Boston Celtics Encyclopedia (First Edition, 1999)
"The great glory days for the Celtics may be a thing of the past, but Bjarkman's opus reminds us in words and pictures of what once was. From its opening chapter on the Celtic Mystique through The Russell Era ... the book is loaded with the kind of information basketball fans will savor."—Reviewer Harvey Frommer on Todaysports.com (April 9, 2000)
From the days of Wilt-Russell to the recent era of Kobe-Pierce (pictured), the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have maintained professional basketball's greatest rivalry
The most comprehensive book ever written on the history of the NBA's most storied franchise, the Boston Celtics Encyclopedia should be included in every sports fan's library. Written in a unique, easy-to-read style, the Celtics Encyclopedia brings to life the exploits of such Boston legends as Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Red Auerbach, Kevin McHale, John Havlicek, and Bob Cousy. In addition to individual profiles, there are also detailed sketches capturing all sixteen of the Celtics' world championships. All the stories, all the trivia, all the statistics—there isn't anything left out of this unique book.
The author and the English-language version of his The History of the NBA both made it via separate routes to the European basketball capital of Zagreb, Croatia in June 1998.
Some additional Bjarkman volumes treating NBA history and NBA all-star players include:
The History of the NBA (Random House Crescent Books, 1992)
Coffee table pictorial jammed with rare vintage images capturing league history, from the foundations in the post World War II days of the BAA and NBL through the heyday reigns of Bob Cousy, Bill Russelll, Wilt Chamberlian, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan (also later published in French translation).
Sports Great Dominique Wilkins (Enslow, 1996)
Inspirational biography of the Atlanta Hawks star for young adult readers.
Sports Great Scottie Pippen (Enslow, 1996)
Inspirational biography of the Chicago Bulls hero for young adult readers.
Reggie Miller, Star Guard (Enslow, 1999)
Career biography of the Indiana Pacers legend for young adult readers.
Slam Dunk Superstars (Random House Crescent Books, 1994)
Mistrzowie Slam Dunk (Slam Dunk Superstars, 1995 edition reissued in Polish translation).
Coffee table volume profiling the following "high flyers" and "sensational jammers" of the early-1990s NBA game: Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Cedric Ceballos, Derrick Coleman, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Horace Grant, Jim Jackson, Larry Johnson, Shawn Kemp, Jerome Kersey, Karl Malone, Harold Miner, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Scottie Pippen, Isaiah Rider, Stanley Roberts, David Robinson, Otis Thorpe, Anthony "Spud" Webb, Chris Webber, and Dominique Wilkins (with Slam-Dunk Stats and NBA Contest winners)
SHAQ: The Making of a Legend (W.H. Smith, 1994)
Coffee table pictorial tracing Shaquille O'Neal's early career with the Orlando Magic.
Top 10 Basketball Slam Dunkers (Enslow, 1995)
YASLA/ALA (aka American Library Association) recommendation among "Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers" (1997).
All the above titles are regularly available as used volumes from many internet book dealers. The History of the NBA (also issued in French language edition) and Slam Dunk Superstars (available as well in a rare Polish language edition) are particularly attractive collectibles because of their large inventory of rare color and black & white photos from various eras of NBA history.
The History of the NBA also appeared in a similar French language translation (1994)
