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Wish It Lasted Forever: Life with the Larry Bird Celtics Hardcover – November 16, 2021

by Dan Shaughnessy (Author)
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From award-winning Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy, an “entertaining” (The Wall Street Journal) and nostalgia-filled retelling of the 1980s Boston Celtics’ glory years, which featured the sublime play of NBA legend Larry Bird.

Today the NBA is a vast global franchise—a billion-dollar industry seen by millions of fans in the United States and abroad. But it wasn’t always this successful. Before primetime ESPN coverage, lucrative branding deals like Air Jordans, and $40 million annual player salaries, there was the NBA of the 1970s and 1980s—when basketball was still an up-and-coming sport featuring old school beat reporters and players who wore Converse All-Stars.

Enter Dan Shaughnessy, then the beat reporter for The Boston Globe who covered the Boston Celtics every day from 1982 to 1986. It was a time when reporters travelled with professional teams—flying the same commercial airlines, riding the same buses, and staying in the same hotels. Shaughnessy knew the athletes as real people, losing free throw bets to Larry Bird, being gifted cheap cigars by the iconic coach Red Auerbach, and having his one-year-old daughter Sarah passed from player to player on a flight from Logan to Detroit Metro.

Drawing on unprecedented access and personal experiences that would not be possible for any reporter today, Shaughnessy takes us inside the legendary Larry Bird-led Celtics teams, capturing the camaraderie as they dominated the NBA. Fans can witness the cockiness of Larry Bird (who once walked into an All-Star Weekend locker room, announced that he was going to win the three-point contest, and did); the ageless athleticism of Robert Parish; the shooting skills of Kevin McHale; the fierce, self-sacrificing play of Bill Walton; and the playful humor of players like Danny Ainge, Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell, and M.L. Carr.

For any fan who longs to return—for just a few hours—to those magical years when the Boston Garden rocked and the winner’s circle was mostly colored Boston Green, Wish It Lasted Forever is a masterful tribute to “the Celtics from 1982–1986 [that] is so good even fervent Celtics haters will have trouble putting it down” (New York Post).
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Scribner
  4. Publication date
    November 16, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1982169974
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1982169978
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

Wish It Lasted Forever

Wish It Lasted Forever

Wish It Lasted Forever

Wish It Lasted Forever

Wish It Lasted Forever

Editorial Reviews

Review

Boston Globe Bestseller

“Colorful, fast-paced . . . Wish It Lasted Forever packs the stat sheet with entertainment from the Celtics’ glory years: Shaughnessy always leads the league in shots taken, but here he also provides plenty of rebounds, assists, and stolen laughter. Wish It Lasted Forever is an insider’s look into the outmoded culture of the game.”
—The Boston Globe

“It would be nearly impossible for me to get more from a book…Wish It Lasted Forever is a juicy, dishy, fun, insightful read on the 1980s Celtics. Love it, love it, love it.”
—Jeff Pearlman, author of Showtime and The Bad Guys Won!

"What happens when a legacy writer travels with a legacy team in the golden age of access? This is a tour de force by Dan Shaughnessy. I devoured it in one flight to L.A. Attention Christmas shoppers—just a tremendous book."
—Ian O'Connor, columnist for the New York Post, and author of Belichick, The Captain, and Arnie and Jack

"In Wish It Lasted Forever, Mr. Shaughnessy seemingly empties out his old notebooks. Fortunately, they’re good notebooks, and the book is an entertaining read."
—Ben Yagoda, Wall Street Journal

“Ought to be high on your list…Dan Shaughnessy’s memoir of covering the Celtics from 1982-86 is so good even fervent Celtics haters will have trouble putting it down.”
—New York Post

"Take a seat on the bus, kids, with Larry and Kevin, Chief and Max, DJ and K.C., and Danny and Red and Bill Walton, too. Wish It Lasted Forever is retro gold. This is a special book about a special time. Terrific.”
—Leigh Montville, former Senior Writer at Sports Illustrated

"Throughout, the author is amiable and self-effacing, but the best parts of his book are the you-are-there accounts…Often funny, Shaughnessy’s book offers considerable insight into the making of a winning team in the hands of players who some consider to be the greatest in the history of the game. A treat for fans of the old Boston Celtics and for roundball fans generally."
—Kirkus Reviews

“This is the story of a great team, rendered in an immersive style. It’s also a writer’s coming of age story. Looking back on that team and time, it was Bill Walton who said, ‘I wish it lasted forever.’ He was speaking for the scribe as well.”
—Bob Costas, 28-time Emmy Award-winning sportscaster

"The best books are built on great reporting, great access, and great writing—access often being the toughest part of the equation. Dan Shaughnessy's new book has it all. Enjoy it."
—John Feinstein, New York Times bestselling author of A Season on the Brink and coauthor, with Red Auerbach, of Let Me Tell You a Story

“In Dan Shaughnessy’s wonderful book you will encounter exchanges that could never happen today. What I’m here to say is: Wish It Lasted Forever brought back untold pleasant memories of what could only be termed a Lost World. You’ll wish this book lasted forever.”
—Bob Ryan, former Boston Globe columnist, Four-Time National Sportswriter of the Year and coauthor, with Larry Bird, of Drive

“A fantastic read….In its combination of off-court camaraderie and on-court intensity, Shaughnessy’s epic ode to the Bird-McHale-Parish Celtics evokes both Cheers and Hoosiers.”
—Mike Barnicle, Senior Contributor to Morning Joe and former columnist for the New York Daily News, Boston Herald, and Boston Globe

“Peels back the curtain on the pulsating Celtics teams of the 1980’s with insight, candor and brashness…A revealing account.”
—Jackie MacMullan, coauthor, with Larry Bird and Earvin Magic Johnson, of When the Game Was Ours

“A book that brings to life those wonderful nights when Larry Bird and his remarkable teammates reminded fans around the country of how strongly Celtic Pride can coax the best from players. Dan Shaughnessy understands what attracted guys like me to the game.”
—Bob Cousy, MVP, 13-time All Star, member NBA Hall of Fame

“You will devour this book, even if you’re too young to have experienced, as they were happening, these indelible moments from one of the greatest eras in basketball…Incredible stories.”
—Abby Chin, NBA Broadcaster, Celtics Courtside Reporter

“Dan Shaughnessy has long been an insider and has great knowledge of the game, which is on display in this look back at teams I played on. He has irritated the hell out of me but has entertained me at the same time.”
—Cedric Maxwell, Boston Celtic 1977-1985, MVP of 1981 NBA Finals

"Another book on Larry Bird? Yes, and it's delicious.”
—Lesley Visser, Hall of Fame sportscaster

About the Author

Dan Shaughnessy is a sports columnist for The Boston Globe, as well as the New York Times bestselling coauthor of Francona and author of The Curse of the Bambino. When not writing, Mr. Shaughnessy can often be found at a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. He has been selected as Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year fourteen times and he lives with his family in Boston.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner (November 16, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982169974
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982169978
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

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Dan Shaughnessy

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
984 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book a good read with wonderful memories and insights into some of the greatest basketball. They also say it provides excellent insight into some great moments in history.

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NostalgiaReading experienceInsight
17 customers mention "Nostalgia"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderful, with wonderful memories and insights. They also appreciate the great history, interesting take, and classic sports book.

"A great peak into 1980's basketball. Extremely well written and very fun to read." Read more

"...I didn’t want to turn pages, so this book would last forever. Great nostalgia read for a basketball freak who grew up in the 80’s...." Read more

"...Rarely , if ever have I enjoyed a book more. It brought back so many memories, as well as provided new and informative material...." Read more

"...the Finals between the Celtics and Lakers, this book brought back great memories...." Read more

17 customers mention "Reading experience"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good, great read with well-done writing. They also say it's worth the price of admission and a fun and easy read.

"A great peak into 1980's basketball. Extremely well written and very fun to read." Read more

"...An almost perfect sports history book! Superb!" Read more

"...Whether you're a Celtics fan or not, this book is a great read if you're a huge fan of the NBA like me." Read more

"...Good inside information. Nice read for all hoop fans" Read more

5 customers mention "Insight"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book gives excellent insight into some of the greatest basketball.

"...Good inside information. Nice read for all hoop fans" Read more

"Dan does an incredible job of giving you insight to the Larry Bird Celtics teams through 1986...." Read more

"Insightful, informative and simply and entertaining read about the Boston Celtics in the championship years of the 1980’s...." Read more

"This book really gives excellent insight into some of the greatest basketball players ever. I was fortunate to have seen a few games on TV." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and easy read. VERY well done.
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
A great peak into 1980's basketball. Extremely well written and very fun to read.
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SYd
5.0 out of 5 stars A great listen with great stories and insights
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
I listened to this so many times I’ve lost count! Some parts of it are hilarious and the fact the author himself reads it and injects his feelings into makes it even better.This literally is my favorite of anything in my audible titles
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Marcel
4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book, end could have been better
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2022
Verified Purchase
What a great team were the Celtics in the 1980’s. Writer Dan Shaughnessy brings it back a live, with stories from behind the curtains. I didn’t want to turn pages, so this book would last forever. Great nostalgia read for a basketball freak who grew up in the 80’s.
It changes a bit when Dan Shaughnessy quits his job as the journalist who follows the Celtics on a daily base during the 1986 season and returns to write about baseball. From that moment on he no longer writes as fly on the wall or insider, but more as a spectator. While Boston’s finest season is going to a climax we are missing some of the nice details that made it a great book until then. Shaughnessy can’t turn back the clock and undo switching his jobs. That makes the end of the book not as good as it could have been.
7 people found this helpful
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peter dergan
5.0 out of 5 stars The topics
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024
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Excellent
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Paul Chrisawn
5.0 out of 5 stars A Joy To Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
I simply loved this book. Rarely , if ever have I enjoyed a book more. It brought back so many memories, as well as provided new and informative material. I felt like a kid again reading about Brid, McHale and all the others. An almost perfect sports history book! Superb!
2 people found this helpful
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Gena O.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great history about one of the greatest Celtics Eras
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
I'm not a Boston fan, but I absolutely loved this book. Growing up in the 80's and watching the Finals between the Celtics and Lakers, this book brought back great memories. I wasn't a fan of the Lakers, but rooted for them against the Celtics, mainly because my best friend was a Celtics fan. lol The author does a great job of taking us back to that time when the NBA was just hitting it's popularity. I thoroughly enjoyed the inside stories the author told throughout the book. The players had a love/hate relationship with him, especially Bird. Whether you're a Celtics fan or not, this book is a great read if you're a huge fan of the NBA like me.
One person found this helpful
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Shawn E. Whalen
5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, the glory days of Celtics past!
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2021
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Being a kid of the late 70's, early 80's, I was not a fan of the Celtics. Why, you ask? I was a diehard Sixers fan living in New England. Your only asking for trouble and I took alot of heat. I'm still a loyal fan of the Sixers but not a huge fan of the NBA, present day.

I had a good idea that this book would be interesting because it would delve into how it was before social media and your cellphone existed! This was definitely rough and tumble, good old days. A handshake could seal a contract extension and no one's jumping ship to be on a so called super team. I found it very funny and interesting. You get to know the players more on a personal level, how private they could or would be with the author. If you miss the NBA of the past, grab this book. It will make you chuckle and you'll gain alot more respect for those players, even if your a huge 76ers fan!
3 people found this helpful
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george liscombe
4.0 out of 5 stars Good story
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2022
Verified Purchase
Interesting take on one of the best Celtic and NBA teams of all time. Good inside information. Nice read for all hoop fans
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