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He's a smart guy. But what holds your interest is all the other people this man has touched, whose lives have been changed by his influence. Fascinating. The book allows the reader a peek at conversation with an original. The man who helped establish the NBA as a sports entity and the coach of the great early-days Celtics. Not always right, but one you should listen to.
Basketball fans should count themselves fortunate that Feinstein was able to relate these great stories before the passing of the Celtics' patriarch. This volume recounts many of the stories told at those gab sessions. Author John Feinstein got himself invited to one of these sessions, and became a regular at the meetings. Many of the stories will be familiar to those who have read much about the old NBA, but there is much new material, too. Toward the end of his life, Red Auerbach used to eat lunch each Tuesday at 11:00 at a D.C. Chinese restaurant with a group of other men, where they used to discuss basketball and non-basketball topics. Many of the tales recount Auerbach's early days in coaching, and there are stories about many figures in college and pro basketball, past and present.
I enjoyed John Feinstein's writing so much I immediately read Season on the Brink, which I should have read many years ago, and A March to Madness: A View from the Floor in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which I am looking forward to reading soon. The book detailed what I had originally thought his personality would reflect, which was a great storyteller that held his audience captive wherever he was. The impact that Red left on everyone around him was not forgotten, and he was a big part of many peoples lives. So many names mentioned is this book are common names to all sports fans, and it was interesting to hear how they were a part of Red's life. After just reading The Breaks of the Game I was left with a sour taste of how Red Auerbach managed the Celtics during his tenure. This book changed all my thoughts. Whether it was as the Whitehouse with Bill Clinton and Al Gore, or at his weekly Tuesday lunch at the Chinese Restaraunt, he made a lasting impression.
(now closed) The book is written in a breezy, conversational style, which will make you feel as though you are seated next to Red at the table as he holds court. The book is basically a collection of Red's favorite Celtics anecdotes, which he often told over lunch to a select group of friends at his favorite Chinese restaurant The China Doll in Washington D.C. However, if you are a fan of the Lakers, Knicks, or Bulls, you might not like what Red has to say about your team ;) John Feinstein's books have been more miss than hit this decade, which is why it's a pleasure to go back and read one of his gems. This time his subject is Red Auerbach, the long time coach/GM of the Boston Celtics, and the man who has more championship rings than anyone in the history of the game. Let Me Tell You A Story is a must-read, and will be of specific interest to Celtics fans, but should have something to offer general basketball fans as well.
I would recommend this book to any basketball fan that wants to hear about how the game came to be. John Feinstein really outdid himself with this book. I picked this book up because it reminded me of his love of the Celts and because I like most of John Feinstein's topics. You come to care about the lunch club that meets every Tuesday to hear his views and his rememberances about the game and politics. Mr. Auerbach's stories come to life on their own. I can tell you that I'm not a big NBA fan but this book is worth your time. Auerbach's stories about the game, his life and the people in it are fascinating.
It's not his typical make everything to be dramatic book. He talks about everything and everyone from the beginning of the NBA league to Rick Pitino to Bill Russell to Danny Ainge to Bob Knight to Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. My dad was a big Boston Celtic fan, so I grew watching them and hearing about Red Auerbach. Mr. It doesn't have to.
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