Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Red and Me: My Coach, My Lifelong Friend
Basketball legend Bill Russell pays homage to his mentor and coach, the inimitable Red Auerbach, in this story of an unlikely and enduring friendship set against the backdrop of the greatest basketball dynasty in NBA history. When Bill Russell joined the Boston Celtics in 1957 as the nation's first prominent black basketball star, he was not expecting much from his coach....more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
May 5th 2009
by Harper
(first published 2009)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
598)
A heart-warming look at the special relationship between Celtic basketball legends Bill Russell and Red Auerbach. As a player Russell joined the Boston team at a time of great racial prejudice and strife. He and his coach Auerbach developed a bond through mutual respect that defied the color barrier of the day, essentially by almost completely ignoring it. Both wanted to win and that's all that mattered to them. The short and focused, Red and Me sticks almost entirely to the friendship that rose...more
May 16, 2009
Mahlon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone with friends
An inspiring book that explores the anatomy of a friendship. Red Auerbach was the Coach/GM of the Boston Celtics, and Bill Russell their star center. Together these two men won 11 NBA championships, but more than that they formed a unique and meaningful bond that lasted until Red's death on October 28th 2006.
In Red and Me, Russell illuminates the qualities that each brought to the relationship, and gives examples of how these qualities allowed them to work together so well. Along the way Russel...more
In Red and Me, Russell illuminates the qualities that each brought to the relationship, and gives examples of how these qualities allowed them to work together so well. Along the way Russel...more
Aug 19, 2012
Thomas Robinson
added it
When I read the book "Red and Me", I took a lot from it. The book taught me about respect, dignity, and friendship. The book as about the friendship between basketball player, Bill Russell, and his coach, Red Auerbach. This book takes place in the the late 1950's.
Bill Russell was a basketball standout from Louisiana, who previously had bad relationships with coaches,mostly because he was black. Therefore he kept to his self through out his high school and college career. He was confident in h...more
Bill Russell was a basketball standout from Louisiana, who previously had bad relationships with coaches,mostly because he was black. Therefore he kept to his self through out his high school and college career. He was confident in h...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I'm a Celtics fan and I've always admired Bill Russell and what he's done for not only the sport of Basketball, but the landscape of America. With that being said, this book is not very good. Mr. Russell repeats the same ideas over and over again, to the point where it starts get comical. I thought to myself "if I took a shot of whiskey every time he said the word tribe, I would have been dead halfway through it".
Overall, this book felt more like an article that was STRETCHED into being a book t...more
Overall, this book felt more like an article that was STRETCHED into being a book t...more
I really connected with this book on many levels. For one many of the times Russell describes I can relate to as a young athlete myself. Throughout my athletic career I have gotten to know many coaches; some that I have gotten along with and others that I didn't. Out of reading this book I have learned to pull out what different things I ended up learning from each one of them. I now notice how my coach perceives our body language, how we work with each other , and so many other aspects that he...more
very quick read, in part because I defy anyone, no matter how big a Celtics fan, to read without skimming the 100th-or-so time you get to a "Red was a master psychologist, because he treated me better than the other players" (didn't yell at Russell, let Russell not practice so he wouldn't be too tired for games, asked Russell's opinion on major coaching decisions........).
He was understandably moved by Auerbach's death, and there is some interest in the player/coach dynamic for the main figures...more
He was understandably moved by Auerbach's death, and there is some interest in the player/coach dynamic for the main figures...more
I love coaching basketball; even at the low level of church rec ball for teenage girls--it's just fun. I found out my coaching style has some similarities with the great Celtics coach Red Auerbach.
Bill Russell played college basketball at University of San Francisco, leading the team to two NCAA championships. Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach deftly drafted Russell (1956) and went on to win 9 championships in 10 seasons. Russell's defensive play changed the role of center.
Bill Russell had nev...more
Bill Russell played college basketball at University of San Francisco, leading the team to two NCAA championships. Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach deftly drafted Russell (1956) and went on to win 9 championships in 10 seasons. Russell's defensive play changed the role of center.
Bill Russell had nev...more
A short, gentle look by Bill Russell at his relationship with legendary Celtics coach and GM Red Auerbach, Red and Me is a light read with a few interesting anecdotes, a real sense of what Red meant to Russell but is something less than the whole of it's parts.
It's less a memoir of his time with Red or even the Celtics as it sometimes feels like an instruction manual for how to be a good friend. Whenever Russell tells an anecdote about his time with Red, it's almost always to illustrate a point...more
It's less a memoir of his time with Red or even the Celtics as it sometimes feels like an instruction manual for how to be a good friend. Whenever Russell tells an anecdote about his time with Red, it's almost always to illustrate a point...more
One of my great joys was having the opportunity to talk to Red Auerbach for almost 2 hours one night in a Red Carpet club at O'Hare in Chicago.
I sat next to him on a DC to Chicago flight, of course knew who it was, but didn't bother him at all, probably smiled at him when I sat down. It was snowing hard throughout the Mid-West, and I went to the United Red Carpet Club to wait for my plane to Portland. In those days, they had open fire pit in the middle of the room and as I was standing there, I...more
I sat next to him on a DC to Chicago flight, of course knew who it was, but didn't bother him at all, probably smiled at him when I sat down. It was snowing hard throughout the Mid-West, and I went to the United Red Carpet Club to wait for my plane to Portland. In those days, they had open fire pit in the middle of the room and as I was standing there, I...more
I LOVE SPORTS BOOKS! this book is great and so inspiring. it's really a book about friendship and leadership - detailing both the coach & player's approaches to team work and management. i learned so much that i want to be able to exemplify in my own life - what kind of leader i'd like to be. and that one of the key ingredients is feeling secure in oneself. i envy the family example that the author had in how to live with integrity and self respect. i highly recommend this book and not just...more
This book I read for my upcoming summer reading group! As an active basketball watcher, and former player when I was younger, this book was very relatable. I thought it was extremely interesting to see the relationship between Bill and Red on and off the court. To see how one another trusted each other was very unique and I highly recommend this book to individuals whom are interested in not only sports, but also close friend relationships.
I thought red and me was a great description of a true bond between two men who cared deeply about each other and they cared so much about each other they didn't have to tell them that. It was also a great look at basketball back then where as if you went against your coach you would be on the bench where as red knew bill was a great player and liked his style and saw something in him no one else saw. The revolution of defense.
I liked it when Russell wanted his dad to quit his foundry job and take it easy. Russell had just signed the most expensive contract to date at 100K and $1. His dad said he wouldn't, Russell insisted, and his dad said, "Look, I've given these guys 35 of the best years of my life... I figure it's time they got some of the bad ones."
He also had a Ghandi quote in there saying, "I do not concern myself with being consistent with what I have said in the past, but with being consistent with the truth...more
He also had a Ghandi quote in there saying, "I do not concern myself with being consistent with what I have said in the past, but with being consistent with the truth...more
I have always admired Bill Russell, as a person of conviction, and as an athlete. I have read other books that he has written so I thought that I would give this one a try.
I did not like it as much as the other books that he has authored. This book repeats itself over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over...
It seemed like I read the same thing every chapter.
I did not like it as much as the other books that he has authored. This book repeats itself over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over...
It seemed like I read the same thing every chapter.
This was one of my favorite books i've ever read during the summer Bill Russell is now one of my favorite basketball players because of this book.If any one were to write about a basketball player it should be him or Micheal Jordan I give this book 5 stars and would recomend it.
My reason for reading this book was to hear stories from the glory days of the Celtics. I wasn't disappointed. What I didn't expect was the window into what friendship and integrity can help accomplish. Russell's point of view, upbringing and relationship with Red paint the picture of a true winner. His dedication to himself, his teammates and his friend are inspiring.
May 16, 2012
Jim
added it
Ok, I'm a Celtics fan. However, the insights of this book about Russell and Auerbach not only gives a sports fan a view of the greatest run of championships, but more than that it talks about two men fighting prejudice in the toughest of times.
I am stunned that Bill Russell had a coauthor to write this. I had great hopes for some snippets of wisdom or some insight into the character of one or the other. The only take away is that Red let Bill do his own thing and that worked for Bill.
I picked this up just to learn more about my Celtics. Great book about friendship and the art of really listening to the needs of others. Love the little tidbits and learned how great Red really was as a coach and as man.
Reading Bill Russell's account of his relationship with Red Auerbach, one comes away with a clearer understanding on how the Celtics of that era became such persistently successful champions.
The writing is a little choppy and simplistic, but Russel makes some great points about what makes a good coach and a good relationship period. A must read if you're a coach or a Celtics fan.
Aug 22, 2009
Rick Milkman
added it
Got off to good start but became kind of boring. Russell very self-absorbed. Still on defensive, literally as well as figuratively, after all these years.
Now understand how I was able to pick up a hard back copy at Barnes & Noble for $4.95, just couple of months since being published
Now understand how I was able to pick up a hard back copy at Barnes & Noble for $4.95, just couple of months since being published
Turns out this is more a leadership story about Red Auerbach than Bill Russell. Bill comes across a bit affected even arrogant but there are some people pointers to take away.
I knew who Bill Russell was before I read his book. I have no interest in basketball. My interest is in peoples stories. I found Bill Russell's values and mine are much the same.
May 16, 2010
Carson Bubert
added it
basketball legend ball russel pays homeage to his metor and coach,the inimitable red auerbach; its the story of a lifetime. its one of the best books i have ever read.
Some insights into the relationship between Bill Russell and Red Auerbach. Mr. Russell gets his points across, again and again and again. Not his best book.
Jan 09, 2013
Sue Boros
added it
eh a story from one friend depicting his life with another. quick read. i wouldn't have bought it. it ws a gift that kept me occupied for 3 days on the train.
Fascinating book by Bill Russell on friendship and more...in historical context of an amazing life...and I got his autograph!
A very enjoyable book for anyone interested in basketball, race relations, friendship or leadership.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Jan 07, 2010 09:44am