Gary M. Pomerantz
Nonfiction Author, Journalist, Lecturer
WILT, 1962
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Summary
On the night of March 2, 1962, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, right up the street from the chocolate factory, Wilt Chamberlain, a young and striking athlete celebrated as The Big Dipper, scored 100 points in a game against the New York Knickerbockers.
As historic and revolutionary as the achievement was, it remains shrouded in myth. The game was not televised, no New York sportswriters showed up, and a 14-year old local boy ran onto the court when Chamberlain scored his 100th point, shook his hand, and then ran off with the basketball. In telling the story of this remarkable night, author Gary M. Pomerantz brings to life an entire lost world of American sports.
Pomerantz tracked down Knicks and Philadelphia Warriors, fans, journalists, team officials, other NBA stars of the era, and basketball historians – he conducted more than 250 interviews, in all – to recreate in painstaking detail the game that announced the Dipper’s greatness."In telling the story of this remarkable night, author Gary M. Pomerantz brings to life an entire lost world of American sports."
4th Quarter Radio Broadcast of Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game.
Wilt, 1962
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Three Rivers Press (February 28, 2006)
Category: Nonfiction
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400051614
ISBN-13: 978-1400051618
Reviews
“A sports book worth talking about, and a moving portrait of a great athlete and his era.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A book that turns the box score into a tapestry of sweaty faces, squeaking sneakers and roaring emotions...From one man, one game and 100 points, Pomerantz expands his narrative in every direction. His grasp of even the most arcane detail helps to create a vibrant sociological and historical context for Chamberlain... The narrative follows, loosely, the four-quarter structure of the game, and even though we know the outcome, Pomerantz deliciously describes the drama leading up to that 100th point... "
New York Times Sunday Book Review