Dan Robson Livres

"A tender memoir of fathers and sons, love and loss, and learning to fill boots a size too big. Dan Robson's father was a builder, a fixer. A man whose high-school education was enough not only to provide for his family, but to build a successful business. Rick Robson held things up. When he dies, nothing in his son's world feels steady anymore. In a very real sense, the home his father had built suddenly seemed fragile. Without its natural caretaker, the house would fall to pieces. And his family shows all the same signs of crumbling. Dan is hit especially hard. He knows he is not the man his father was. Dan never learned the blue-collar skills he admired, because his father wanted him to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. Now that his father is gone, the acknowledgment of his sacrifices, and the sheer longing to be close to him again in some way draw him to the tools that lie unused in the garage. So begins Dan's year of learning the skills his father's hands had long mastered, and trying to fill the steel-toe boots left behind. Measuring Up is the story of that journey. Robson picks up where his father left off, working on the house and the truck, as much for the family as for himself. In much the same way that Michael Pollan comes to know his house inside-out in A Place of My Own, Robson learns the mysteries and proud satisfaction of plumbing, carpentry, wiring, and drywalling, and comes to understand how our homes are built. He also comes to see how his home was built by his father, uncovering more than one heartbreaking reminder of the kind of man his father was, and what he meant to his family. Tender and unflinching, Measuring Up is a story of love, mourning, and learning what it means to be a man."-- Provided by publisher

Johnny Bower came to be known as one of the greatest Toronto Maple Leafs of all time, but started from humble beginnings. He taught himself how to play hockey on the frozen rivers of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, using a tree branch his father had sharpened into a stick and Eaton’s catalogues as goalie pads. He’d spend hours in the frigid air, learning to catch the puck in mittened hands, never dreaming that he would one day share the same ice as his Saturday-night idols. But share it he did, playing in the minors for more than a decade, before joining the Maple Leafs for the team’s storied three consecutive Stanley Cup victories in the early sixties. He was known as a tough, ageless player who wanted nothing more than to be in the crease night after night. He spent eleven seasons with the Leafs, playing well into his forties. After his retirement, Bower’s legend only grew—he became one of the most beloved Leafs alumni, an icon for his performance on the ice and his generous heart off of it. In Bower, Dan Robson shares the never-before-told stories of Johnny’s life and career, drawing on interviews with those who knew and loved him best.

Focusing on the remarkable journey of a hockey legend, this book pays homage to the life and achievements of an iconic figure in the sport. It delves into the personal and professional challenges faced, highlighting moments of triumph and resilience that define their legacy. Through captivating anecdotes and insights, it captures the essence of what made this athlete a hero, celebrating their impact on the game and the inspiration they provide to fans and aspiring players alike.