The Greatest Basketball Story Ever Told, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Milan Miracle [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

Greg L. Guffey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 2003

"Nothing in basketball beats Hoosier Hysteria, and this true-life Cinderella story of the 1954 Milan Indians has it all—courage, heart, suspense, and triumph. Greg Guffey brings the team and its championship odyssey to life again in this action-packed book. A great read!" —Digger Phelps

With the release of the movie Hoosiers starring Gene Hackman, the whole world discovered the "Milan Miracle." The true story of the Milan miracle is even better, and Greg Guffey tells it here in graphic and gripping detail. Here we get to know the real Coach Marvin Wood and the remarkable group of high school players who defeated mighty Muncie Central. In his new introduction, Guffey talks about the switch to class basketball in Indiana and the legacy of this story for the town and for the legendary team.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As this compelling combination of sports history and sociological insight lucidly demonstrates, there is no more inspirational story than David K.O.-ing Goliath." -Kliatt "This nostalgia-filled account of a special time and event-however small-makes enjoyable reading for all hoop fans." -Booklist "In tracing the Milan squad's progress through its tournament rounds, Guffey is able to convey not only the unique attachment of a town to a team but also a state to a sport. In so doing, he provides a wistful look back at rural life in the nation's midlands... It is a tale worth retelling, especially for those already hooked on Hoosier Hysteria." --Library Journal "Nothing in basketball beats Hoosier Hysteria, and this true-life Cinderella story of the 1954 Milan Indians has it all-courage, heart, suspense, and triumph. Greg Guffey brings the team and its championship odyssey to life again in this action-packed book. A great read!" --Digger Phelps

About the Author

Greg Guffey, Director of Publications and Technology for the Indiana House of Representatives, is author of More than a Game, a history of basketball in Henry County, Indiana. He lives in Indianapolis.

Bob Hammel was for many years Sports Editor for the Herald-Times in Bloomington, Indiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; 50th Anniversary Edition edition (August 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253216311
• ISBN-13: 978-0253216311
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #364,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sports drama brought to life in the pages of a great book, March 6, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Greatest Basketball Story Ever Told, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Milan Miracle (Paperback)

...can there be any better way to spend a few hours of reading time?

I have seen other positive reviews of Mr. Guffey's book: they are well-deserved!

"The Milan Miracle" is one of those sports legacies as big as the world of sports itself. To think that the characters Mr. Guffey writes about are real--and to know that the story he tells actually happened--makes this book an even more compelling read.

With the arrival of the 50th anniversary of this milestone sports event comes another occasion to remind ourselves of the sheer joy provided by the greatest all-American game!

Perhaps it is the fact that I live in Indiana that I can relate to this book's underlying themes of fundamental human emotion: through the telling of this true David-and-Goliath story (and a fast-forward to the lessons learned in the meantime), we encounter the doubt, the disbelief, the sheer grace of high school sports the way it existed 50 years ago.

If this book merely retold the tale in order to wax eloquent about the 1950's as a "time of innocence," I could not recommend it as highly.

But here is a story that's more than a story...it's a history of a simpler time when the values of hard work, perseverance and dogged determination could carry a small-town kid to the pinnacle of achievement.

Most importantly, Mr. Guffey's book provides the encouragement that these values still exist--and are worthy of pursuit.

There is much to be said in favor of Mr. Guffey's writing style. There is an underlying respect for the characters in this book. Having seen some of the recent ESPN coverage of the 50th anniversary ceremonies, it is evident that many of the individuals Mr. Guffey interviewed are from social backgrounds as varied as their Hoosier drawls. Whether conveying the voices of the townspeople or the Milan players themselves, Mr. Guffey writes with a real respect for the characters. It's an important element of his obvious respect for the "Milan Miracle" and high school basketball in general.

I look forward to Mr. Guffey's next work!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars JM, November 24, 2008

By 

John S. Mcdonnell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Greatest Basketball Story Ever Told, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Milan Miracle (Paperback)

Bought this book because I saw Bob Hammel's name attached to it. Turns out Mr. Hammel only wrote the introduction, but the book was terrific. Anyone who has seen the movie "Hoosiers", or grew up on Indiana high school basketball, will love this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Basketball Story Every Told, July 20, 2011

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SGTRET - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Greatest Basketball Story Ever Told, 50th Anniversary Edition: The Milan Miracle (Paperback)

If you grew up in the early 50s you will love this book. If you are a basketball lover, this book is for you. Excellent story and tells the story of life in the 50s through sports.