The Boston Celtics

Since the team’s inception in 1946, the Boston Celtics have been at the heart of the culture and history of the city they call home. And as Boston has transformed over the years, the Celtics too have evolved to reflect and embrace the changing times. In a book like no other, veteran writer and lifelong Celtics fan Michael McClellan brings Celtics history to life through exclusive interviews with legendary Celtics players and celebrity supporters, while using pop culture and music as a soundtrack.
More than thirty interviewees are featured in this iconic book. Hall-of-Famer Bob Cousy recalls the turmoil of the fifties, as the franchise struggled to get its footing and the nation faced the birth of the Civil Rights Movement. K. C. Jones and Clyde Lovellette narrate the glory of the Bill Russell era, as Russell himself remembers his time as a Celtic. Celebrated players John Havlicek and Dave Cowens relate the ups and downs of the psychedelic seventies, when the team won two national titles, only to collapse at the end of the decade. The epic eighties Celtics-Lakers rivalry and the leadership of legends Larry Bird and Magic Johnson is told by teammates Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, and Nate Archibald, and rivals Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Former Celtics honor the legacy of Reggie Lewis and relay the dark days after his untimely passing in 1993, and the revival of the Celtics under the guidance of Paul Pierce and Brad Stevens in the 2000s.
Also featuring interviews by notable Boston natives such as Michael Dukakis and Mark Wahlberg, The Boston Celtics is the ultimate history of one of the NBA's greatest franchises.

“My experience working with Skyhorse is always a positive collaboration. The editors are first-rate professionals, and my books receive top-shelf treatment. I truly appreciate our working relationship and hope it continues for years to come.”

–David Fischer, author

Michael D. McClellan is a lifelong Celtics fan and cofounder of the wildly popular blog Celtic-Nation.com. He is also the author of Boston Celtics: Where Have You Gone?. He lives in Charleston, West Virginia.

A native of Davenport, Iowa, Jan Volk graduated from Colby College in 1968 and received his doctoral degree from Columbia University School of Law in 1971. Passing the Massachusetts Bar Exam in June of 1971, he began full-time employment with the Celtics.
In his 26 years with the Celtics, the last 13 as General Manager (succeeding the legendary Red Aurebach), Volk was part of five NBA World Championship teams (1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, and 1986). He was an instrumental figure in molding teams which from 1979 through 1996 collected ten Atlantic Division titles, five Eastern Conference crowns, and three NBA Championships. During his Celtics tenure, Volk was responsible for the acquisition, contractual negotiation, and ultimate signing of all Celtics players.
Volk has taught "The Business of Sports" at Tufts University since 1998 and operates a college sports action photography company. He lives in Wayland Massachusetts with his wife, Lissa.

"The Boston Celtics were a basketball franchise before the NBA even existed. The amazing journey of this storied team lies right inside this cover. Writer and interviewer Michael McClellan examines not just the legends like Bird, Cousy, Pierce, and Russell, but so many others who played for Boston, or worked for the organization, or just bled Celtic green. A great book for NBA junkies and for people who hate the Lakers.” —Wayne Federman, author of Maravich

"There have been many books written about the Boston Celtics, but none like this. Michael D. McClellan strikes the perfect balance between the team's signature moments and its iconic players, taking the reader on an historic ride through the decades, from set shot to hip-hop. With McClellan at the wheel and hip-hop legend Big Daddy Kane riding shotgun, The Boston Celtics is a fresh take on the NBA’s most decorated franchise. A slam dunk!" —Dee Brown, former Boston Celtics Captain, 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Champion