If These Walls Could Talk: Boston Bruins: Stories from the Boston Bruins Ice, Locker Room, and Press Box

by Matt Kalman, Dale Arnold, Ray Bourque

The Boston Bruins are one of the most successful and historic teams in the NHL, with six Stanley Cup championships and counting. Author Dale Arnold, as a longtime broadcaster for the team, has gotten to witness more than his fair share of that history up close and personal. Through singular anecdotes only Arnold can tell as well as conversations with current and past players, this book provides fans with a one-of-a-kind, insider's look into the great moments, the lowlights, and everything in between. Bruins fans will not want to miss this book.

Genres: Sports, Hockey, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 2018

Reviews

[Mary Tonks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Boston Bruins fan must read this book! Actually, any hockey fan would appreciate inviting Dale Arnold into his/her home to talk sports. Dale gives the reader a very accurate description of the inner workings of the sport from several angles, not just nice stories about players. But you would certainly enjoy reading about the generosity of the players in the community, too.

[Kevin Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked a lot of the stories in this book but it felt like a Dale Arnold biography for much of the book which I can promise you, no one was asking for. However I'm a Bruins Bobo so I still enjoyed much of it!

[Porky Pianist · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This read more like an autobiography of Dale Arnold than a Bruins bio, and let’s be real, no one wants to learn that much about a radio announcer, even in your own hometown (with the exception of Johnny Most, the nicotine-stained, sandpaper-voiced Celtics announcer). Most pictures in the book included the author next to a Bruins star, and a majority of the stories were about his and his kids’ personal interactions with players and personnel. Take the Dale Arnold lens off, and you’re left with maybe some anecdotes about long time New England media personalities and nice but un-noteworthy folks behind the scenes. There’s nothing particularly new or exciting you’ll find here about the Bruins.

[Lawrence Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never been a big fan of Arnold as a Bruin announcer or sports radio talk show host but he did a decent job putting together a long series of little tidbits about the Bruins. Nothing really that surprising in his book but fun to recall events as a hockey fan. His last chapter is a recap of the Bruins in the community and does show that of all the professional pro players, hockey players are the most down to earth and will go out of their way to help out others. Good read for hockey players and free from the local public library.

[Peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Bruins fan I loved the stories. The insight and explanations of certain situations was great. However, the sentence structure and overall grammar was bad. I found it hard to understand the point the author was trying to get across in some spots.

Read this book for the love of the team and you can overlook the rest.

[Jake Fones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows the history of the Boston Bruins from the days of Bobby Orr through the 2011 Stanley Cup Championship and beyond. Dale Arnold talks not only about his life as a sports broadcaster but also the lives of players, coaches, and owners. The book was structured very well and Dale Arnold did not forget anyone who was influential to the bruins organization, making this book 4/5 stars.

[Maura Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 3.5 stars. This was a slow read for me. The writing was choppy and awkward. I enjoyed the stories more toward the end because I was more familiar with the players. I feel the title is misleading. It alludes to behind the scenes dirt and there is none. Just stories of Bruins being nice guys off the ice and hard working on it.

[Brad McKenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading about the behind the scenes stuff. The first 3rd of the book is about how Dale came to the Bs, which was interesting. I didn't realize he started with The Devils! But then, let's face it, the behind the scenes and Dale's opinion of players, coaches, games related to the Bs is why you read the book. Solid stuff!

[Devin Racca · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Boston sports, highly recommend picking this up. I cried reading some of these stories, I laughed, and I beamed with pride hearing about some of the stories of my favorite players. It was well written and easy flow to make it a quick read.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Such great insight into the game, the team, and the sportscasters that cover it all. Highly recommend this book.

[Christina Pivirotto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the behind the scenes scoop and learning more about players and coaches. A must read for bruins fans, really clears up some stories we only heard parts of .

[Joe Linehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting history of broadcasting for anyone interested in the sports journalism field.

[Mark Sullivan]

I enjoyed the book. I am Boston born and bred (no longer living in New England) so I knew all players and games he talked about. Light reading nothing to deep.

[Matt Geraci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights of the bruins locker room, wish there were more stories, read through this book way to quick!

[Liz Cannatelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly interesting book I decided to pick up when I found out I got a job with the bruins! Learned a lot of history and overall love the camaraderie the team has.

[Joe Testa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love The Bruins and everything connected with them.

Learned a lot about a bunch of players, and the organization.

Enjoyed the book tremendously.

[Pete Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable book about the last 30 years of the Boston Bruins - players, coaches, announcers, etc. Fun read for any Bruins fan !

[Lexi Maycunich · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved learning more about this franchise and hearing all the heartwarming stories this book contained

[luka · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting if you love hockey. get to learn a lot about the bts of broadcasting and television too