• The Boys of Dunbar

  • A Story of Love, Hope, and Basketball
  • By: Alejandro Danois
  • Narrated by: Mirron Willis
  • Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (80 ratings)

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The Boys of Dunbar  By  cover art

The Boys of Dunbar

By: Alejandro Danois
Narrated by: Mirron Willis
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Publisher's summary

As the crack epidemic swept across inner-city America in the early 1980s, the streets of Baltimore were crime-ridden. For poor kids from the housing projects, the future looked bleak. But basketball could provide the quickest ticket out, an opportunity to earn a college scholarship and perhaps even play in the NBA.

Dunbar High School had one of the most successful basketball programs, not only in Baltimore but in the entire country, and in the early 1980s, the Dunbar Poets were arguably the best high school team of all time. Four starting players - Muggsy Bogues, Reggie Williams, David Wingate, and Reggie Lewis - would eventually play in the NBA, an unheard-of success rate.

In The Boys of Dunbar, Alejandro Danois takes us through the 1981-1982 season with the Poets as the team conquered all its opponents. But more than that, he takes us into the lives of these kids, and especially of coach Bob Wade, a former NFL player from the same neighborhood who knew that the basketball court, and the lessons his players would learn there, held the key to the future.

©2016 Alejandro Danois (P)2016 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"Danois, editor-in-chief of the Shadow League, recounts the memorable season and its resonance in a city whose salad days had shriveled into unemployment, drugs, and violence." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Boys of Dunbar

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Definitely Worth it! Emotional and Inspiring Story

I'm not a big sports fan, but I was really interested in hearing such an important story about something good that came out of Baltimore. So glad I purchased this. It's inspiring, entertaining, and well written. The author takes you on their journey and makes you feel invested in the outcome.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

amazing

wow what a amazing team didnt realize reggie lewis mom had heart problems. coach Wade had them boys ready to hoop.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable read.

I went to college where and when Reggie Lewis played.
Great story, loved hearing about his high school career and all the others.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful basketball history

The detail was great. High school, college or NBA basketball fans will enjoy this book!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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HUSTLE AND KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL

Great book. Totally related to the book being an ex basketball player from Detroit. Great life lessons from playing sports and being around the streets...

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A basketball book from a non basketball guy.

Good story, better for readers that don’t care to hear more than a new story than it is basketball fans/historians, as the author is not from Maryland, nor did he play basketball at a high level. Both points become obvious early with him fluffing through basic scenes/descriptions (marylanders, baltimorians, ballers never would have used) because he’s a writer and not a basketball guy and saying wild inaccuracies like “Will Barton is from the same Baltimore as Sam Cassell and Carmelo Anthony.”

A lot more half-done research and fandom than experience and history here.

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