Wish It Lasted Forever: Life with the Larry Bird Celtics

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 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.