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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. 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. 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. 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. This book changed all my thoughts. The impact that Red left on everyone around him was not forgotten, and he was a big part of many peoples lives.
(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. 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. However, if you are a fan of the Lakers, Knicks, or Bulls, you might not like what Red has to say about your team ;) 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. 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. 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.
Auerbach's stories come to life on their own. It doesn't have to. Auerbach's stories about the game, his life and the people in it are fascinating. 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. John Feinstein really outdid himself with this book. My dad was a big Boston Celtic fan, so I grew watching them and hearing about Red Auerbach.
Mr. Mr. 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. It's not his typical make everything to be dramatic book. I would recommend this book to any basketball fan that wants to hear about how the game came to be. I can tell you that I'm not a big NBA fan but this book is worth your time.
You come to care about the lunch club that meets every Tuesday to hear his views and his rememberances about the game and politics.
It's so entertaining that you'll zip through it, laughing in many spots. Basketball in the "early" days, with Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and other big stars are always fun to hear about and nobody had more opinions and/or "hot air" than Red. One thing about Red Auerbach: love him or hate him, he's always interesting to hear. It is biased: oh, yeah.so Celtic fans will love this book more than others but everyone should enjoy it. He is a great storyteller, as this book testifies. The "hear" translates to "read," as noted author John Feinstein gives us an ear to Red and his weekly group of guys who met at a Chinese restaurant and shot the bull about various topics over the years. Feinstein sat in for four of those years and relays some of the conversation.This is an extremely fast read.
We'll miss ya Red. but I loved reading this book. So much info in there about the history of the game and the Boston Celtics.
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