Let Me Tell You a Story: A Lifetime in the Game

John Feinstein & Red Auerbach

The story of the greatest basketball coach who ever lived. (OK, the greatest pro-basketball coach that ever lived—I can’t argue against John Wooden.) What makes this book special is that Red Auerbach is a truly fine man. Red proves to be a fabulous raconteur. His stories about growing up in Brooklyn, serving in the Navy, and being a pioneer in the early days of pro basketball go beyond charming and really are quite spellbinding. The book is totally straightforward and honest and I found it fascinating to learn about Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird etc. from a man who knew and understood them.

As I was a Celtic fan who saw Bill Russell’s debut in 1956 and was at Boston Garden later on that year when they won their first NBA championship in double-overtime thanks to Frank Ramsey’s “shot heard round the world”, this book has a special place in my heart.

However, whether you loved the Celtics or hated the Celtics, this is a book any sports fan would love, and transcends partisanship because Auerbach is such an incredible guy and story-teller.

Review by Len Oppenheim