By The Grace of the Game
The Holocaust, A Basketball Legacy, and an Unprecedented American Dream
By Dan Grunfeld
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.
By the Grace of the Game is a multi-generational family epic detailing history’s only known journey from Auschwitz to the NBA.
With a foreword by basketball legend Ray Allen.
On shelves now from Triumph Books.
Order The Book From A Local Independent Bookstore
Local bookstores are vital institutions in our communities. To support them, By the Grace of the Game has partnered with some of Dan’s favorite independent bookstores around the country.
Dan’s dad Ernie with his Olympic gold medal for Team USA in 1976. This photo was taken just about a decade after the Grunfelds arrived in America as refugees.
More Options to Buy
By the Grace of the Game is also available wherever books are sold.
Upcoming Book Tour Events
All events are free, virtual, and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Additional details and events will be added. Check back soon for more!
Watch Past Events
Meet the Author
Dan Grunfeld is a former professional basketball player, an accomplished writer, and a proud graduate of Stanford University. An Academic All-American and All-Conference basketball selection at Stanford, Dan played professionally for eight seasons in top leagues around the world, including in Germany, Spain, and Israel. Dan’s writing has been published more than 40 times in media outlets such as Sports Illustrated, The Jerusalem Post, and NBC News. Dan earned his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2017 and lives with his wife and son in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he works in venture capital.
Donate
By the Grace of the Game has partnered with several non-profit organizations to arrange for book donations. Because of your generous support, they can continue their important educational work.
Praise
***#1 New Release in Jewish Biographies on Amazon***
“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
“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
“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
“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
“Grunfeld weaves his Jewish heritage and linguistic understanding into the book with a strong grasp of historical context.”
— Foreword Reviews
“A welcome addition to anyone’s personal library both in the realm of the Holocaust and sports. But most importantly, this book has the opportunity to touch the younger generation who may have not had exposure to the Holocaust and is given the chance to engage with the topic wrapped around basketball.”
“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
“To anyone reading Grunfeld’s stories of his family’s unimaginable reality, this book could sound like a well-researched fictional novel – of horror and desperation ultimately met with courage and triumph. This is real. And powerful.”
— OSDB
“The book is a terrific amalgam of sports and history and well worth anyone’s time.”
“His book and story are emotional and powerful, but also humorous and inspirational. […] This book is an absolute must read.”
— Matt Babcock, NBA Draft Analyst for BasketballNews.com
“This heartfelt debut is a sincere reflection on the Jewish Experience.”
— Booklist
As featured on:
Alma’s 8 Jewish Books You Should Read This November
Jewish Insider’s Ten books to read in December
Press
Good Morning America
The Jerusalem Post
Bullets Forever
Inside the NBA on TNT
SLAM
The Athletic
Forward
NBA.com
OSDB
Jewish Journal
Resources
If you are interested in learning more about the Holocaust and ongoing work to fight anti-semitism, extremism, and hatred of all kinds, consider the following resources:
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Jewish Family an Children’s Services Holocaust Center (San Fransisco)
Contact us.
Email: grunfeldbooks@gmail.com