Let Me Tell You a Story

A Lifetime in the Game

Contributors

By John Feinstein

By Red Auerbach

Formats and Prices

On Sale
Oct 18, 2005
Page Count
368 pages
Publisher
Back Bay Books
ISBN-13
9780316010726

Price

$21.99

Price

$28.99 CAD

“Did I ever tell you about Wilt Chamberlain?” “Did I ever tell you about Bob Cousy?” “Did I ever tell you about Joe DiMaggio?” Whenever Arnold “Red” Auerbach starts a sentence with those six words — “Did I ever tell you about . . .” — anyone within earshot should prepare to hear a marvelous story.

As a living legend among sports fans, Red Auerbach — the fiery coach who led the Boston Celtics to nine NBA championships, eight of them consecutive — has long been renowned for his formidable personality: brash, opinionated, and unfailingly accurate. As a coach, he had a great eye for talent, drafting such Hall of Famers as Bill Russell and Larry Bird, and managed to build a powerful franchise with an abiding legacy. Red never stood still along the sidelines and was never seen without his trademark cigar.

Now in retirement, at age eighty-seven, he remains a lively part of the game, still consulted by coaches, players, and general managers. And his admirers continue to be legion. Not long ago a former president postponed a meeting with Bill Gates so as not to pass up the chance to talk with Red. For the past several years, John Feinstein has met regularly with Red Auerbach and his friends in a series of raucous, unforgettable sessions.

Out of those smoke-and-laughter-filled rooms have emerged the stories of Red’s life, from his childhood on the playgrounds of Brooklyn to his triumphs at the famed Boston Garden, where he coached for sixteen years. Just listen as Red colorfully recalls all the players and coaches he has worked with and played against: Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Bob Cousy, Wilt Chamberlain, Sam Jones, and Michael Jordan — you name them, the basketball greats are all here. Red holds nothing back.

In Let Me Tell You a Story, Red Auerbach’s unique experiences in sports and John Feinstein’s unparalleled skills as a storyteller combine to produce one of the most richly entertaining books ever written about the game of basketball.

John Feinstein

About the Author

John Feinstein is the author of many widely acclaimed and bestselling books on sports, including One on OneMoment of GloryAre You Kidding Me?Living on the BlackTales from Q SchoolLast DanceNext Man Up, Let Me Tell You a Story (with Red Auerbach), Caddy for LifeOpenThe PunchThe Last AmateursThe MajorsA Good Walk SpoiledA Civil WarA Season on the BrinkPlay Ball, and Hard Courts. He is also the author of five sports mystery novels for young readers. He writes for the Washington Post, Washingtonpost.com, and Golf Digest, and is a regular commentator on The Golf Channel.

Learn more about this author