Product Description
Bill Russell was not the first African American to play professional basketball, but he was its first black superstar. From the moment he stepped onto the court of the Boston Garden in 1956, Russell began to transform the sport in a fundamental way, making him, more than any of his contemporaries, the Jackie Robinson of basketball. In King of the Court, Aram Goudsouzian provides a vivid and engrossing chronicle of the life and career of this brilliant champion and courageous racial pioneer. Russell's leaping, wide-ranging defense altered the game's texture. His teams provided models of racial integration in the 1950s and 1960s, and, in 1966, he became the first black coach of any major professional team sport. Yet, like no athlete before him, Russell challenged the politics of sport. Instead of displaying appreciative deference, he decried racist institutions, embraced his African roots, and challenged the nonviolent tenets of the civil rights movement. This beautifully written book--sophisticated, nuanced, and insightful--reveals a singular individual who expressed the dreams of Martin Luther King Jr. while echoing the warnings of Malcolm X. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Great Book About Sports -- and Much More
I'm not really a sports person, but I could not stop reading this book.

I found myself drawn into the stories that Goudsouzian tells.One is the story of Bill Russell himself, an amazing athlete and quirky personality who rose to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time and a founder of the Celtics mystique.

But this is not simply a biography of one man.Goudsouzian also narrates the civil rights movement and the "rise of the black athlete" through the story of Russell's life.Like all good books about a single person, Goudsouzian puts Russell the man into his times to show how each shaped the other.Russell became a crusader for racial equality and black pride both in his on-the-court play and his off-the-court life.This is also the tale of the evolution of modern sports and how basketball went from being a small-time enterprise to an enormous cultural influence in America, thanks in large part to men like Russell.

Goudsouzian is a master historian who has done an amazing amount of research, but he's also a fabulous writer.The book sizzles with a "you-are-there" style of sports writing that puts the reader into the heat of the action.At the same time, Goudsouzian is able to step back with the historian's breadth of vision to show us what it all means and why the life of this one man -- impressive on its own terms -- points to larger themes in American history.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in recent US history, especially African-American history, as well as the history of sports in America.

Bill Russell: Revolutionary
No basketball player defined the sixties the way that Bill Russell did. From 1959 to 1969, Russell led the Boston Celtics to ten NBA championships, including eight straight.* During this period, Russell was the central force of the greatest dynasty in the history of the sport. The Celtics helped transform the NBA from an obscure professional basketball league into a prominent sport that has become an important part of American popular culture and entertainment.

Russell's Celtics revolutionized the NBA. Before he joined the Celtics in 1956, professional basketball was essentially a lily-white, slow, earthbound sport. But Russell helped change all of that. He infused a black aesthetic into basketball and altered the patterns of the game. The changes could be seen in the way Russell rebounded the ball: he flew into the air, snatched the ball off the rim, and in one motion whipped an outlet pass to Bob Cousy or K.C. Jones, igniting a fast-break. Traditionally, basketball coaches taught their players never to leave their feet on defense. Russell ignored this rule. He leaped off the parquet floor and blocked shots, frustrating and intimidating shooters. Sometimes he simply jumped and caught a player's errant shot in midair. Russell's defense stretched the possibilities of the game. He cultivated a faster and more athletic sport.

In Aram Goudsouzian's King of the Court, we learn that Russell challenged racial boundaries on and off the court. When he arrived in Boston in December 1956, Russell was the only black player on the Celtics and only 15 African Americans held roster spots in the NBA. Russell was not the first black player in the league, but he was the NBA's first black superstar. Over the course of his thirteen seasons, Russell and the Celtics symbolized integration in American life. By 1969, Russell's last season, the NBA had become a predominantly black sport.

But Russell refused to believe that his integrated teams were evidence of racial progress in America. Goudsouzian documents the courtside racial taunts that Russell heard, the hate mail he received, and the discrimination he faced in the South and in Boston. Goudsouzian is a master storyteller whose vivid narrative shows how Russell embodied the tensions of the civil rights movement and how he confronted racial discrimination. In King of the Court, readers will learn how Russell became one of the first outspoken, politically active black athletes in America, at a time when athletes avoided controversial social and political issues. Russell's defiant behavior off the court challenged traditional standards of behavior for black athletes, paving the way for younger, more militant black athletes.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about Russell, the history of the NBA, or the civil rights movement. Goudsouzian covers it all: the Wilt-Russell rivalry, the commercial growth of professional basketball, Russell's relationship with Red Auerbach, his involvement in the civil rights movement, the explosive racial history of Boston in the 1960s and 1970s, and the legacy of the Celtics' dynasty. This is unquestionably one of the best sport biographies written in the last decade. Don't take my word for it. Read it yourself.

*Russell won 11 total championships in 13 seasons.

A Serious But Still Engaging Account of Russell's Life and Impact
I've been a fan of Goudsouzian's work since I came across his seminal biography of Poitier a few years ago. I admired that book as a successful effort at chronicling Poitier's career and personal relationships without descending to the cheap but all-too-common trick of sensationalizing his romantic life and Hollywood connections in order to move books. In King of the Court, Goudsouzian maintains the same even, academic tone to his work. His account of Russell's basketball career is thoroughly researched but not overlong at 280 pages. The author's writing style is succint yet engaging.In terms of content, I particularly liked how Goudsouzian intertwined accounts of Russell's successes in sport with commentary on the racial and political climate of the times. In this way he paints a balanced portrait of Bill Russell as both athlete and cultural symbol. Overall an excellent read. ... Read more

Product Description
Bill Russell was not the first African American to play professional basketball, but he was its first black superstar. From the moment he stepped onto the court of the Boston Garden in 1956, Russell began to transform the sport in a fundamental way, making him, more than any of his contemporaries, the Jackie Robinson of basketball. In King of the Court, Aram Goudsouzian provides a vivid and engrossing chronicle of the life and career of this brilliant champion and courageous racial pioneer. Russell's leaping, wide-ranging defense altered the game's texture. His teams provided models of racial integration in the 1950s and 1960s, and, in 1966, he became the first black coach of any major professional team sport. Yet, like no athlete before him, Russell challenged the politics of sport. Instead of displaying appreciative deference, he decried racist institutions, embraced his African roots, and challenged the nonviolent tenets of the civil rights movement. This beautifully written book--sophisticated, nuanced, and insightful--reveals a singular individual who expressed the dreams of Martin Luther King Jr. while echoing the warnings of Malcolm X. ... Read more

Product Description
Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Mike Krzyzewski, Magic Johnson, John Wooden, Pat Summitt, Isiah Thomas, Nancy Lieberman, Phil Jackson, Patrick Ewing, Larry Brown, Byron Scott, Pat Riley, Bill Cartwright, Michael Ray Richardson, Larry Bird, Terry Porter, Rick Pitino, Rick Adelman, Dennis Johnson, Scott Skiles, Reggie Theus, Quinn Buckner, Kenny Anderson, Mike D'antoni, Bob Feerick, Doug Collins, Cotton Fitzsimmons, Kermit Washington, Paul Westphal, Tom Heinsohn, Dawn Staley, Charlie Ward, Jeff Ruland, Jerry West, Henry Bibby, Maurice Lucas, Del Harris, Cliff Hagan, Billy Cunningham, Frank Selvy, Tom Meschery, Johnny Kerr, Henry Iba, Rick Carlisle, Dan Issel, Marynell Meadors, Don Nelson, Jack Ramsay, Lenny Wilkens, Bob Lanier, Mike Brown, Paul Westhead, Johnny Dawkins, Rudy Tomjanovich, Steve Alford, Bob Davies, Scott Brooks, Walt Hazzard, Red Holzman, Kyle Macy, Bob Kauffman, Anne Donovan, Suzie Mcconnell Serio, Tom Gola, Alex Groza, Larry Costello, John Thompson, Jerry Sloan, Wes Unseld, M.l. Carr, Red Auerbach, Earl Lloyd, Jeff Grayer, John Lucas, Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn, K.c. Jones, Marianne Stanley, John Whisenant, Dan Peterson, Ron Stewart, Tree Rollins, Fred Schaus, Jeff Mullins, Mike Dunleavy Sr., Doc Rivers, Brian Winters, Rod Thorn, Mike Thibault, Buddy O'grady, David Twardzik, Vern Mikkelsen, Stan Van Gundy, Jim Pollard, Jim Les, Les Harrison, Slater Martin, Darrell Walker, Mel Daniels, Jeff Malone, Sue Wicks, Dan Hughes, Bill Fitch, Avery Johnson, Bob Bass, Max Zaslofsky, Chuck Daly, Don Chaney, Dick Motta, Red Rocha, Andy Phillip, Larry Steele, Neil Johnston, Dick Van Arsdale, Joe Meriweather, T. R. Dunn, Chris Singleton, Paul Pressey, Travis Mays, Dick Mcguire, Frank Layden, Paul Silas, Bill Musselman, Larry S...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

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Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers. He won a championship and an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his rookie season, and won four more championships with the Lakers during the 1980s. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. After protests from his fellow players, he retired again for four years, but returned in 1996 to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time. Johnson's career achievements include three NBA MVP Awards, nine NBA Finals appearances, twelve All-Star games, and ten All-NBA First and Second Team nominations ... Read more

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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Bill Russell, K. C. Jones, Bill Cartwright, Phil Smith, Jim Brovelli, Erwin Mueller, Rodney Tention, Winford Boynes, Wallace Bryant, Quintin Dailey, Jimmy Needles, Joe Ellis, Chubby Cox, Fred Scolari, Mike Farmer, John E. Benington, James Hardy, Pete Cross, Rene Herrerias, Eric Fernsten, Kevin Mouton, Kevin Restani, Joe Mcnamee. Excerpt:Center James William "Bill" Cartwright (born July 30, 1957 in Lodi , California ) is a retired American NBA basketball player and a current assistant coach with the NBA 's Phoenix Suns . A 7'1" (2.16 m) center , he played 16 seasons for the New York Knicks , Chicago Bulls and Seattle SuperSonics , helping the Bulls capture consecutive championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, California , and played college basketball at the University of San Francisco . High school and college career As a prep star, Cartwright was just as heavily regarded as fellow preps Darryl Dawkins and Bill Willoughby . Cartwright played his college ball at the University of San Francisco , and was a consensus second team all-American in 1977 and 1979. He graduated as the all-time leading scorer for the USF Dons, averaging 19.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Cartwright led San Francisco to three trips to the NCAA tournament, including a first round in the 1977 Tournament, and to the Sweet Sixteen in the 1978 and 1979 Tournaments. Year: Team W-L: G: FG: FGA: FG %: FT: FTA: FT %: RBs: Avg: Pts: Avg NBA career Player Cartwright was the third overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft selected by the New York Knicks . As a member of the Knicks, he made his only NBA All-Star Game appearance in his rookie year of 1979-80. Cartwright averaged more than twenty points per game in his first two seasons for the Knicks. His playing time decrease... ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the outstanding basketball player who joined the Boston Celtics in the 1956-1957 season and led the team to eleven NBA championships in the thirteen years he played. ... Read more

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A BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN ACCOUNT OF THE NBA’S GLORY DAYS, AND THE RIVALRY THAT DOMINATED THE ERA

In the mid-1950s, the NBA was a mere barnstorming circuit, with outposts in such cities as Rochester, New York, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Most of the best players were white; the set shot and layup were the sport’s chief offensive weapons. But by the 1970s, the league ruled America’s biggest media markets; contests attracted capacity crowds and national prime-time television audiences. The game was played “above the rim”–and the most marketable of its high-flying stars were black. The credit for this remarkable transformation largely goes to two giants: Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.

In The Rivalry, award-winning journalist John Taylor projects the stories of Russell, Chamberlain, and other stars from the NBA’s golden age onto a backdrop of racial tensions and cultural change. Taylor’s electrifying account of two complex men–as well as of a game and a country at a crossroads–is an epic narrative of sports in America during the 1960s.

It’s hard to imagine two characters better suited to leading roles in the NBA saga: Chamberlain was cast as the athletically gifted yet mercurial titan, while Russell played the role of the stalwart centerpiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty. Taylor delves beneath these stereotypes, detailing how the two opposed and complemented each other and how they revolutionized the way the game was played and perceived by fans.

Competing with and against such heroes as Jerry West, Tom Heinsohn, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, and Elgin Baylor, and playing for the two greatest coaches of the era, Alex Hannum and the fiery Red Auerbach, Chamberlain and Russell propelled the NBA into the spotlight. But their off-court visibility and success–to say nothing of their candor–also inflamed passions along America’s racial and generational fault lines. In many ways, Russell and Chamberlain helped make the NBA and, to some extent, America what they are today.

Filled with dramatic conflicts and some of the great moments in sports history, and building to a thrilling climax–the 1969 final series, the last showdown between Russell and Chamberlain–The Rivalry has at its core a philosophical question: Can determination and a team ethos, embodied by the ultimate team player, Bill Russell, trump sheer talent, embodied by Wilt Chamberlain?

Gripping, insightful, and utterly compelling, the story of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain is the stuff of sporting legend. Written with a reporter’s unerring command of events and a storyteller’s flair, The Rivalry will take its place as one of the classic works of sports history.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

A great read, but accuracy is suspect
This appears to be a thorough, thoughtful examination of the Russell-Chamberlain rivalry and what it did for pro basketball (much as Bird-Magic would do years later), but its sloppiness makes its accuracy on any given anecdote suspect. Given that some of the inaccuracy involves some of the better-known, most easily researched moments -- mistakes that literally jump out for their amatuerishness -- I went from initially being fascinated by Taylor's compilation of behind-the-scenes insights to wondering whether I could trust any of it.

Here are some examples that came to mind as I read The Rivalry:

* Taylor's depiction of one of the most celebrated shots in NBA history, Don Nelson's desperation foul-line set shot that bounced freakishly high off the rim before falling through the net just as the Lakers were making their Game 7 comeback in 1969, is available from many film sources, and yet Taylor gets it all wrong. He say Keith Erickson "blocked a shot" and Nelson "recovered" the ball, when in fact, Erickson clearly reached from behind Havlicek in an attempt to steal the ball and poked it loose. The ball went directly to Nelson's hands some 10 feet away as if it were a pass (yet another freakish twist to the play) -- Nelson didn't "recover" the ball, he had it plop into his open hands like a gift from the basketball gods.

* Taylor correctly depicts Sam Jones' rattling game-winner triple-pick jumper on the "Ohio" play that pulled out Game 4 for the Celtics in the first telling, but later in the book refers to it as having happened in Game 5. Did anyone edit the book or even proof it? This is basic stuff, folks, and if you can't trust the simple things to be accurate, can you trust Taylor's accuracy on the more sophisticated events described in the book?

* For instance, Taylor goes into great detail about the injuries and strategies of both the Celtics and Lakers leading into the 1969 finals, yet leaves out one of the most crucial factors and a pretty well-documented one: Although Havlicek had been the team's famed Sixth Man throughout his career to that point, Russell moved him into the starting lineup for that series because he felt the Celtics needed to get off to faster starts. That, more than anything, may have made the difference in the series because in most of those games the Celtics jumped out to early big leads and put the Lakers in the position of constantly having to play catchup. The psychological implications of this dynamic can't be overstated, as the Lakers (and Wilt, with the exception of 1967) had perpetually lost to the Celtics and to trail early in most of the championship games had to reinforce likely presumptions that once again the Celtics couldn't be beaten.

As I say, these are just simple, obvious things that jumped out as I read -- and things any reasonable student of the game should have gotten right. I'd like to think they're just minor dumb oversights, but I can't help but wonder if the rest of the so-called facts in this book are as dubious.

The book is a good read -- I just don't trust it.

The Irresistable Force Vs. the Immovable Object
There have been many head-to-head rivalries in professional sports, but perhaps none has been so compelling as the NBA rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.In "The Rivalry", author John Taylor examines the battles between the two superstars that helped put pro basketball on the map of American sports.

The book recalls the paths that Russell and Chamberlain took to the NBA, and details how different the league was in the 1950s and 1960s.Stars in the league had different lives than pro basketball players do today, and Taylor recounts developments that in time changed the league, such as the civil rights movement, television contracts, and conflicts between the players' union and the owners.

Taylor describes Chamberlain's 100-point game, the many playoff battles between Russell's Boston Celtics and Chamberlain's squads, and some of the playoff battles that the Celtics had with some of the other noteworthy teams of the era such as the St. Louis Hawks and the pre-Wilt Los Angeles Lakers.Chamberlain was notorious for feuding with his coaches, and the author recalls many of those incidents.Russell, on the other hand, had a positive force on the chemistry of his teams, and won many more championships.

This well-researched book is a first-rate history of the NBA of the Fifties and Sixties.

Russell-Chamberlain
Pretty straightforward but it did bring me back to my youth loving Russell and hating Wilt.A fair amount of good information.

A fascinating look at Russell, Chamberlain and the NBA
Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, two giants of the NBA, first competed against each other on Nov. 3, 1959.They would go head-to-head many more times over the next decade, which author John Taylor dubs "The Golden Age of Basketball."

The study of Russell and Chamberlain, two very different personalities and competitors, is fascinating.Their matchups were classic and helped shape play in the NBA.Russell and Chamberlain collided for the first time, just five years after the 24-second clock was introduced and the NBA was known for its "blood and thunder" style play.

While Chamberlain was recruited by 200 colleges, Russell, a late bloomer, received one college offer.Celtics coach Red Auerbach told Russell to focus on defense and not to worry about how many points he scored.Chamberlain, on the other hand, was obsessed by his scoring.Although he possessed a prickly personality, Russell was much more coachable and team-oriented than Chamberlain.Wilt was constantly clashing with his coaches.Russell earned the "winner" label, while Chamberlain was forever known as a "loser." Chamberlain's offense wasn't nearly as influential to the game or his team's performance as Russell's defense was.Russell focused on blocked shots and rebounds.He changed the game from layups to outside shooting, screens and picks.

The seventh game of the NBA championships in 1969 exemplifies the difference between Russell and Chamberlain.Taylor excitingly recreates the playoff battles between the Lakers and Celtics.

Besides Russell and Chamberlain, Taylor presents interesting profiles of Auerbach, Butch Van Breda Kolff, Alex Hannum, Bob Cousy, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and several other key figures of the era.

Taylor's coverage of the formation of the players' union and the possible All-Star boycott in 1964 also is interesting.

Very Impartial Accunt Of These Guys
What I most appreciated about this book was the objectivity of the author John Taylor.You don't find this often this day: a totally unbiased account of people.Here, we see the good and bad of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Red Auerbach along with other notables of the 1950s and 1960s NBA.

Taylor simply points out the things that happened to Wilt, Russ, Bob Cousy, Jerry West, Tom Heinsohn and others, letting us - the reader - make up our own minds about these people.One thing for sure: you never get a boring account of anything that happened or was said by guys like Chamerberlain and Auerbach.Some of things those two did were unbelievable!

Almost all the stories in here are amazing and even if you think you know a lot about these famous basketball players, you'll be surprised at all the new inside information provided in this book - all of it very interesting and impartial. ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player (MVP) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) award given since the 1955?56 NBA season. The winner receives the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, which is named in honor of the first commissioner (then president)[a] of the NBA who served from 1946 until his retirement in 1963. MVP voting takes place immediately following the regular season. Until the 1979?80 NBA season, the MVP was originally selected by a vote of NBA players. However, since the 1980?81 NBA season, the award is decided by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Voting is conducted by 125 members of the media; three from each of the 30 cities in which NBA teams are located and the rest a mix of national writers and broadcasters. Since the 1982?83 season, every player who has won the award has played for a team with at least 50 regular-season wins (except for Karl Malone in the lockout-shortened 1998?99 season, in which the regular season was only 50 games long). ... Read more

Product Description
Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Michael Jordan, Ray Allen, Bill Russell, Shaquille O'neal, Gary Payton, Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, Adrian Dantley, Mitch Richmond, Magic Johnson, Clyde Drexler, Chris Mullin, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Scottie Pippen, Emanuel Ginóbili, Patrick Ewing, Sergei Belov, David Robinson, Larry Brown, Krešimir Ćosić, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Alonzo Mourning, Luis Scola, Reggie Miller, Allan Houston, John Stockton, Larry Bird, Grant Hill, Rimas Kurtinaitis, Arvydas Sabonis, Dražen Dalipagić, Steve Smith, Oscar Robertson, Penny Hardaway, Alvin Robertson, Juan Ignacio Sánchez, Vin Baker, Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Jerry West, Joe Kleine, Clyde Lovellette, Aleksandr Volkov, Rajko Žižić, Andrés Nocioni, Antonio Mcdyess, Mirza Delibašić, Phil Ford, Zoran Slavnić, Modestas Paulauskas, Steve Alford, Gennadi Volnov, Ratko Radovanović, Fabricio Oberto, Jeff Turner, Dragan Kicanović, Hugo Sconochini, Walter Davis, Bob Boozer, Michael Redd, Alex Groza, Vern Fleming, Jon Koncak, Carlos Delfino, Wayman Tisdale, K.c. Jones, Aljan Jarmoukhamedov, Walt Bellamy, Joe Caldwell, Frank Lubin, Sam Perkins, Terry Dischinger, Adrian Smith, Wálter Herrmann, Alejandro Montecchia, Valdemaras Chomičius, Bill Bradley, Christian Laettner, George Wilson, Leonardo Gutiérrez, Vince Boryla, Mitch Kupchak, Leon Wood, Jo Jo White, Gabriel Fernández, Ralph Beard, Lucious Jackson, Tim Hardaway, Aleksandr Belov, Jerry Lucas, Rubén Wolkowyski. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : Michael Jeffrey Jordan, né le 17 février 1963 dans le borough de Brooklyn à New York, est un joueur de basket-ball américain ayant évolué dans le championnat nord-américain professionnel de basket-ball, la (NBA), de 1984 à 2003. Selon la...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

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A New York Knick talks about basketball, his life, and being cool. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

FINALLY back in print!


This review is of the new 2010 edition of Rockin' Steady:

Rockin' Steady really defies description, but anyone who has ever laid eyes on the original book has never forgotten it. Walt Frazier remains one of the coolest players in NBA history, and this book was written back in 1974 during his days with the Knicks. For a long time, the only way to get this book was to pay a fortune for it on eBay, but now it's back in print, thank god.
I'm not sure if "Clyde" was the blueprint for characters like Shaft, but looking at the photos in this book makes you think he might have been. Mink coat, Rolls Royce, a circular bed with a mirrored ceiling - Clyde definitely was stylin' and profilin' back in the day.
The subtitle of the book is "A Guide to Basketball and Cool," and you definitely get both. There is tons of interesting insight on guys Walt played with and against, like Earl Monroe, Jerry West, and Pistol Pete, plus good tips and strategies. There is also an equal amount of advice on how to build a wardrobe, how to brush your mustache, how to pick the right girl, how to catch a fly in midair - yes, you read that right - and lots more. It is a wild ride and an amazing piece of NBA memorabilia and a document of 1970s culture.
It seems like everything from the original version is here, including the color illustrations and vintage photographs, plus a new foreword by Ira Berkow and a new afterword by Clyde himself. HIGHLY recommended - if you like 70s style or the NBA, you need to own this book.

A man in complete control of his life
Along with "Wilt; Just Like Any Other 7-foot Black Millionaire Who Lives Next Door," this is among the funniest sports books ever written. In it, we learn, inter alia, how Mr. Frazier prefers to keep the interior of his home ("dark, like a nightclub"), how Mr. Frazier washes his face (alternating hot and cold washcloths), how Mr. Frazier catches flies with his bare hands (illustrations included!) and how Mr. Frazier once caught a full beer glass in mid-fall without spilling a drop.

Recommended.

Hilariously self-centered
Walt Frazier is a man in complete control of every aspect of his life.

In this book you learn:

How he washes his face (alternating hot and cold water).

About his apartment's lighting scheme ("dark, like a nightclub").

How to catch a fly in midair (employ your flexor-extensor muscles; Walt includes a sketch with this topic.)

Along with "Wilt: Just Like Any Other 7-Foot Black Millionaire Who Lives Next Door," this is one of the funniest sports books ever published. ... Read more

Product Description
In this invaluable book, Bill Russell shares the insights, the memories, and most important, the essential "rules of success" that influenced him in every aspect of his life, from raising a daughter as a single father to becoming a successful coach and mentor to others. Filled with personal and professional stories of his days playing with Celtic greats Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, Sam Jones, and coach Red Auerbach, Russell Rules offers inspiring lessons on commitment, personal integrity, teamwork, and success.

"A true champion and a genuine hero."(Bryant Gumbel)

"A person of great character, great integrity." (Jim Brown)

"That rare public figure who is even larger in life, close up, than he is from a distance. [Russell] has that rare quality of authenticity." (Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation)Amazon.com Review
There are those who would argue that Bill Russell was the greatestbasketball player ever, not because of his physical talents so much as hisability to lead and work within a team. Recently, Russell has been aregular on the lecture circuit, helping businesses understand howto take the principles of "Celtic Pride" and apply it to their corporatecultures and customer relations. In Russell Rules, he breaks downsthe qualities that helped to earn him 11 NBA championships into 11leadership lessons that should enlighten just about anyone, including managers,entrepreneurs, and educators. --Harry C. Edwards ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Team, leadership and accountability
Bill Russell became a sports icon with reason. He is an original, with more championships than any other team player as evidenced by his recognition in being named the 20th century's greatest team player by Sports Illustrated and HBO called him the greatest winner in the 20th century. He was the 1st African American to coach a professional sports team and won two championships as a player/coach without even an assistant coach. He won championships in the NCAA, the Olympics and an NBA championship â" all in the same year (1956).

The book, RUSSELL RULES is a collection of basketball and personal examples from Russell's career. The balance between sports, business and personal integrity is clear, easy to follow and is genuinely interesting, whether one likes sports or not.

The 11 lessons address commitment, team decision processes, accountability, change, discipline, the need for the desire to win and a number of aehow-to business examples

Russell has not been an active part of the Celtics in recent years, but in a 2008 televised interview with the current center, Kevin Garnett, one could hear that his public words of counsel and planning reflected what must have been said in private between the two men of different generations. Russell expressed that he felt the current Celtic team could win two or three championships if they played as a team, but that Russell would share one of his rings with Garnett if that did not happen. After the 39 point blow-out final victory over the favored opponents, Garnett on camera hugged Russell and expressed that he hoped Russell felt the current Celtics had done their best.

Those exchanges were meaningful to me as part of team, leadership and accountability in every day examples of life.

The book epilogue has an outstanding message " making aeCELTIC PRIDE work for you. I urge you to read this resource and enjoy!

Feel free to share an idea at [...] anytime or contact me regarding consulting, customized workshops or speaking engagements"

Tons of great, valuable, valuable lessons
Wonderful book. Each of the the lessons were well-worded and invaluable. The analogies he made to his basketball career were entirely on-point and made his lessons that much easier to comprehend. Lots of great things to be learned in this book, and I feel blessed to have been able to read it.

Winning Rules
Bill Russell is a consummate winner. He won 11 NBA championships in 13 years - an incredible and unprecedented feat. He won a total of 18 championships in the 21 years he played basketball. When Russell talks about leadership it would be absolutely crazy not to listen intently.

Russell seeks to demystify the Celtic mystique, outlining the characteristics that propelled the team to greatness during his tenure. The rules translate equally well from sports to business and to our personal lives.

The rules are grounded in teamwork. Russell valued teamwork over individual achievement, because it was required to win. He wouldn't let anything get in the way of winning. Most of the rules are not new - personal integrity, listening, commitment - but Russell gives his own spin on them. He injects new ideas and experiences to back them up.

If you are a basketball fan you will be impressed by Russell's cerebral approach to the game. He was in constant learning mode, working tirelessly to find new and better ways to frustrate and dominate his opponents. You don't have to have in depth knowledge of the sport, though, to enjoy and learn from this one. You will be inspired as well. To quote rule #11, "Everyone can win... wherever you are in life, whatever you are doing, now is the time to begin working. This is exactly the right moment to begin seeing yourself as a winner."

Nick McCormick, Author - Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager

Long in parts, but worthy.
My father loved Bill Russell, and given my fathers unique outlook on life, I felt compelled to read Russell Rules. Given the temperament of the era, it's almost refreshing to read of Russell's arrogance. His defiance was in direct correlation to his dignity. If more African American males approached life with the arrogant precision of Bill Russell, the plight of young American minority males would be different. "I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrates a never-ending commitment to act until they achieve." Truer words have never been spoken. Bill Russell may have been arrogant, but he consistently conveys a message of hardwork, dedication and delayed gratificaion. And he was right when he said, "Winning is an acquired habit, when you win over a long period of time, there are a couple of words you throw out: LUCK & ACCIDENT." Unfortunately, although I admire the man and his methods, the book was a bit repetitive and self-obsessed in parts and generally too long. And while I ended up highlighting and underlining several passages throughout the book, I felt at times, forced to trudge through certain sections; thus, my conservative rating.

Rules To Live A Better Life
I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Russell when he was on a brief book-signing tour that made a stop in Cleveland, Ohio.

I never saw him play pro basketball, but his life has not been defined by the success he had as a player and coach. Russell is a champion in the game of life, with a very small part found on the parquet floor.

Russell Rules is not some book for people simply striving for success in the corporate world. The rules Russell defines can be applied to any facet of life. We all can be better leaders in the things that we do.

From personal relationships, school and work, Russell succinctly provides 11 rules as a guide. His game plan includes commitment; being an active listener; encouraging trust, truthfulness and mutual-reliance; using the imagination to design new & better ways to enhance performance and seeking perfection & encouraging it in others, while having joy in what you are doing.

The book may initially be a quick read, but it will be picked up time and again in the future. And doesn't that define a book with a "winning" message?



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Product Description

As a student of life and basketball, as a basketball player and coach, as an African-American, a businessman, a lecturer, and a man, Bill Russell projects the same single image of a man committed to understanding, improvement, and teamwork in the constant pursuit of new and ever-greater heights. And as his 2 NCAA titles, his Olympic gold medal, and his 11 NBA championships clearly show, the heights towards which Bill Russell most often strove were athletic, and in these athletic contests he was rarely to be denied. As a coach—the first black coach in NBA history—and general manager in his later days, Russell still maintained this same ability to utilize all of the resources available in order to construct a winning entity, and it is because of this very ability that he was later able to captivate lecture audiences from behind a podium. Bill Russell remains a compelling subject for anyone interested in the constitution and development of a champion.

This book also includes a thorough bibliography of print and electronic sources to aid further research. A timeline plots the key events in Russell's life and career.

Customer Reviews (2)

Biography written mainly for children or adolescents
This Bio of one of the greatest sportsmen ever to step onto a hardwood floor is well written, but clearly aims at children for a reading audience. Too much time goes into explaining obvious historical knowledge like the fact that back in the fifties races were seperate.
I anticipated a biography written by somebody else than Bill himself (who wrote three autobiographies), but this book doesn't live up to my expectations

a good primer about a fascinating man (Bill Russell)
Like just about all new books, this book is "pricey."That is the only reason I did not give it a 5-star rating.[CAVEAT:I freely admit that I am biased.For several reasons, I like Bill Russell.]

"Bill Russell, a Biography" is well-written and concise.It contains a great deal of basic information about Russell's youth and about Russell as a basketball player.To say that Russell "revolutionized" professional basketball is not an overstatement.Standing 6-feet, 9-inches tall and being able to high-jump over 6 and 1/2 feet should be illegal, yet Russell could do this.He was also extremely fast.However, even sheer, raw talent like Russell had would have been wasted had he not been an extremely diligent student of the game.

I wish the book had contained more about Russell as a man, for this is what interests me about him.The book touches on his moral failures and his self-doubts (which, of course, proves that he is human!).Yet I had hoped for more.(I would love to meet him and talk to him about anything EXCLUDING basketball.He seems like a fascinating man.)

I also wish it contained more about Russell's career-albeit, a short career-as a TV "basketball analyst," for he was a superb communicator.I always enjoyed watching a game he was doing, for he had so much insight into the game, and he could share that insight with the viewers in a light-hearted, fun way.

The author makes 2 glaring mistakes in the book: (1)While it is true that Malcolm X became a member of the Nation of Islam (NOI), he did not convert to "Islam" (that is, Orthodox Islam) until later in life. (2)Ali-formerly called Cassius Clay-likewise became a member of the NOI, yet the NOI is not "Islam" (again, Orthodox Islam).

To sum the 2 glaring errors: the NOI does NOT practice Orthodox Islam.

The book is a good primer about a fascinating man, IMO.
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Product Description

Red Auerbach was one of the greatest basketball coaches in sports history. Bill Russell was the star center and five-time MVP for Auerbach's Celtics, and together they won eleven championships in thirteen years. But Auerbach and Russell were far more than just coach and player. A short, brash Jew from Brooklyn and a tall, intense African-American from Louisiana and Oakland, the men formed a friendship that evolved into a rare, telling example of deep male camaraderie even as their feelings remained largely unspoken.

Customer Reviews (26)

VERY NICE AND EASY TO READ
BILL RUSSELL DOES A NICE AND INTERESTING JOB IN THIS BOOK. HE TELLS US OF HIS RELATIONSHIP AND THEN FRIENDSHIP WITH FORMER COACH RED AUERBACH. THEY HAD SIMILAR CHACTERISTICS BRASH, COCKY, ABRASIVE AND DRIVEN. RED LEARNED HOW TO MAKE RUSSELL A WEAPON BY NOT CHANGING HIS STYLE OF PLAY. HE ALSO KNEW HE HAD A GREAT PLAYER AND HE MADE SURE HE STAYED ON HIS GOOD SIDE BY GIVING HIM SPECIAL TREATMENT AND KISSING HIS BEHIND. RUSSELL DOES A GOOD JOB DESCRIBING RED AND WHAT MADE HIM TICK. THE BOOK IS EASY TO READ AND WORTH THE TIME. TOO BAD THERE WASN'T MORE CONTENT. I DO RECOMMEND THIS FOR CELTIC AND FANS FAMILIAR WITH THE CELTIC DYNASTY DURING THE AUERBACH AND RUSSELL ERA.

Terrific, terrific book
This is a terrific book by Bill Russell.I think this is a "must read" book about what it means to be a friend, and what it means to be a man.You would think these are trivial topics that everyone already knows about, but they're not.After reading this book I bought a copy for all my med school buddies that I've known now for 10 years.

A private man
It is strange to hear someone say that he has only a limited number of friends, and before he takes on another, one might have to be dropped. But the look at the friendship and professional relationship of these two is fascinating. One can only imagine present day teams reaction to letting the star drink tea, while his teammates practice. Brilliant men getting along.

Great read
This is a must read for any sports fan, great story and a fast read.

Beautiful and inspiring
I LOVED this book. My boyfriend is a lifelong Celtics fan so I bought it for him, but decided to read it before giving it to him. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. It's easy reading, and pure delight. It's so rare to see athletes and celebrities with the kind of integrity and character displayed by both Russell and Auerbach, and it's unlikely they'll be a pairing quite like them again. This is a not just an inspiration for sports fans, but for anyone who appreciates the true meaning of team work, friendship, commitment, and respect. It's also filled with wonderful anecdotes - often humorous, touching, and educational.If you know a Celtics fan, this makes a priceless gift. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Second Wind
I bought this book for my husband so it's hard for me to comment on it other than he was absolutely thrilled that I could find a copy of it and it wasn't to expensive.

Great Memoir
This is a highly entertaining, funny, and tightly written memoir.Anyone interested in ghostwriting should read this book.Taylor Branch does a wonderful job with structure, with each chapter reading like a thematic essay, rather than a chronological depiction of events.I couldn't put the book down.

Russell is a wily and stubborn yet unconventionally thoughtful persona.Russell was an avid student and his opinions, while unorthodox, make a lot of sense, and thus are very humorous.His qualms with the idolization of sports stars, for example, manifest in funny anecdotes about fans seeking autographs and Red Auerbach trying to retire his jersey.And though Russell tries to depict his life in unromatntic terms - the final scene is of him giving up his clim of Mt Ranier - his story is inspirational.The path he takes from rural, segregated Louisiana - where his peers believe in ghosts - to media superstar is dramatic.

My favorite section in the book is the part where Russell describes Sam Jones's ability to take over a game, but Jones's refusal to do it very often.Jones didn't want the responsibility, he says, which confuses his teammates.The juxtaposition of Jones's great abilities to his listless and uncooperative sides was captivating.This is by far the best sports memoirs, and one of the best memoirs period, I've ever read.

an excellent inside of a perfect basketball game
Bill Russell takes you way inside to experience what playing in the NBA is all about when it works to the best it's able.A super fine book.I am glad it surfaced again in my archives.You really get the FEEL aboutplaying a perfect game, especially as a TEAM.

Every athelete should read it, it's a great book about life.
This book is about life and the determination it takes to make it. It's funny yet it made me cry.It takes a boy from humble beginings to being on top of the world.

A book about life, its pleasures and pains. A great read
Bill Russell writes as he played; with controversy and excellence.As an N.B.A. All-Star and 11-time world champion, he knows about life and transfers this knowledge to the pages of his book. This is a book about life's victories and defeats and how to deal with them. Russell is entertaining, candid and controversial.He says what he thinks and has a great philosophy of life. This book was written in 1979, but is even more important today, as we are besieged with athletes with big salaries and even bigger egos. This book reveals a social as well as athletic history.If you can find a copy, it is well worth the reading. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Many great players have done amazing things in basketball and Bill Russell was one of the greatest.His amazing skills both on and off the court are explored in this exciting biography.Learn how his perseverance and unique qualities continue to set examples today.Readers will be inspired to learn how Bill Russell overcame adversity and hardships, while making his mark in the world of sports. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

great readthe ultimate Winner and Champion
the NBA Finals MVP Award is gonna be named after the Great Bill Russell and this book details his Genius on and off the court. he has left a lasting mark of excellence that is timeless. this book deals with the many social marks he made on and off the court. he is a Classy Man and a Man of Great Knowledge and wisdom that has touched many lives. a Giant amongest Giants. ... Read more

Product Description
Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Bill Russell, Jānis Krūmiņš, K. C. Jones, Carlos Loyzaga, Viktor Zubkov, Stasys Stonkus, Ron Tomsic, Kazys Petkevičius, Yuri Ozerov, Maigonis Valdmanis, Valdis Muižnieks, Eduardo Lim, Algodão, Luis Salvadores Salvi, Nelson Demarco, Héctor Costa, Burdette Haldorson, Sergio Matto, Bill Hougland, Jim Walsh, George Stulac, Robert Jeangerard, Charles Darling, Richard Boushka, Carlos Blixen, Nelson Chelle, Raúl Mera, Oscar Moglia, William Evans, Carl Cain, Gilbert Ford. Source: Wikipedia. Free updates online. Not illustrated. Excerpt: William Felton "Bill" Russell (born February 12, 1934) is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A five-time winner of the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and a twelve-time All-Star, Russell was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won eleven NBA Championships during Russell's thirteen-year career. Along with Henri Richard of the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens, Russell holds the record for the most championships won by an athlete in a North American sports league. Before his professional career, Russell led the University of San Francisco to two consecutive NCAA championships (1955, 1956). He also won a gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics as captain of the U.S. national basketball team. Russell is widely considered one of the best players in NBA history. Listed as between 6'9" (2.06 m) and 6'10" (2.08 m), Russell's shot-blocking and man-to-man defense were major reasons for the Celtics' success. He also inspired his teammates to elevate their own defensive play. Russell was equally notable for his rebounding abilities. He led the NBA in rebounds four times and tallied 21,620 total rebounds in his career. He is one of just two NBA players...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=412214 ... Read more