The Boys of Winter
The Untold Story of a Coach, a Dream, and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
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4.5 • 116 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The “captivating” (People) true story of the Miracle on Ice and the last U.S. men’s hockey team to win gold, at the 1980 Winter Olympics—with a new afterword by Ken Morrow for the fortieth anniversary of the Miracle on Ice
“A wonderfully detailed enrichment of the greatest sports moment of the twentieth century.”—Al Michaels
Once upon a time, they taught us to believe. They were the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, a blue-collar bunch led by an unconventional coach. Their “Miracle on Ice” has become a national fairy tale, but the real Cinderella story is even more remarkable.
Wayne Coffey casts a fresh eye on this seminal sports event, giving readers an ice-level view of the amateurs who took on a Russian hockey juggernaut at the height of the Cold War. He details the unusual chemistry of the Americans—formulated by their fiercely determined coach, Herb Brooks—and seamlessly weaves portraits of the boys with the fluid action of the game itself. Coffey also traces the paths of the players and coaches since their stunning victory, examining how the Olympic events affected their lives.
Told with warmth and an uncanny eye for detail, The Boys of Winter is an intimate, perceptive portrayal of one Friday night in Lake Placid and the enduring power of the extraordinary.
Customer Reviews
Compelling Beyond the Ice
The Boys of Summer is a compelling, deeply human look at the lives behind the game, and it earns every bit of its five-star rating. What sets this book apart is its commitment to going far beyond stats and highlights—it dives into each player’s background, unpacking the personal journeys, struggles, and defining moments that shaped who they are both on and off the ice.
Rather than presenting athletes as distant professionals, the book makes them relatable. Whether it’s overcoming adversity, navigating pressure, or chasing a lifelong dream, each story resonates on a personal level. You don’t have to be a die-hard hockey fan to connect with these narratives—the themes of perseverance, identity, and teamwork are universal.
The character depth is where the book truly shines. By exploring the players’ upbringing, relationships, and pivotal life experiences, the author creates a strong emotional connection between the reader and the team. You find yourself rooting for them not just as athletes, but as individuals.
In the end, The Boys of Summer is more than a sports book—it’s a collection of powerful, relatable stories that remind us why we love the game and the people who play it.
Wow !
Wow felt like I was in lake placid and in all 20 hometown cities of these historic players! Absolutely incredible book !
Boys of summer
I came upon this book by accident while searching for something good to read. This is the best book about the 1980 miracle on ice team. I could not put it down. Thanks Wayne for writing an amazing book.