Lords of the Rinks: The Emergence of the National Hockey League, 1875-1936 (Heritage) Paperback – Illustrated, September 24, 2005

A heavily academic work that was originally a PhD thesis, Wong utilised the NHL archives and traced the emergence of professional hockey from its amateur roots, and then how the NHL grew out of that to become the dominant league, including how it took control of the minor American Hockey League. Though a tough read for those not used to academic works, it gives one of the most comprehensive accounts of the development of professional hockey in Canada and the United States.

Excellent overview of the business side of hockey during its formative years. Does not include much in the way of anecdote, or game action though, so those looking for a history of the sport side, the rules and specific seasons, teams, or games, should look elsewhere.