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Let Me Tell You a Story: A Lifetime in the Game
America's favorite sportswriter teams up with Red Auerbach, the most successful and admired coach in basketball history, to tell the best stories of a legendary life.Living legend Arnold "Red" Auerbach led the Boston Celtics to nine NBA championships, eight of them consecutive, during his 17 year tenure in Boston, from 1950 to 1966. The fiery coach is a unique personality; brash, opinionated, and unfailingly accurate. As a coach, he never stood still along the sidelines, and in retirement he remains a lively part of the game, still consulted by coaches, players, and general managers at age 86.
For years, John Feinstein has met regularly with Red Auerbach and his friends, drawing out Red's life story in a raucous series of unforgettable sessions. From those smoke-and laughter-filled rooms come the colorful reports about all the players and coaches Red has worked with and played against over the years. Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Sam Jones, Bill Russell, and Michael Jordan, you name them, the basketball greats are all here.
Red Auerbach's incredible experiences in sports and John Feinstein's unparalleled skill as a sports storyteller make this one of the greatest books to come out of the game of basketball.
For years, John Feinstein has met regularly with Red Auerbach and his friends, drawing out Red's life story in a raucous series of unforgettable sessions. From those smoke-and laughter-filled rooms come the colorful reports about all the players and coaches Red has worked with and played against over the years. Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Sam Jones, Bill Russell, and Michael Jordan, you name them, the basketball greats are all here.
Red Auerbach's incredible experiences in sports and John Feinstein's unparalleled skill as a sports storyteller make this one of the greatest books to come out of the game of basketball.
346 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2004
45 people are currently reading
1214 people want to read
About the author
Arnold Jacob Red Auerbach
21 books1 followerMost winning American coach Arnold Auerbach, known as Red, of all time led the Celtics of Boston to eight championships of national basketball association in a row between 1959 and 1966 and a ninth and oversaw teams that added seven more as an executive for most of the next forty years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Aue...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Aue...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
February 6, 2017
This book was great, other than the fact that it was kind of hard to follow. It would be in the 1980's then go back to 1960' and talk about the celtics winning a championship. Other than that it was great to learn who the coach of the celtics was when they went on the 8 game win streak, and that was this guy. I recommend this book to anyone that likes sports from the eyes of a coach, or just likes basketball in general.
June 28, 2008
If you don't like basketball or the Boston Celtics, first off you need to reevaluate your life, second, you won't care at all about this book. But if you DO, like basketball and the Boston Celtics, then this is fantastic. Not a true biography, just some great stories about the greatest basketball mind who ever lived.
April 21, 2009
My dad was a big Boston Celtic fan, so I grew watching them and hearing about Red Auerbach. 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. I can tell you that I'm not a big NBA fan but this book is worth your time. Mr. Auerbach's stories about the game, his life and the people in it are fascinating. You come to care about the lunch club that meets every Tuesday to hear his views and his rememberances about the game and politics. John Feinstein really outdid himself with this book. It's not his typical make everything to be dramatic book. It doesn't have to. Mr. Auerbach's stories come to life on their own. 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. I would recommend this book to any basketball fan that wants to hear about how the game came to be.
May 15, 2020
Great Read
I love the Boston Celtics and the book was better than expected. Great stories about Red and friendship. Worth reading
I love the Boston Celtics and the book was better than expected. Great stories about Red and friendship. Worth reading
May 26, 2021
Witty and insightful! Absolutely anyone who coaches basketball should read it!
Read
March 9, 2017Basketball is a fun sport to learn about, and who better to learn from than the greatest to ever coach the game, Red Auerbach. The book starts off with Red's days growing up as a high school basketball star, eventually landing him a scholarship at George Washington University. Following his playing days in college, Red took up coaching and eventually worked himself into the professional platform. First coaching the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, Red earned the head coaching spot for the Boston Celtics, where he led arguably the greatest sports dynasty for over a decade. While the league was condensed to fewer teams and complications compared to today's NBA, Red had many more tasks to handle than any current NBA coach. Without modern day technology, Red had to negotiate with players, contact teams for trades, scout high school and college players and manage the team's finances. The book worked out mainly due to the in depth stories of all facets of the game, rather than just the on court experience. This compilation of stories did not disappoint, and taught me a great amount about the history and progression of professional basketball.
January 19, 2011
Already a Celtics fan, I was somewhat familiar with Red Auerbach, especially the his legendary cigars and his "gift" to Boston by recreating Celtics. However I was NOT aware of how he made all of these deals, including the one with the Ice Capades (read the book to find out!!!), his thoughts on coaching, how HE coached, and even the title of president. Once I started the book, it was all I could think about and wanted to talk about. I think it's a must read for any sports fan, whether they like Boston Celtics or not. Auerbach created NBA into what it is today! He paved the way for current basketball players and fans.
You are now one of my role models, Red Auerbach.
You are now one of my role models, Red Auerbach.
March 6, 2009
Legendary Celtics Patriarch and NBA pioneer Red Auerbach held a weekly lunch at the China Doll restaurant in Washington DC. The group included men from all walks of life. It is an easy read, and a glimpse at what we may be thinking about when we reach the winter of our lives. It is a well-written piece by John Feinstein.
May 13, 2008
John Feinstein at his best!
July 17, 2025
A cool narrative to learn about the early days of the NBA through the eyes of one of its greatest champions. It got a little repetitive and started to feel too long around the 250 page mark.
May 21, 2021
The 2004 autobiography of Red Auerbach is fantastic. The book was written by Red Auerbach and also John Feinstein.
The book is about one of the greatest if not the greatest coach in basketball history, Red Auerbach. The story begins off with Red and a group of his friends going to this restaurant every Tuesday. They share stories about the earlier parts of their lives and what things used to be like. At these lunches primarily Red would talk about his previous experiences with coaching the Celtics dynasty in the early stages of basketball. Such as when they drafted Bill Russel and won 10+ championships in such a short amount of time. The book does not necessarily follow a plot but more is a series of stories and times in Red’s life that he believes are very important and mean a lot to him. The introduction gives the reader context about what Red does now in his free time and tells the reader more about the lunches that they have and all of the stories that they have to share. After the introduction, the book is a series of stories that Red has gone through as an NBA coach and how he acquired certain players and made certain decisions that affected the franchise for the good or for the bad. Around the end of the story, Red talks about more of his retirement and what he does after being one of the best coaches of all time.
I thought this book was actually very good and I was interested in a lot of the story. None of the stories were to a point where they would bore you and make you not want to read the story. The whole book flowed really well. All of the stories would grasp your attention and would give you a lot of contexts so you could fully understand what was going on. Another thing I was very impressed by is even though these people were all real. I felt like I knew the person and was friends with them since you would learn so much about them. This story makes you feel included in the story just like you are at lunch with them hearing Red talk about these stories. The one thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was that the story seemed to do a loop in the plot. The book started out with them at the restaurant talking about these stories then in the middle of the story it was just the stories being told and the lunches seemed to be forgotten. But then later in the story, it goes right back to these lunches a little bit which did not make much sense. Other than that though this story was very good.
I can make a good amount of connections to this story which I think is very important when choosing the right book to read. This book is related to me since I love basketball and the history of basketball. I like learning about those little things that the mainstream media does not address. I find the little things very interesting and I think this is the main reason I really liked this story. I wouldn’t say I benefited from reading this book besides that the book was quite entertaining. The one thing I learned from this book is to never give up and keep going no matter what.
I would recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of basketball and likes learning about the history of basketball. But personally, I do not have anyone in specific I would recommend this story to.
In conclusion, this is a very good book. The story is interesting and well written. I would recommend anyone to read this story.
The book is about one of the greatest if not the greatest coach in basketball history, Red Auerbach. The story begins off with Red and a group of his friends going to this restaurant every Tuesday. They share stories about the earlier parts of their lives and what things used to be like. At these lunches primarily Red would talk about his previous experiences with coaching the Celtics dynasty in the early stages of basketball. Such as when they drafted Bill Russel and won 10+ championships in such a short amount of time. The book does not necessarily follow a plot but more is a series of stories and times in Red’s life that he believes are very important and mean a lot to him. The introduction gives the reader context about what Red does now in his free time and tells the reader more about the lunches that they have and all of the stories that they have to share. After the introduction, the book is a series of stories that Red has gone through as an NBA coach and how he acquired certain players and made certain decisions that affected the franchise for the good or for the bad. Around the end of the story, Red talks about more of his retirement and what he does after being one of the best coaches of all time.
I thought this book was actually very good and I was interested in a lot of the story. None of the stories were to a point where they would bore you and make you not want to read the story. The whole book flowed really well. All of the stories would grasp your attention and would give you a lot of contexts so you could fully understand what was going on. Another thing I was very impressed by is even though these people were all real. I felt like I knew the person and was friends with them since you would learn so much about them. This story makes you feel included in the story just like you are at lunch with them hearing Red talk about these stories. The one thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was that the story seemed to do a loop in the plot. The book started out with them at the restaurant talking about these stories then in the middle of the story it was just the stories being told and the lunches seemed to be forgotten. But then later in the story, it goes right back to these lunches a little bit which did not make much sense. Other than that though this story was very good.
I can make a good amount of connections to this story which I think is very important when choosing the right book to read. This book is related to me since I love basketball and the history of basketball. I like learning about those little things that the mainstream media does not address. I find the little things very interesting and I think this is the main reason I really liked this story. I wouldn’t say I benefited from reading this book besides that the book was quite entertaining. The one thing I learned from this book is to never give up and keep going no matter what.
I would recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of basketball and likes learning about the history of basketball. But personally, I do not have anyone in specific I would recommend this story to.
In conclusion, this is a very good book. The story is interesting and well written. I would recommend anyone to read this story.
August 9, 2022
In terms of basketball coaches, it's hard to think of a bigger winner than Red Auerbach. As coach of the Boston Celtics through the Fifties and Sixties, Auerbach was a champion many times over, and his team's legendary rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers was born during that era. Though he stepped aside from coaching in 1966 (paving the way for the first Black coach in a major sports league, in player-manager Bill Russell), Auerbach continued to be a presence with the Celtics and basketball well into his "retirement" from the Celtics front-office. And every Tuesday at 11 AM, he met with friends for a very special lunch that would entertain the participants over a good meal of Chinese food.
"Let Me Tell You a Story" is John Feinstein's very enjoyable recreation of many of those meals, and of the stories (both about basketball and about life far removed from the court) that he heard there from Red. If you're familiar with the history of the Celtics (if, like me, you've read the fantastic book "The Rivalry" by John Taylor, all about the era that Red was coaching and winning), most of the stuff here won't be breaking-news quality information. But Auerbach was a natural storyteller, and Feinstein wisely knows when to let Red speak and hold off on his own (Feinstein's) opinions or information. The result is a very enjoyable look at a lion of the NBA in his winter of retirement, still living life and having fun with a male group of friends every Tuesday at 11 (Feinstein keeps bringing up the notion of eating lunch at 11 as if it's a freaky thing to do; I guess he's never been hungry enough at that time to go ahead and chow down, but I have).
I actually sought this book out at the local library book sale because of the recent passing of Russell, and I have long had an interest in the pre-Jordan NBA (not that I don't like the Jordan era or the LeBron era, but I am very much a history buff). So this was a fun, light read. It's not as focused on Red's championship years, perhaps because those years have been so thoroughly analyzed in books and other forms of history of the era (again, see Taylor's book). But it's entertaining to hear Red's thoughts on how the Celtics could once again reach the heights of their former glory, as well as chime in on some of the issues of that day (circa 2003) that were facing the NBA. Auerbach died a year before the most recent Celtics championship in 2008. Of course, since then the team has had its ups and downs, with the Brad Stevens era being one that promised so much but delivered no further championship trophies. I'm not a sports fan who thinks leagues are only good when the premier teams (your Yankees, Patriots, Lakers or Celtics) are winning, but it doesn't hurt to see a franchise once known for wins start to dominate again.
"Let Me Tell You a Story" is full of fun and interesting stories about the man who helped build the modern NBA, one championship ring at a time. It sounds like it was a blast to get an invite to Red's table every Tuesday at 11.
"Let Me Tell You a Story" is John Feinstein's very enjoyable recreation of many of those meals, and of the stories (both about basketball and about life far removed from the court) that he heard there from Red. If you're familiar with the history of the Celtics (if, like me, you've read the fantastic book "The Rivalry" by John Taylor, all about the era that Red was coaching and winning), most of the stuff here won't be breaking-news quality information. But Auerbach was a natural storyteller, and Feinstein wisely knows when to let Red speak and hold off on his own (Feinstein's) opinions or information. The result is a very enjoyable look at a lion of the NBA in his winter of retirement, still living life and having fun with a male group of friends every Tuesday at 11 (Feinstein keeps bringing up the notion of eating lunch at 11 as if it's a freaky thing to do; I guess he's never been hungry enough at that time to go ahead and chow down, but I have).
I actually sought this book out at the local library book sale because of the recent passing of Russell, and I have long had an interest in the pre-Jordan NBA (not that I don't like the Jordan era or the LeBron era, but I am very much a history buff). So this was a fun, light read. It's not as focused on Red's championship years, perhaps because those years have been so thoroughly analyzed in books and other forms of history of the era (again, see Taylor's book). But it's entertaining to hear Red's thoughts on how the Celtics could once again reach the heights of their former glory, as well as chime in on some of the issues of that day (circa 2003) that were facing the NBA. Auerbach died a year before the most recent Celtics championship in 2008. Of course, since then the team has had its ups and downs, with the Brad Stevens era being one that promised so much but delivered no further championship trophies. I'm not a sports fan who thinks leagues are only good when the premier teams (your Yankees, Patriots, Lakers or Celtics) are winning, but it doesn't hurt to see a franchise once known for wins start to dominate again.
"Let Me Tell You a Story" is full of fun and interesting stories about the man who helped build the modern NBA, one championship ring at a time. It sounds like it was a blast to get an invite to Red's table every Tuesday at 11.
March 19, 2018
You cannot tell the story of the Celtics without telling the story of Red Auerbach, their Hall of Fame coach. John Feinstein, a renowned sports writer, was invited to weekly lunches with Red and his friends at the China Doll restaurant in D.C. at 11 AM on Tuesday mornings. From those moments sharing a meal together the book "Let Me Tell You A Story" was born.
From humble beginnings in New York, Red Auerbach rose to fame and success far beyond his humble aspirations to teach P.E. and coach in high school. With all of his access to people and places it was most refreshing to read of a man who genuinely enjoyed the company of his friends later in life when he could have chosen to isolate himself after a lifetime in a spotlight he never sought out. I didn't realize until reading the book that Auerbach spent most of his life in D.C. and was only in Boston when coaching or serving as GM required it of him. Also, you learn of the incredible strength of is wife Dorothy who stayed in D.C. with their daughter Nancy due to her asthma condition. Ultimately Red was a man who succeed in so many ways because his family sacrificed for him to pursue his calling.
Throughout the book you realize the one thing, outside of his family, that allowed Red to achieve his dizzying heights of success was his ability to handle players from a psychological standpoint. He was a sports psychologist and coach before NBA and other profession teams actually hired people to that position. Auerbach's feel for the game and understanding of his guys and their individual needs, rather than a one size fits all approach to coaching, were light years ahead of his time and helped pave the way for all the NBA titles on the court. That care and concern for his players on the court transferred off the court and created a brotherhood of former Celtics who always held their former coach in high regard.
Red Auerbach, like all of us, had his flaws. He was loyal to a fault that kept him from seeing the racism in friends like Adolph Rupp and calling them out on it. He was a grudge holder who lived by the maxim of "forgive but never forget." However, as I've read other sports biographies it is clear this grudge holding in some way serves as fuel for others of the all-time greats. Not saying its admirable but it appears to be a price they are willing to pay for their success. Lastly, Auerbach struggled to let others serve him in return for his care, support, and service to them. While it seems honorable on the surface it really keeps others in a position of indebtedness that preserves a certain power structure in the relationship.
Overall, this book was a fascinating look into the life of one of the greatest coaches of all-time from any sport or discipline. If you are a basketball junkie or a Celtics fan it is a must read.
From humble beginnings in New York, Red Auerbach rose to fame and success far beyond his humble aspirations to teach P.E. and coach in high school. With all of his access to people and places it was most refreshing to read of a man who genuinely enjoyed the company of his friends later in life when he could have chosen to isolate himself after a lifetime in a spotlight he never sought out. I didn't realize until reading the book that Auerbach spent most of his life in D.C. and was only in Boston when coaching or serving as GM required it of him. Also, you learn of the incredible strength of is wife Dorothy who stayed in D.C. with their daughter Nancy due to her asthma condition. Ultimately Red was a man who succeed in so many ways because his family sacrificed for him to pursue his calling.
Throughout the book you realize the one thing, outside of his family, that allowed Red to achieve his dizzying heights of success was his ability to handle players from a psychological standpoint. He was a sports psychologist and coach before NBA and other profession teams actually hired people to that position. Auerbach's feel for the game and understanding of his guys and their individual needs, rather than a one size fits all approach to coaching, were light years ahead of his time and helped pave the way for all the NBA titles on the court. That care and concern for his players on the court transferred off the court and created a brotherhood of former Celtics who always held their former coach in high regard.
Red Auerbach, like all of us, had his flaws. He was loyal to a fault that kept him from seeing the racism in friends like Adolph Rupp and calling them out on it. He was a grudge holder who lived by the maxim of "forgive but never forget." However, as I've read other sports biographies it is clear this grudge holding in some way serves as fuel for others of the all-time greats. Not saying its admirable but it appears to be a price they are willing to pay for their success. Lastly, Auerbach struggled to let others serve him in return for his care, support, and service to them. While it seems honorable on the surface it really keeps others in a position of indebtedness that preserves a certain power structure in the relationship.
Overall, this book was a fascinating look into the life of one of the greatest coaches of all-time from any sport or discipline. If you are a basketball junkie or a Celtics fan it is a must read.
May 12, 2010
Every Tuesday for four years, Feinstein, the author of two of the bestselling sports books of all time, A Good Walk Spoiled and A Season on the Brink, played story collector, gathering tales for this, his 16th offering. During those four years, Feinstein lived for the Monday-night phone call that delivered five words to him every week: "Tuesday. Eleven o’clock. China Doll." Those words invited him to the most exclusive lunch club in sports, led by legendary Boston Celtics coach Auerbach and frequented by coaches, secret service agents, close friends and Auerbach relatives, as well as by anyone in D.C. lucky enough to receive an invitation. Between bites of Mu-Shu pork and chicken-fried rice, Auerbach and his crew chewed on subjects from politics to women’s basketball to today’s coaches, and Feinstein jotted it all down.
The Feinstein-Auerbach collaboration brings together two of the most sought-after storytellers in sports and gives readers their own invitation into the China Doll club. In more than 50 years with the green and gold, Auerbach collected countless friends, admirers and stories. Now 86, he’s forgotten nothing and has an opinion on everything. "I ever tell you how I got to know Joe Dimaggio?" begins chapter three. "I ever tell you how I got thrown out of the all-star game in 1967? About the time I met Clinton and Gore?" These great storytellers make this book so effortless to read that you can almost hear Red reciting each line and smell him lighting up that famous cigar. Tuesday. Eleven o’clock. Don’t be late. And never, under any circumstances, offer to pick up the check. 8 pages of b&w photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Every Tuesday morning at 11, basketball legend Red Auerbach holds court with a dozen or so cronies at the China Doll restaurant on H Street in Washington. For the past four years, bestselling author John Feinstein has joined them.
Auerbach orders chow mein. Feinstein orders schmaltz and spreads it thick in his 16th book, Let Me Tell You A Story -- equal parts anecdote, Auerbach biography and misty memoir of the midday meals. Feinstein is so sodden with sentiment that he awarded Auerbach a co-author credit, which is kind of like Boswell playing share-a-byline with Johnson.
This book will work best for those who think that last reference was to Thomas Boswell and Magic Johnson.
The published record is already larded with testimony to Auerbach's greatness. Two autobiographies, a handful of bios and a business how-to called Management by Auerbach (MBA, get it?) attest to his unsurpassed success -- nine National Basketball Association titles as coach of the Boston Celtics and another seven as the team's front-office brainiac. What Let Me Tell You a Story adds to the pile is Feinstein. A former Washington Post reporter who still contributes to the paper, he could probably turn a grocery list into gripping theater. It doesn't matter how many times these stories have been told (and some are shopworn); Feinstein's version is consistently the one suitable for etching in stone.
In previous books, Feinstein has done groundbreaking journalism. He shone a cold spotlight on Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers in A Season on the Brink, wormed his way into pro golfers' psyches in A Good Walk Spoiled and plumbed the heartbreak reverberating from a 1977 NBA fistfight in The Punch.
But Let Me Tell You a Story isn't journalism so much as hagiography. Any criticism of Auerbach makes Feinstein go nuclear; he's cast himself as Smithers to Auerbach's Mr. Burns.
Among Auerbach's virtues: He's gracious in victory, has an amazing memory, has an equally amazing feel for people, shows a gruff exterior but is really compassionate and loyal, hates to see potential squandered, absolutely adores kids, almost never says no to another coach and eats his Chinese food steamed so it doesn't sit heavily in his stomach.
Feinstein's idol worship certainly has its justifications. Among the book's twice-told tales are Red's bamboozling of the rest of the NBA to draft his biggest star, Bill Russell, in a deal that included, of all things, the promise of an Ice Capades swing through Rochester, N.Y. There's Red outraging New England by declaring the rookie Bob Cousy no better than a "local yokel," then molding him into a Hall of Famer. And there's Red tormenting the perennially second-best Los Angeles Lakers during Boston's remarkable run from 1957 to 1966.
During his coaching career, Auerbach amassed such a vast admiration society that, years later, an invitation to spend Tuesdays with Red made otherwise sophisticated men stammer in grateful incredulity.
Since Feinstein joined the crew, Auerbach lost his wife and brother, and Feinstein touchingly describes the love that friends show for the old coach. There's fresh dish, too -- such as Auerbach's prediction that Michael Jordan would make a lousy executive for the Washington Wizards. ("Red's instincts were proven correct pretty quickly," writes Feinstein.) And there's a discussion of Auerbach's quiet deference in 1997 as newly recruited Celtics coach and general manager Rick Pitino insisted on usurping Auerbach's title as president, then ran Red's beloved franchise into the hardwood. Ever loyal to the team whose reputation he built, Auerbach spoke up only after Pitino left town, and then only blandly: "He just fell into the same trap that so many guys fall into nowadays: he wanted everything." Luckily, the Redhead has Feinstein watching his back. "Not trusting Red Auerbach on the subject of basketball," he writes, "is a little bit like not trusting Mozart or Beethoven on the subject of great music. When a master speaks, the wise listen."
Auerbach cheerfully feeds the myth. He turned 87 in September and still functions as the Celtics' Yoda. He was there at the league's postwar beginnings, and he stomped his competition without the help of assistant coaches or scouts. Last spring, the Lakers' Phil Jackson came within three games of beating Auerbach's record of coaching nine NBA champions. But nobody would dare chisel Jackson's mug next to Auerbach's on a roundball Rushmore. The NBA record book is not the sole source of the Auerbach mystique. There's also the singular symbol of arrogance and domination that he wielded without shame: the cigar.
Auerbach was famous for lighting up on the sideline once a Celtics victory was secure. After Red quit coaching in 1966, Feinstein writes, stogies were banned in Boston. Considered from a Freudian perspective, it's no wonder that today's players are able to run coaches out of town.
Red took his cigar with him to the Tuesday lunches. Raised in Brooklyn, famous as a Bostonian, Auerbach nevertheless has kept a residence in Washington dating from his schooldays at George Washington University in the 1930s. Red's lunch companions include members of Washington's sports intelligentsia, such as retired DeMatha High School coach Morgan Wootten, plus some country-club buddies, a couple of Secret Service agents, an old pal from Brooklyn and Auerbach's sons-in-law. This no-girls-allowed club pays Auerbach every obeisance short of bowing at his feet and wailing, "We're not worthy." All arguments are settled by Red. He's the one who picks up the tab. He's the one with the cigar.
The Feinstein-Auerbach collaboration brings together two of the most sought-after storytellers in sports and gives readers their own invitation into the China Doll club. In more than 50 years with the green and gold, Auerbach collected countless friends, admirers and stories. Now 86, he’s forgotten nothing and has an opinion on everything. "I ever tell you how I got to know Joe Dimaggio?" begins chapter three. "I ever tell you how I got thrown out of the all-star game in 1967? About the time I met Clinton and Gore?" These great storytellers make this book so effortless to read that you can almost hear Red reciting each line and smell him lighting up that famous cigar. Tuesday. Eleven o’clock. Don’t be late. And never, under any circumstances, offer to pick up the check. 8 pages of b&w photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Every Tuesday morning at 11, basketball legend Red Auerbach holds court with a dozen or so cronies at the China Doll restaurant on H Street in Washington. For the past four years, bestselling author John Feinstein has joined them.
Auerbach orders chow mein. Feinstein orders schmaltz and spreads it thick in his 16th book, Let Me Tell You A Story -- equal parts anecdote, Auerbach biography and misty memoir of the midday meals. Feinstein is so sodden with sentiment that he awarded Auerbach a co-author credit, which is kind of like Boswell playing share-a-byline with Johnson.
This book will work best for those who think that last reference was to Thomas Boswell and Magic Johnson.
The published record is already larded with testimony to Auerbach's greatness. Two autobiographies, a handful of bios and a business how-to called Management by Auerbach (MBA, get it?) attest to his unsurpassed success -- nine National Basketball Association titles as coach of the Boston Celtics and another seven as the team's front-office brainiac. What Let Me Tell You a Story adds to the pile is Feinstein. A former Washington Post reporter who still contributes to the paper, he could probably turn a grocery list into gripping theater. It doesn't matter how many times these stories have been told (and some are shopworn); Feinstein's version is consistently the one suitable for etching in stone.
In previous books, Feinstein has done groundbreaking journalism. He shone a cold spotlight on Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers in A Season on the Brink, wormed his way into pro golfers' psyches in A Good Walk Spoiled and plumbed the heartbreak reverberating from a 1977 NBA fistfight in The Punch.
But Let Me Tell You a Story isn't journalism so much as hagiography. Any criticism of Auerbach makes Feinstein go nuclear; he's cast himself as Smithers to Auerbach's Mr. Burns.
Among Auerbach's virtues: He's gracious in victory, has an amazing memory, has an equally amazing feel for people, shows a gruff exterior but is really compassionate and loyal, hates to see potential squandered, absolutely adores kids, almost never says no to another coach and eats his Chinese food steamed so it doesn't sit heavily in his stomach.
Feinstein's idol worship certainly has its justifications. Among the book's twice-told tales are Red's bamboozling of the rest of the NBA to draft his biggest star, Bill Russell, in a deal that included, of all things, the promise of an Ice Capades swing through Rochester, N.Y. There's Red outraging New England by declaring the rookie Bob Cousy no better than a "local yokel," then molding him into a Hall of Famer. And there's Red tormenting the perennially second-best Los Angeles Lakers during Boston's remarkable run from 1957 to 1966.
During his coaching career, Auerbach amassed such a vast admiration society that, years later, an invitation to spend Tuesdays with Red made otherwise sophisticated men stammer in grateful incredulity.
Since Feinstein joined the crew, Auerbach lost his wife and brother, and Feinstein touchingly describes the love that friends show for the old coach. There's fresh dish, too -- such as Auerbach's prediction that Michael Jordan would make a lousy executive for the Washington Wizards. ("Red's instincts were proven correct pretty quickly," writes Feinstein.) And there's a discussion of Auerbach's quiet deference in 1997 as newly recruited Celtics coach and general manager Rick Pitino insisted on usurping Auerbach's title as president, then ran Red's beloved franchise into the hardwood. Ever loyal to the team whose reputation he built, Auerbach spoke up only after Pitino left town, and then only blandly: "He just fell into the same trap that so many guys fall into nowadays: he wanted everything." Luckily, the Redhead has Feinstein watching his back. "Not trusting Red Auerbach on the subject of basketball," he writes, "is a little bit like not trusting Mozart or Beethoven on the subject of great music. When a master speaks, the wise listen."
Auerbach cheerfully feeds the myth. He turned 87 in September and still functions as the Celtics' Yoda. He was there at the league's postwar beginnings, and he stomped his competition without the help of assistant coaches or scouts. Last spring, the Lakers' Phil Jackson came within three games of beating Auerbach's record of coaching nine NBA champions. But nobody would dare chisel Jackson's mug next to Auerbach's on a roundball Rushmore. The NBA record book is not the sole source of the Auerbach mystique. There's also the singular symbol of arrogance and domination that he wielded without shame: the cigar.
Auerbach was famous for lighting up on the sideline once a Celtics victory was secure. After Red quit coaching in 1966, Feinstein writes, stogies were banned in Boston. Considered from a Freudian perspective, it's no wonder that today's players are able to run coaches out of town.
Red took his cigar with him to the Tuesday lunches. Raised in Brooklyn, famous as a Bostonian, Auerbach nevertheless has kept a residence in Washington dating from his schooldays at George Washington University in the 1930s. Red's lunch companions include members of Washington's sports intelligentsia, such as retired DeMatha High School coach Morgan Wootten, plus some country-club buddies, a couple of Secret Service agents, an old pal from Brooklyn and Auerbach's sons-in-law. This no-girls-allowed club pays Auerbach every obeisance short of bowing at his feet and wailing, "We're not worthy." All arguments are settled by Red. He's the one who picks up the tab. He's the one with the cigar.
May 22, 2019
The book "Let Me Tell You A Story" by Red Auerbach was very exciting to read because I am a big NBA basketball fan and it showed me where the league was when it was still developing into the monopoly that it is now. The book told stories from different people's perspective and was very creatively written, the only downside to this is that the people talking about their experience tends to shift often. I really like the in-depth story it gives you from the mind of coach Auerbach "Players are people, not horses. You don’t handle them. You work with them, you coach them, you teach them, and, maybe most important, you listen to them." (Auerbach) Red Auerbach did not think like many of the coaches at the time he had a different mentality. A lot of the trade talk confused me because it was the same name over and over and I didn't have any background on that player. This book is a great example of one of the essential questions what does it mean to be an American because it's about how far these players and coaches got when they came from so little. I'd recommend this book to any aspiring sports coaches or even players because the thoughts in this book can and will translate to any sport imaginable.
May 5, 2017
I, being not a big fan of books regarding sports, enjoyed looking through the eyes of Red Auerbach in this interesting novel. The story takes place during Red's coaching days and we, as the readers, get a feel of his straight forward outlook on life. I find it fascinating because this book travels back in time and places you in the midst of an era of the (specifically) Boston Celtics' revolution. Reading about Larry Bird, Parish, and more famous players shows the significance of Auerbach's story...he was surrounded by legends, making himself one too through his hard work. At times, the book became dull and less interesting as I transitioned chapter to chapter, but overall this book is fascinating. Every young reader should read about these self-made legends in the fight for the win of the century.
April 9, 2018
You enjoy basketball? Read this book. How about good stories? Pick up a copy. What about an easy-to-read episodic series of accounts that detail a person's journey through a life of basketball? This one's for you.
Even if you dislike basketball, reading this book gives a sometimes funny, sometimes sobering, always revealing late history of one Red Auerbach, the true pioneer of the modern NBA today. John Feinstein's chapters provide a thematic opening, followed by satisfying amounts of both descriptions and dialogue. The chapters provide chronology with appropriate glimpses into the raising of the protagonist. Every chapter's centerpiece is Red's fondness for the weekly Tuesday luncheons at the China Doll where he held court with his closest friends, people who once invited, dared not miss each week's camaraderie.
Wonderful book, even you dislike Chinese food.
Even if you dislike basketball, reading this book gives a sometimes funny, sometimes sobering, always revealing late history of one Red Auerbach, the true pioneer of the modern NBA today. John Feinstein's chapters provide a thematic opening, followed by satisfying amounts of both descriptions and dialogue. The chapters provide chronology with appropriate glimpses into the raising of the protagonist. Every chapter's centerpiece is Red's fondness for the weekly Tuesday luncheons at the China Doll where he held court with his closest friends, people who once invited, dared not miss each week's camaraderie.
Wonderful book, even you dislike Chinese food.
February 24, 2024
Has John Feinstein ever written a dog? Not to my knowledge. Has he ever had such an incredibly entertaining and wonderful character to base his writings on as he does with Red Auerbach? Debatable, but in my mind, not likely. Let Me Tell You a Story captures the beautiful, colorful life of the great pioneering basketball icon who led the Boston Celtics in their glory years. Auerbach is one of those incredible personalities that I would have loved to have spent 10 minutes with. Feinstein, one of the great sports writers lucked into doing that and a great deal more in the later years of Auerbach's life and collaborated in sharing the experiences and tales that were Auerbach's life. Let Me Tell You a Story is a fascinating book about one of the most fascinating characters in sports. There will never be another quite like Red Auerbach.
March 24, 2024
Mr. Auerbach was ahead of his time when he was alive, and would still be ahead of his time if he was alive today.
While parts of the book seemed repetitive, I'm sure the stories that Red told were just that. Stories that he had told many times, but each time you heard it, you learned something new because he may have added a detail that he hadn't mentioned the previous time.
Basketball was lucky to have him be an ambassador for the game for as long as it did, and I would love to hear his thoughts on the college game today (I'm guessing he would be in favor of the players getting paid, but not in favor of how they can transfer to the highest bidder) as well as how the NBA has become even more of a 3-point shooting league (instead of the fundamentals and mid range jump shot).
While parts of the book seemed repetitive, I'm sure the stories that Red told were just that. Stories that he had told many times, but each time you heard it, you learned something new because he may have added a detail that he hadn't mentioned the previous time.
Basketball was lucky to have him be an ambassador for the game for as long as it did, and I would love to hear his thoughts on the college game today (I'm guessing he would be in favor of the players getting paid, but not in favor of how they can transfer to the highest bidder) as well as how the NBA has become even more of a 3-point shooting league (instead of the fundamentals and mid range jump shot).
May 22, 2025
I revere Red Auerbach not just as a Celtics fan but just in general. Initially, I thought he was just good in his job but having heard interviews from him, I found that more than that, he was also a great person. This book solidified that impression for me. As a basketball fan, it was very fascinating hearing all these little tidbits about historical figures in the game such as my favorite Celtics (Bill, Cousy, Larry, etc.) as well as their competitors (Wilt, Chamberlain, and even Jordan). For someone who probably already scoured the internet for Celtics info and documentaries, I certainly learned a lot more than I anticipated, things that might have been written in the context of sports, but certainly are transferable to any field.
July 8, 2018
Loved this book. Can't go wrong with anything by John Feinstein--one of the best sports writers around. As a lifelong Celtics fan, I am familiar with all of the players mentioned, but not so familiar with Red Auerbach. Never knew that Red didn't want Cousy. Cousy's name was picked out of a hat. I also didn't know about the lunches at the China Doll restaurant in Washington (how lucky for Feinstein to be invited and included). Everything about this book kept me hooked from beginning to end. Increased my love and appreciation for Red Auerbach and what he meant to and did for the Celtics.
April 11, 2020
I’m a big John Feinstein fan and he brings his eye for detail and love of sports to this book. Lots of great stories including strong opinions about some well-known players and coaches and several laugh out loud moments. It’s clear that Feinstein is a huge Red Auerbach fan, which almost always works except for a few occasions that appear a bit fawning or too quick to explain away behaviors that would be faults in other people. That said—very enjoyable and recommended.
December 1, 2020
What do you get when you combine John Feinstein's artful storytelling abilities and the decades of knowledge and wisdom of Red Auerbach? A masterpiece, that's what. This easygoing chronological collection of anecdotes (yes, I know it's a mouthful, but that's the best way to do this justice) paints an accurate and personal story of the impact Red Auerbach has had, not just on the Boston Celtics, and not just on the NBA, but on the sport of basketball globally.
February 28, 2022
The crisp writing by Feinstein lends itself to be read easily and quickly. It places you there as if one was listening to Red and being there at the China Doll was located. It’s an account from a fly on the wall and providing context to members of his lunch group and how they connected to Red. It’s more a collection of reminiscence that could’ve delved deeper into Red’S history. But I guess that’s for another book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2017
Fantastic story about the man who made the Celtics what they are. From this book you get a impression of not only how much of a basketball genius Red Auerbach was but his sense of humor & penchant for story telling as well. If you're a fan who wants to learn about and appreciate the history of the Boston Celtics this is a must read.
February 26, 2025
Listen....I am a republican....but I am no racisct....fuck I have the mathematics wu tang schlereth tatted on my arm....but I ya wanna meet an old boston white guy who knew basketball and was soooo racist he made the best champion ever head coach...remember I am soʻoo racist I didn't mention the color of that man.....awesome book for sports fans
July 7, 2025
A Great Story
A very readable and charming book about the life of Red Auerbach and just some of the countless tales he had to tell. While there are a few points that feel redundant, this is a great book with great stories. One of my favorite parts is the community that met at 11 AM on Tuesdays at The China Doll restaurant. Highly recommend!
A very readable and charming book about the life of Red Auerbach and just some of the countless tales he had to tell. While there are a few points that feel redundant, this is a great book with great stories. One of my favorite parts is the community that met at 11 AM on Tuesdays at The China Doll restaurant. Highly recommend!
December 29, 2019
A mix of stories of Red's life with his opinions on the current state of basketball as of the early 2000s.
A few of Red's opinions may be an old man's grouching, but most of them are enlightening and all of them are highly entertaining.
A few of Red's opinions may be an old man's grouching, but most of them are enlightening and all of them are highly entertaining.
May 14, 2020
Nostalgic portrait of a throwback
Even long-time Celtics haters like me (that cigar really burned) can enjoy this sentimental treatment of one of all sports' all-time genuine characters... and a mensch.
Even long-time Celtics haters like me (that cigar really burned) can enjoy this sentimental treatment of one of all sports' all-time genuine characters... and a mensch.
January 17, 2021
Let Me Tell You A Story is a treasure trove of basketball history wrapped around a love for Red Auerbach by his limitless universe of friends who gather weekly at a Washington Chinese restaurant.
You don't have to be a Celtics fan to enjoy this book.
You don't have to be a Celtics fan to enjoy this book.
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