the NHL beat, I have read some excellent oral histories; especially Canadian author Eric Zweig's magnificent - truly my hockey bible - work on the Toronto Maple Leafs. But when it comes to the New York Islanders, who I've covered for 50 years, absolutely nothing - and I do mean nothing - can top Greg Prato's oral history, Dynasty . Every Islander you'd want to hear from - including the too often forgotten Mike McEwen - is heard from in exquisite detail. Here's a standing ovation to author Prato for a job magnificently done; and then some." --Stan Fischler (Emmy Award-winning journalist, US Hockey Hall of Fame member) "Wonderful book about the early years and then the fabulous glory years of the New York Islanders. Dynasty is a book Islander fans must have. Relive the glory!" --Jimmy Devellano (2010 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, former Islanders Director of Scouting, author of The Road to Hockeytown) "A great read...sure was a lot of fun reliving those glorious days...well done Greg!" --Ken Morrow (Islanders' defenseman from 1980-1989, member of gold medal-winning 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame) "Loved it - the first person accounts by the players and management brought me right back to a very special time." --Bob Lorimer (Islanders defenseman from 1976-1981) "A coming of age book not only for the young New York Islanders, but for the Long Island region itself. The first person accounts create an interesting and in-depth look at the team's growth and glory during the Islanders dynasty years." --Bruce Bennett (NHL photographer) "Growing up on Long Island and having our very own championship team really gave us an identity. This book captures all of those great moments for those of us who grew up with the Islanders. The good and the bad, it's all in this book." --Gary "Baba Booey" Dell'Abate ( Howard Stern Show producer, author of They Call Me Baba Booey, longtime Islanders fan) "Prato dives in headfirst to create an extraordinarily thorough and exhaustively researched book that puts you inside the locker room and out on the ice...if you're a hockey fan and want to know what made the Islanders so great, read this." --Steve Rosen, Curledup "An excellent book that tells the story of the players and staff who brought four Stanley Cups to Long Island, in their own words." --Kevin Schultz, Islanderspointblank "I've read a lot of New York Islanders books. This is the definitive history of the dynasty." --Lighthouse Hockey "I am recommending that any Islander fan take the time to read this book, especially if you are a younger fan who may not be aware of the grand history of the Islander organization. Greg Prato did a lot of research, and the stories and recollections of many of the guys who played on the teams or were involved with them makes it a fascinating and entertaining read." --John Panarese, Islestalk " The best book ever written about the New York Islanders. The first person recollections of players and management give a unique insight into the Islanders Dynasty both on and off the ice. Greg Prato's research is truly exceptional. I can't recommend this book highly enough, not just for Islanders fans but for sports fans of all ages." --The Grumpy Old Man, Islanders Never Say Die Podcast "The most exhaustive retelling of the Islanders' championships - not to mention most personable and charming - is Dynasty: The Oral History of the New York Islanders 1972-1984 . Prato talks to about 30 folks who saw firsthand or actively participated in how the Islanders were built and then dominated the NHL, including some unexpected choices. Dynasty still feels fresh and vital for Islanders fans today, and although some who took part have passed away, their stories, personalities, feelings and contributions live on through it." --Dan Saraceni, The Islanders Anxiety Podcast