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  • Supply Detail

    Distributor: Penguin Random House Availability: Available On Sale Date: Oct 13, 2020 Carton Quantity: 12
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Burke's Law
A Life in Hockey
By (author): Brian Burke By (author): Stephen Brunt
Brian Burke , Stephen Brunt

Imprint:

Viking

ISBN:

9780735239470

Product Form:

Hardcover
Hardcover
English

Audience:

General Trade
Oct 13, 2020
$35.00 CAD
Active

Dimensions:

9.2in x 6.2 x 1.1 in | 1.13 lb

Page Count:

320 pages

Illustrations:

8 PG COLOUR INSERT
Penguin Canada
Viking
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Sports
#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER

The gruffest man in hockey opens up about the challenges, the feuds, and the tragedies he’s fought through.


Brian Burke is one of the biggest hockey personalities—no, personalities full-stop—in the media landscape. His brashness makes him a magnet for attention, and he does nothing to shy away from it. Most famous for advocating “pugnacity, truculence, testosterone, and belligerence” during his tenure at the helm of the Maple Leafs, Burke has lived and breathed hockey his whole life. He has been a player, an agent, a league executive, a scout, a Stanley Cup-winning GM, an Olympic GM, and a media analyst. He has worked with Pat Quinn, Gary Bettman, and an array of future Hall of Fame players. No one knows the game better, and no one commands more attention when they open up about it.

But there is more to Brian Burke than hockey. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, and an accomplished businessman with hard-earned lessons that comefrom highly scrutinized decisions made at the helm of multi-million-dollar companies.

And despite his brusque persona on camera and in the boardroom, he is nevertheless a father with a story to tell. He lost his youngest son in a car accident, and has had to grapple with that grief, even in the glare of the spotlight. Many Canadians and hockey fans knew Brendan Burke’s name already, because his father had become one of the country’s most outspoken gay-rights advocates when Brendan came out in 2009.

From someone whose grandmother told him never to start a fight, but never to run from one either, Burke’s Law is an unforgettable account of old beefs and old friendships, scores settled and differences forgiven, and many lessons learned the hard way.

WIDE AUDIENCE: Burke will bring in not just the hockey-book gift-buyer, but an array of other readers. He is a Harvard Law grad, and has business and management experience running multi-million-dollar companies. He is an advocate of old-school hockey, but also an outspoken advocate of gay rights. He has made many high-profile mistakes, but remains highly respected for the way he owns up to them and takes the high road.

MEDIA CONNECTION: Burke is a star panelist on Hockey Night in Canada.

WORD OF MOUTH: The disclosures in this book will keep hockey fans talking for months.

LEAGUE-WIDE NETWORK: Burke knows everyone in the game. His supporters will come out for the book, and his enemies will keep the conversation going.

COMPLEX PERSONALITY: Burke may be old-school, but he’s also an outspoken gay-rights advocate.

STAR CO-WRITER: Stephen Brunt sells books in his own right.

BRIAN BURKE is an American-Canadian NHL executive and analyst, who in 2021 was named president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has served as the president of the Calgary Flames, the president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the general manager of the Anaheim Ducks (winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 2007), the Vancouver Canucks, and the Hartford Whalers. Burke was the general manager of the United States national men’s ice hockey team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and has served on Rugby Canada’s board of directors.

Marketing: Canadian Plans:

Google Display

Google Search

Social advertising

Influencer outreach

Gifting campaign



US Plans:

Advance mailing to trade publications including Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews 

Mailing to sports publications and major print newspapers including Sports Illustrated and ESPN

Radio attention

Google display ads 



Publicity: Limited review coverage in outlets like the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star

Extensive print features in outlets like the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, CP, NOW Magazine and Xtra

Extensive broadcast interviews with outlets like TSN, Sportnet and CBC

Limited excerpt/op-ed coverage in outlets like the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star

Select blogger coverage

Toronto event. Financial viability of wider tour to be discussed.

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER

One of The Globe’s “100 favourite books of 2020”

Praise for Burke's Law:

“Brian Burke is first and foremost a father and community activist. He’s also a brilliant storyteller who’s led an extraordinary life. You’ll enjoy this book!”
Rick Mercer, bestselling author and host of The Mercer Report

“'Truculent' doesn't begin to describe my friend Brian Burke. He brings that and hard-boiled honesty to every aspect of his life—including his friendships. But if you can't take his truculence as a friend, you definitely wouldn't want him as an enemy. The most belligerent and entertaining book you'll read this year.”
Mike Milbury, former NHL player, coach, GM, and broadcaster

“If you've only ever heard Brian Burke talking at a press conference, you probably think he's a gruff, old-school hockey hardass who could care less about other people. You would be only half-right. I have known Brian since he was getting into the agenting business, and I can tell you he will never take a step backwards if he thinks he's right. But he's also a big teddy bear. If he gives you his word, you can take it to the bank, and you have to respect someone who believes in equality the way he does. Brian is an enigma wrapped in a riddle. This book may help some of us figure him out.”
Glen Sather, former NHL player, Stanley Cup-winning coach, and GM of the Edmonton Oilers

Burke’s Law will open and change minds. It is packed with warmth and grudges—[Burke] names names—and little known stories from his past. . . . Along with that, the book is also a study in human frailty.”
The Globe and Mail

“[M]uch like Burke, [Burke’s Law] is loud and full of bluster with some terrific stories. . .”
Toronto Sun

“Hockey fans will speed read through Burke's Law because it has incredible insight to a life dedicated to hockey and family. We did because we have the privilege of ensuring Brendan Burke's legacy lives on daily. This is a must read for every sports fan!”
You Can Play, via Twitter

“[Burke’s Law] is the result of 200 hours of combing through [Burke’s] memories. . . . [Burke makes] sure to tell his story, in his tone. With many, many ‘f’-bombs.”
Calgary Sun

“[Brian Burke] speaks directly and succinctly, with purpose and conviction. . . . To the point, as they say, is Burke’s manner. But don’t mistake bluntness for unkindness. . . . [Burke’s Law] bubbles with barroom tales of boardroom conflict.”
Sportsnet

“[Burke’s Law is] sometimes gruff, but brutally honest. . . . Poignantly penned.”
Edmonton Sun

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