Mr. All-Around

“ For a player from the 1950s and 1960s, Tom Gola was dramatically ahead of his time. He could pass, rebound, and score. Of most significance, he had the ability to make his teammates better players. At La Salle College and in his NBA days, he had the smartest basketball mind of his era, winning championships at every level of the sport. And all this was followed by a successful second career in politics. His amazing life is beautifully captured by David Grzybowski in the aptly titled Mr. All-Around.”
—Marv Albert, Basketball Hall of Fame Broadcaster

“ Tom Gola’s service and devotion to Philadelphia always impressed allies and opponents on the court, on the campaign trail, and in office. My fellow La Salle College graduates and Philadelphians may know Gola best for his athletic career, but I enjoyed David Grzybowski’s Mr. All-Around for its coverage of Gola's notable career in Philadelphia politics as well. Gola, who grew up in Philadelphia, was a family man, a soldier in the army, a business owner, and a local politician. Gleaning from personal interviews with Gola and the folks who knew him best, Grzybowski recounts each aspect of his life with heart and enthusiasm.”
—Mayor Jim Kenney (La Salle College, 1980)

“ Tom Gola was, literally and figuratively, a towering figure in the sport of basketball. With accounts of achievements beyond the court that also loom large, this biography is well worth reading. David Grzybowski has done an outstanding job of capturing both the talents and the character of this unique and important figure in sports history. Whether you’re a native of Philly, a basketball enthusiast, or a fan of captivating history and interesting individuals, Mr. All-Around is the book for you.”
—Seth Davis, College Basketball Reporter, CBS Sports and The Athletic

"Basketball fans will certainly find much to enjoy in David Grzybowski's Mr. All-Around , a long overdue biography of this Pennsylvania hoops icon." — Pennsylvania Heritage

"Banerjee discusses peasant-based rebellions in three countries (India, Mexico, and Zimbabwe) as a way of examining post-revolutionary state formation in the modern epoch... (and) provides detailed descriptions of each case study.... (H)e argues for the importance of elite participation and the resources that elites can provide for the success of peasant rebellions, and the conditions under which elites have either supported or incited agrarian uprisings.... Summing Up: Recommended."
— Choice

"(A)n exhaustive account of how the city’s Italian immigrants were affected by World War I and how they perceived their immigrant status while maintaining strong ties to their native country.... (Juliani) does a fine job walking the reader through all phases of Italian growth while giving clear background of how it was not exactly a 'love affair' between city officials and Italian immigrants who faced the typical bouts of prejudice and financial hardship one might expect. This well-researched, well-documented work will give the reader insight into the social climate of the time....(E)nlightening."
— Delaware Valley Italian American Herald