Books with author Kerry Banks

He's one of the most exciting players in professional hockey, with outstanding speed and skill. In his first season with the NHL, Pavel Bure won the Calder Memorial Trophy as top rookie. Eight years after his debut, the man known as the "Russian Rocket" has racked up two 60-goal season and two 100-plus- point years, despite absences caused by injuries and contract disputes. Now an award-winning journalist delves into the mysteries of Bure's life, including allegations of involvement with the Russian Mafia; his troubled relationship with his father; the feuds with the media and with the Canucks' management; and his ambivalent attitude towards his intensely adoring fans. The author lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. 208 pages, 20 b/w illus., 6 x 9.

He's one of the most exciting players in professional hockey, with outstanding speed and skill. In his first season with the NHL, Pavel Bure won the Calder Memorial Trophy as top rookie. Eight years after his debut, the "Russian Rocket" had racked up two 60-goal season and two 100-plus point years, despite absences caused by injuries and contract disputes. Now, an award-winning journalist delves into the mysteries of Bure's life, including what brought him to the West; allegations of involvement with the Russian Mafia; his troubled relationship with his father; the feuds with the media and with the Canucks' management; and his ambivalent attitude towards his intensely adoring fans. It's the story of a remarkable and riveting career--and man.

Baseball's Top 100 is the ultimate collection of achievements on the diamond. From the most grand slams in a career to the most consecutive stolen bases — the best of the best is all here. Sports writer and trivia master Kerry Banks has scoured all the record books and selected the top 100 of Major League Baseball’s most fantastic feats. Many significant records belong to the most familiar names in baseball — home-run king Barry Bonds, slugging champ Babe Ruth, hit machine Joe DiMaggio — but Banks highlights previously overlooked record holders as well. Did you know that the player who hit the most doubles in one season is an obscure citizen of "Red Sox Nation" named Earl Webb who started his career as a pitcher? And, bet you haven’t heard of Harvey Haddix. He holds the record for most consecutive batters retired by a pitcher in one game — and he did it all while suffering from a head cold! This is a must-have for fans of the "Grand Old Game."

Who is the only player to win a home-run title when he was in retirement? Which all-star outfielder was also selected in the NBA, ABA, and NFL player drafts? Who swatted a record-setting six grand slams in one season? Baseball lovers will want to step up to the plate and see how they'll score on these entertaining games, quizzes, statistics, and anecdotes about the sport in the 70s and 80s. Will they be up to the challenge? One thing's for sure: they'll have fun finding out! Answers: Dick Allen, who retired three weeks before the season ended; Dave Winfield; and Don Mattingly in 1987. 140 pages, 19 b/w illus., 5 1/2 x 8 1/2.

The life story of one of today's NHL superstars at the peak of his profession is told through color photographs of the star in action. In a text aimed at eight- to eleven-year-olds, Kerry Banks focuses on Teemu Selanne, the "Finnish Flash." During his first NHL season in 1992, Selanne demolished all previous rookie records for goals and points and earned a reputation among goalies as one of the most feared forwards on the ice. Since then, Selanne's blinding skating speed, quick and accurate shot, and superb playmaking skills have made him indispensable to his team, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Find out where it all started by following Selanne's career from his early days in Finland, up through the ranks of the Finnish hockey system, and into the fast-paced world of the NHL. The author lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. 48 pages (all in color), 6 1/2 x 8.

"Award-winning journalist Banks sheds...light on the 'Russian Rocket'...in-depth...describes a player with amazing talent who is often associated with controversy. Complete with photos, bibliography, and statistics, the text thoroughly succeeds in demystifying Bure..."--Library JournalHe's the newest member of the New York Rangers--and one of the most exciting players in professional hockey, with outstanding speed and skill. In his first season with the NHL, Pavel Bure won the Calder Memorial Trophy as top rookie. Eight years after his debut, the man known as the "Russian Rocket" racked up two 60-goal season and two 100-plus point years, despite absences caused by injuries and contract disputes. Now, an award-winning journalist delves into the mysteries of Bure's life, including allegations of involvement with the Russian Mafia; his troubled relationship with his father; the feuds with the media and with the Canucks' management; and his ambivalent attitude towards his intensely adoring fans.

Big, smooth-talking, and one of the most successful scorers in the NHL, Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs has all the ingredients to become a megastar. The Swedish-born Sundin has already made history by becoming the first European ever to be selected as the number-one pick in the NHL entry draft and to become captain of the Maple Leafs. With explosive action photography, check out this player at the peak of his profession. In prose perfect for 9-to 11-year olds, and written by an award-winning sports columnist, follow Sundin's early days playing hockey on outdoor rinks, his rise through the ranks of the Swedish National team, and his entry into the high-powered world of the NHL. Sundin's own words, as well as those of his coaches, teammates and rivals, will give young readers a sense not only of his strengths as a hockey player, but also of his personality both on and off the ice. 48 pages, 24 color illus., 6 1/2 x 8.

Hard work and an acrobatic style--that's what makes Curtis Joseph one of the best clutch goalies in the NHL. Since joining the league as a walk-on free agent in 1989, Joseph has earned the respect of fellow players and fans and made the Maple Leafs a major Stanley Cup contender. In the words of Leafs coach Pat Quinn, "I've never seen another goalie who could pick up his team with a big save." In simple, enjoyable text and dozens of exciting action photos, follow the career of this talented netminder from his early days with the St. Louis Blues and Edmonton Oilers, and with Canada's national team. You'll understand why he has become one the NHL's most highly paid and admired goalies.

The crashing youth revolution and the souring hopes of a new way for the hundreds of youth who descended on California in the heady but now burnt out days of the late sixties left Richard and Trisha again in their old world. Their youthful hopes dashed. A raging war in Vietnam had serious consequences to both of them, crushing their spirits when Richard received his draft notice. With their world of hope gone and the swirl of war madness upon them, they struggled to find an anchor to stabilize their sudden shifting foundations. The war had reduced them to few options and none good. Trisha and Richard planned marriage to buoy them after the youth revolution now sliding into ruins of drugs, despair, crime, bad music, sexual exploitation, and restlessness. They at least could form their own island of sanity and planned marriage in hopes of finding something real and tangible in the chaos. Both were middle class, but Trisha in her upper scale neighborhood, stable friends, and family, was better off than Richard. She had had no real reason to mutiny against society. She loved her parents, siblings, her warm community, and many friends. Nevertheless, it was boring and the youth rebellion offered her something she could not rightly explain, maybe excitement and simple normal youthful revolt. Richard came from the Midwest and by hitchhiking and hopping freight trains, he arrived in California and quickly met Trisha. The lack of meaning in his home state and town he found intolerable, there being no depth. So, here he was, after a failed revolution, to marry Trisha, and join the establishment, an establishment he hated and now he must support with his life if necessary. They talked of a way out. With these possibilities in mind, they decided to attend a draft protest at the local military induction center. Many draft age young men would leave the country and evade the call-up. Could Richard be one? Would Trisha support such a drastic thing? If he fled, at least he would be alive and Trisha could join him. Drafted, he could be dead in a few months. The anti-war crowd might help them decide.