The Doug Harvey Story

Catholic New Times, May 18, 2003 by Abie Markus

by William Brown, Georgetown, Vehicule Press, 2002, 289 pp.

This is the sad story of one of the greatest hockey players ever, a man so alienated that he did not even attend his own induction into the hall of fame. Harvey, a product of Notre Dame de Grace in Montreal's west end. was also one of the greatest athletes ever in Canada, pro calibre in baseball and football. From Brown's solid biography it is clear that he was also a helluva nice guy who could not say no to anybody in need. Harvey's life sadly was racked by manic depression and alcoholism. After reading this, one can only feel sorrow for his longsuffering wife who had to pick up the pieces of a man/boy's chronic absenteeism. A well-rounded account of the best passing defenceman of the past 50 years.