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By the Grace of the Game
By the Grace of the Game

By the Grace of the Game

The Holocaust, a Basketball Legacy, and an Unprecedented American Dream
By Dan Grunfeld, Foreword by Ray Allen

SPORTS & RECREATION

288 Pages, 6 x 9

Formats: Cloth, EPUB, PDF

Cloth, $28.00 (US $28.00) (CA $38.00)

ISBN 9781629379227

Rights: WOR

Triumph Books (Nov 2021)

eBook

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Overview

A multi-generational family epic detailing history’s only known journey from Auschwitz to the NBA
When Lily and Alex entered a packed gymnasium in Queens, New York in 1972, they barely recognized their son. The boy who escaped to America with them, who was bullied as he struggled to learn English and cope with family tragedy, was now a young man who had discovered and secretly honed his basketball talent on the outdoor courts of New York City. That young man was Ernie Grunfeld, who would go on to win an Olympic gold medal and reach previously unimaginable heights as an NBA player and executive.

In By the Grace of the Game, Dan Grunfeld, once a basketball standout himself at Stanford University, shares the remarkable story of his family, a delicately interwoven narrative that doesn't lack in heartbreak yet remains as deeply nourishing as his grandmother's Hungarian cooking, so lovingly described. The true improbability of the saga lies in the discovery of a game that unknowingly held the power to heal wounds, build bridges, and tie together a fractured Jewish family. If the magnitude of an American dream is measured by the intensity of the nightmare that came before and the heights of the triumph achieved after, then By the Grace of the Game recounts an American dream story of unprecedented scale.

From the grips of the Nazis to the top of the Olympic podium, from the cheap seats to center stage at Madison Square Garden, from yellow stars to silver spoons, this complex tale traverses the spectrum of the human experience to detail how perseverance, love, and legacy can survive through generations, carried on the shoulders of a simple and beautiful game.

Reviews

“Through a series of remarkable stories about his family and his own personal experiences, Dan Grunfeld shines a light on basketball’s unique ability to unite people of all backgrounds. Prepare to be moved and inspired by the powerful reflections he shares in this book.” —Adam Silver, NBA commissioner

“Ernie Grunfeld and I did special things together on the basketball court. I now know how truly extraordinary his journey was on and off the floor. This book is a profound and inspirational reminder of why you should never give up.” —Bernard King, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, four-time NBA All-Star
 

“Once I started to read this book, I couldn’t put it down. It’s a true story that showcases the best of America and the human spirit. I highly recommend this book.” —Wolf Blitzer, CNN anchor and host of The Situation Room

“Ernie is a hero to the Jewish community and basketball fans worldwide. I’m sure basketball saved Ernie in many ways, as it did for me. His legacy will always be about family and a will to succeed no matter what was in front of him.” —Nancy Lieberman, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, two-time college player of the year

“This story is the embodiment of the American Dream. It shows why we should never stop fighting and never give up.”  —Ray Allen, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, two-time NBA champion

"Multisensory descriptions, as of the pain of torn ligaments, the sound of fans yelling, and the all-encompassing delight of Grunfeld’s grandmother’s Hungarian food, help to make the prose beautiful and nuanced. Grunfeld weaves his Jewish heritage and linguistic understanding into the book with a strong grasp of historical context." —Foreword Reviews

"This heartfelt debut is a sincere reflection on the Jewish experience." —Booklist

Author Biography

Dan Grunfeld
See Author
Dan Grunfeld was a two-time Academic All-American as a member of Stanford University's men's basketball team. He played eight professional seasons in top leagues around the world, including a year in Germany, three in Spain, and four in Israel, with a brief stint in the NBA for the New York Knicks. Grunfeld received his MBA from Stanford, and his writing has appeared in outlets including Sports Illustrated, Huffington Post, Jerusalem Post, and SBNation.

Ray Allen played 18 seasons in the NBA, earning 10 All-Star designations and two NBA championships.

Book Signings

Past Events

Mar
22
By the Grace of the Game ›
New York, NY
11:00am
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual event for his new book, 'By the Grace of the Game,' hosted by Hadassah Suffolk Region.

https://bit.ly/3sfXF8I
Mar
16
By the Grace of the Game ›
Palo Alto, CA
11:00am
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual event for his new book, 'By the Grace of the Game,' hosted by Tzavta Club and the JCC of Palo Alto.
Mar
10
By the Grace of the Game ›
Pikesville, MD
6:30pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the Chizuk Amuno Congregation with The Ivy Bookshop. Dan will be in conversation with Rabbi Gruenberg.

https://bit.ly/33L7ZvV


https://bit.ly/33L7ZvV

" >
Mar
02
By the Grace of the Game ›
Nashville, TN
7:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, 'By the Grace of the Game,' hosted by the Jewish Federation of Tennessee.

https://bit.ly/3pbMVGb

Mar
01
By the Grace of the Game ›
Highland Park, IL
7:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by Beth El Synagogue, the Center for Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Education of North Carolina, & The Regulator Bookshop.


https://bit.ly/3t3Wrhy





https://bit.ly/3t3Wrhy



" >
Feb
20
By the Grace of the Game ›
,
1:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, 'By the Grace of the Game,' hosted by Literary Modiin.

https://bit.ly/3qkyMHD

Feb
08
By the Grace of the Game ›
Fairfield, NJ
7:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, 'By the Grace of the Game,' hosted by NJY Camps.

https://bit.ly/3rfNUph
Feb
06
By the Grace of the Game ›
Milwaukee, WI
2:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted The Milwaukee Jewish Federation's Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center.

https://conta.cc/3G1MC7v




https://conta.cc/3G1MC7v



" >
Feb
02
By the Grace of the Game ›
Los Angeles, CA
6:30pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the American Society for Yad Vashem.

https://bit.ly/33dic3G




https://bit.ly/33dic3G



" >
Feb
01
By the Grace of the Game ›
Skokie, IL
6:30pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

https://bit.ly/3EGcKmO


https://bit.ly/3EGcKmO

" >
Jan
25
By the Grace of the Game ›
Boynton Beach, FL
7:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, 'By the Grace of the Game,' hosted by Temple Beth Kodesh.

https://bit.ly/3I3CEmx

Jan
24
By the Grace of the Game ›
West Bloomfield, MI
5:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, 'By the Grace of the Game,' hosted by Temple Israel.
Jan
15
By the Grace of the Game ›
Scarsdale, NY
2:30pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, 'By the Grace of the Game,' hosted by the JCC of Mid-Westchester.


Jan
12
By the Grace of the Game ›
Washington, DC
8:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

https://bit.ly/3qNGDgc

https://bit.ly/3qNGDgc
" >
Dec
14
By the Grace of the Game ›
Philadelphia, PA
8:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by Macabi USA.


" >
Dec
07
By the Grace of the Game ›
San Francisco, CA
1:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the JFCS Holocaust Center.

https://bit.ly/3qQ7j1d

https://bit.ly/3qQ7j1d" >
Dec
02
By the Grace of the Game ›
Baltimore, MD
7:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs.

https://bit.ly/3x5jFnp

https://bit.ly/3x5jFnp" >
Dec
01
By the Grace of the Game ›
Corte Madera, CA
1:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by Book Passage.

https://bit.ly/3cu8StC

https://bit.ly/3cu8StC" >
Nov
30
By the Grace of the Game ›
Washington, DC
7:30pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by Edlavitch JCC of Washington, DC. Dan will be in conversation with David Litt.

https://bit.ly/31SICHb



https://bit.ly/31SICHb


" >
Nov
29
By the Grace of the Game ›
New York, NY
7:30pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a webinar for his book, By the Grace of the Game, hosted by The Anti-Defamation League.

https://bit.ly/3wTAq4Z
Nov
18
By the Grace of the Game ›
Houston, TX
6:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the Holocaust Museum Houston.

https://bit.ly/3B6HOdx

https://bit.ly/3B6HOdx" >
Nov
18
By the Grace of the Game ›
Laguna Beach, CA
7:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the Chabad Jewish Center of Laguna Beach.

https://bit.ly/3qvkcxM


https://bit.ly/3qvkcxM

" >
Nov
17
By the Grace of the Game ›
Los Altos Hills, CA
7:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by Temple Beth-Am. Dan will be in conversation with Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit.

https://buff.ly/2YFhtpW




https://buff.ly/2YFhtpW



" >
Nov
14
By the Grace of the Game ›
New York, NY
7:30pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the Fifth Avenue Synagogue. Dan will be in conversation with congregation president Jacob Gold.


" >
Nov
11
By the Grace of the Game ›
Cherry Hill, NJ
7:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the Katz JCC Festival of Arts, Books and Culture.

https://bit.ly/3b55yEt

https://bit.ly/3b55yEt" >
Nov
09
By the Grace of the Game ›
San Francisco, CA
5:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the Farkas Center for Holocaust Education.

https://bit.ly/3jMcPxR

https://bit.ly/3jMcPxR" >
Nov
06
By the Grace of the Game ›
Knoxville, TN
7:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the Knoxville Jewish Community.

https://bit.ly/30I6z3e

https://bit.ly/30I6z3e" >
Oct
26
By the Grace of the Game ›
,
3:00pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for an event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by Oberlin Club of DC.

https://bit.ly/3apGwQ0

https://bit.ly/3apGwQ0
" >
Oct
25
By the Grace of the Game ›
Lawrence, NY
7:30pm
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by Temple Israel Lawrence and Jewish Sports Heritage Association.

https://bit.ly/3D2JQNs

https://bit.ly/3D2JQNs" >
Oct
12
By the Grace of the Game ›
Cedar Hills, TX
Join author Dan Grunfeld for a virtual book event for his new book, "By the Grace of the Game," hosted by the ROTC of Cedar Hills, TX.

Press Releases

By the Grace of the Game:

The Holocaust, a Basketball Legacy, and an Unprecedented American Dream

By Dan Grunfeld / Foreword by Ray Allen

 

Contact: Bill Ames, Triumph Books - (312) 676-4256, b.ames@triumphbooks.com

 

If the magnitude of an American Dream is measured by the intensity of the nightmare that came before it and the heights of extraordinary success afterwards, then the Grunfeld family has achieved the American Dream on an unprecedented scale.

 

In By the Grace of the Game (Triumph Books, November 2021), author Dan Grunfeld, who is the son of former NBA star and New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Washington Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld, shares the remarkable story of his family’s journey from Auschwitz to the NBA. The delicately interwoven narrative proves the power of perseverance and hope, and it is unfortunately timely given the current global rise of anti-Semitism and intolerance.

 

Ernie Grunfeld, a longtime NBA player and executive, was a college basketball legend, a prominent player for the Knicks, and later the President and General Manager of the team during its 90s glory days. What many do not know is that Ernie is the only player in NBA history whose parents survived the Holocaust. In fact, he is the only player with that particular background ever to play in any major American sports league.

 

Grunfeld takes readers through an arduous and poignant personal story about how his tenacious family went from the evil grips of the Nazis to the top of the Olympic podium, from absolute fear of the Third Reich to vanquishing opponents on the court, from terror and profound heartbreak at Auschwitz to victorious jubilation at Madison Square Garden.

 

Basketball fans will hear from Ray Allen, NBA Hall of Famer appointed to the Board of the Holocaust Museum by President Obama, in his powerful and moving foreword for the book. By the Grace of the Game has received tremendous support from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, along with NBA Hall of Famers Nancy Lieberman and Bernard King.

 

About the Author

Dan Grunfeld was a two-time Academic All-American as a member of Stanford University’s men’s basketball team. He played eight professional seasons in top leagues around the world, including year in Germany, three in Spain, and four in Israel, with a brief stint in the NBA for the New York Knicks. Grunfeld received his MBA from Stanford in 2017 and lives with his wife and son in the Bay Area, where he works in venture capital. His writing has been published more than 40 times in media outlets including Sports Illustrated, The Jerusalem Post, and NBC News.

 

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