Ever Green The Boston Celtics: A History in the Words of Their Players, Coaches, Fans and Foes, from 1946 to the Present [Paperback]

Dan Shaughnessy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1991

Now in paperback, Ever Green captures in words and vintage photos the special mystique of basketball's greatest dynasty and celebrated its forty-five years of existence. Ever Green recounts the complete story of the Celtics, from the troubled early years through their amazing string of championships to the triumphs--and low moments--of the 1970s and 80s.

Dan Shaughnessy records the team's history in the voice of eveyrone from its stars and coaches to the beloved benchwarmers, the Celtic fans, and rival players. Those interview include Bob Cousy, Satch Sanders, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Tom Heinsohn, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, M.L. Carr, Gene Conley, Hank Finkel, Kevin Mchale, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, and Red Auerbach.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From 1959 to 1966 the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association won eight consecutive championships, a record unduplicated in any sport. That story, as well as others in Beantown's record of hoop supremacy, is well told in this fast-moving and readable volume by Boston Globe sportswriter Shaughnessy. He begins and ends with Red Auerbach, who put the organization together and stressed team play, and details the contributions of stars Bob Cousy, Bill Russell, John Havlicek and Larry Bird, emphasizing the players' willingness to put winning ahead of individual statistics. Shaugnessy demolishes the charge that the Celtics are basketball's "white team," pointing out that Boston was the first franchise to field five black players simultaneously and the first to have a black coach. Photos not seen by PW . (Oct).
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The Celtics own the most National Basketball Association titles (16), regularly sell out at home, and have a stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Shaughnessy, a Boston Globe reporter, lets mentor Red Auerbach and others tell through anecdotes about the success and mystique of the team and its fabled Boston Garden. Ever Green will draw comparison with Bob Ryan's heavily photographic The Boston Celtics ( LJ 11/15/89). Shaughnessy's more up-to-date and smoother narrative belongs in Celtics territory libraries and extensive collections, but others can stick with Ryan.
- Morey Berger, formerly with Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (November 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312063482
• ISBN-13: 978-0312063481
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,496,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book!, May 30, 2000

By 

Jerry - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ever Green The Boston Celtics: A History in the Words of Their Players, Coaches, Fans and Foes, from 1946 to the Present (Paperback)

This book can best be described as an extremely long Boston Globe article on the Celtics by Dan Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy covers many tidbits in the book. Many interesting things about the old Boston Garden, Red Auerbach, and the team. Overall, an excellent read for a new Celtics fan (old ones as well).

3.0 out of 5 stars Quick read, interesting, too short, August 25, 2008

By 

Chris "Bostonian at heart" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ever Green The Boston Celtics: A History in the Words of Their Players, Coaches, Fans and Foes, from 1946 to the Present (Paperback)

Dan Shaughnessy is a skilled writer with an endless knowledge of Boston sports, so this Celtics history, written nearly 20 years ago, is a fun, fast read with some interesting tidbits and quotes. But he told the entire history of the NBA's most storied franchise in less than 250 pages, and it just wasn't sufficient.

This book had been sitting in my book case for about 15 years, and as a lifelong Celtics fan looking for a light read, I finally decided to pick it up. And I'm glad I did. Shaughnessy provided some good anecdotes about the early years of the Celtics franchise and how he managed to land Bob Cousy and Bill Russell. There were also some great quotes from Auerbach, Cousy, Heinsohn, Havlicek, Bird, etc.

The problem was, I wanted more. Shaughnessy's "Curse of the Bambino," a history of the Red Sox, was also a little too short, but there were far fewer big games to describe. The Celtics had won 16 championships when this book was written, and the book was begging for more info on some of the critical series, games and moments.

So as an overview of the Celtics for those with limited knowledge of the team's history, the book is pretty good. It's an enjoyable read. But for a big Celtics fan looking to experience the major moments of the 1960s and 70s, this will barely quench your thirst.

4.0 out of 5 stars A NICE READ ABOUT THE CELTIC DYNASTY, April 11, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Ever Green The Boston Celtics: A History in the Words of Their Players, Coaches, Fans and Foes, from 1946 to the Present (Paperback)

THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BOSTON CELTICS. IT IS NOT GREATLY DETAILED BUT IT IS A MUST READ FOR ALL CELTIC AND BASKETBALL FANS. IT COVERS A SEASON BY SEASON LOOK AT ALL THE CHAMPIONSHIP YEARS AND HOW THE TEAMS WERE OUT TOGETHER. THE AUTHOR GIVE US AN OVERALL VIEW OF HOW THE TEAM WAS FOUNDED AND ALOT OF INFO CONCERNING RED AUERBACH. ALSO SOME OF THE LEAN YEARS ARE COVERED ALONG WITH SOME STORIES TOLD BY EX-PLAYERS AND COACHES CONCERNING THE CELTIC DYNASTY. VERY RECOMENDED