Kevin Shea has written a masterpiece of Canadian cultural mythology exploring the hockey legend Bill Barilko and his mysterious disappearance after scoring the Stanley Cup winner against the Habs in 1951. This is not just a hockey book. Shea writes about Barilko’s early life, influences and career track. He shines a light on “The Porcupine” – the area in and around Timmins where Barilko and several other NHL greats came to maturity. The exhaustive attention to details of Barilko’s untimely death make this a gripping read. Shea had unparalleled access to Barilko’s sister, Anne Klisanich who shared observations and memories of her brother Bill. Her love of her brother and the game of hockey come through very clearly in Shea’s book. He combines the right amount of tension with lots of rich detail to make for a rewarding and inspiring read for any Canadian book-lover. Several outstanding photographs illustrate the book – many from Anne Klisanich’s own private archive of the scrapbooks she kept of her brother’s life. If you find The Tragically Hip’s song “Fifty Mission Cap” running through your head – you aren’t alone. Shea also explored the connections between Bailko’s life and popular culture today. In this updated release, there is further information as to the condition of the crash site which was found again in 2005. I’m going to recommend this one for my Book Club!  (from www.chapters.indigo.ca)

Have a look at some videos just posted to the multimedia section of the website.

Chapters/Indigo has selected ‘BARILKO: WITHOUT A TRACE’ as one of its top sports book releases of Fall 2010.  More info can be found here.

Talented Toronto artist Liz Pead will be exhibiting her outstanding painting, ‘BARILKO: LOST AND FOUND’ at the Gladstone Tavern beginning Friday, September 17. Click Here for more info.

Bill Barilko’s sister, Anne Klisanich, just received the book and commented that this is her favourite photograph of Bill. She also loved the new chapter, which chronicles a return to the site of his plane crash.

‎’BARILKO: WITHOUT A TRACE’ by bestselling author Kevin Shea now released. New cover and new chapter from 2005 version of this book. Available in ‘better bookstores everywhere.’