THE ASSIST SPOTLIGHTED ON THE TODAY SHOW
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY gives The Assist an A-
'There's triumph, tragedy, and salvation in this story. Not to mention a movie.'
NEIL DISCUSSES THE BOOK ON FOX25 NEWS
Neil Swidey's new book takes you inside the boys basketball team in Charletstown.
Watch the interview here
Neil Swidey's new book takes you inside the boys basketball team in Charletstown.
Watch the interview here
THE NEW YORK POST: HE SHOOTS, IT'S GOOD
Hollywood loves the storyline: A tough coach takes on the thankless and seemingly hopeless challenge of getting streetwise young people to care about sports (or their studies) and their future...There are elements of The Assist, that are irresistible to Hollywood. If you can't read the book, wait for the movie. Read the review here
THE NEW YORK TIMES SPORTS MAGAZINE "PLAY" PROFILES THE ASSIST
It's not unusual for high school coaches to play big roles in their players' lives. But Jack O'Brien, the basketball coach at Charlestown High School in Boston, takes it to another level. Read the profile here
ESPN.COM SELECTS THE ASSIST FOR EXCERPT
EDITOR'S NOTE: In his first book, The Assist, Neil Swidey chronicles the gripping journey of a group of boys striving to beat the odds imposed by life in the inner city, and their high school basketball coach who needs them and their problems as much as they need him.
Read the excerpt here
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEWS THE ASSIST
In this engaging book about Boston’s Charlestown High School basketball team, Swidey, a staff writer for the Boston Globe Magazine, explains that “being part of the Charlestown program was no guarantee that a kid would become a success.... But dropping out of the program dramatically increased the odds that he wouldn’t."
Read the review here
ADRIAN WOJNAROWSKI OF YAHOO! SPORTS WRITES:
Every so often, there are books about the game of basketball that command you to set them on the most select shelf. Here comes one more, The Assist: Hoops, Hope and the Game of Their Lives by Neil Swidey
Read his review here
TOM DIEGNAN OF THE IRISH VOICE WRITES ABOUT JACK O'BRIEN AND THE ASSIST
"We should probably spend more time listening to the likes of Jack O'Brien when it comes to race relations in America."
Read the article here
WBZ NEWS RADIO
WBZ NEWS RADIO INTERVIEWS NEIL SWIDEY ON HIS NEW BOOK THE ASSIST
Neil Swidey, author of The Assist, which chronciles a year during Jack O'Brien's tenure as Charlestown High School state champion basketball coach, told WBZ writer Michael Epstein the story is about much more than sports. Download the interview here
Listen to the interview on the WBZ 1030 Website
WBZ NEWS RADIO INTERVIEWS NEIL SWIDEY ON HIS NEW BOOK THE ASSIST
Neil Swidey, author of The Assist, which chronciles a year during Jack O'Brien's tenure as Charlestown High School state champion basketball coach, told WBZ writer Michael Epstein the story is about much more than sports. Download the interview here
Listen to the interview on the WBZ 1030 Website
THE CHARLESTOWN PATRIOT-BRIDGE
CHARLESTOWN PATRIOT BRIDGE: The Assist Scores Big
Neil Swidey's The Assist follows the Charlestown High School basketball team on its road to the State Championship during the 2004-05 season and in its aftermath. What emerges is a revealing and moving glimpse into the lives of Coach Jack O’Brien and the players whom he tries to help rise above the pitfalls of inner-city life. Read the review here
CHARLESTOWN PATRIOT BRIDGE: The Assist Scores Big
Neil Swidey's The Assist follows the Charlestown High School basketball team on its road to the State Championship during the 2004-05 season and in its aftermath. What emerges is a revealing and moving glimpse into the lives of Coach Jack O’Brien and the players whom he tries to help rise above the pitfalls of inner-city life. Read the review here
THE CHARLESTOWN PATRIOT-BRIDGE SPOTLIGHTS THE SECOND CHANCE SCHOLARSHIP:
Read the story here
Read the story here
BOSTON.COM: Online Chat with Neil Swidey
Read transcript here
Read transcript here
GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
Read The Assist, which is not only a compelling societal story, but also a great sports story.
Read the article here
Read The Assist, which is not only a compelling societal story, but also a great sports story.
Read the article here
NORTH SHORE SUNDAY
Hoop dreams: Former Salem coach at center of basketball book
Click here for article
Hoop dreams: Former Salem coach at center of basketball book
Click here for article
THE FALL RIVER HERALD NEWS
FALL RIVER HERALD NEWS SPOTLIGHTS NEIL SWIDEY AND THE ASSIST
Neil Swidey finds a story, but not the one he was looking for.
Read the story here
FALL RIVER HERALD NEWS SPOTLIGHTS NEIL SWIDEY AND THE ASSIST
Neil Swidey finds a story, but not the one he was looking for.
Read the story here
THE SPECTATOR
AN ASSIST FROM BOOK AUTHOR
The book, which touches on race, urban life and high school basketball, follows the interwoven lives of the coach and his two stars.
Read the story here
AN ASSIST FROM BOOK AUTHOR
The book, which touches on race, urban life and high school basketball, follows the interwoven lives of the coach and his two stars.
Read the story here
BOOKLIST
BOOKLIST REVIEWS THE ASSIST
"Like Hoop Dreams, this captivating account transcends its time and place." Read the review here
BOOKLIST REVIEWS THE ASSIST
"Like Hoop Dreams, this captivating account transcends its time and place." Read the review here