Advance Praise

Cracked Sidewalks and French Pastry
The Wit and Wisdom of Al McGuire
Tom Kertscher

"Tom Kertscher did an amazing job of painting a picture about the life of one of my favorite sport personalities of all time, Al McGuire. WOW! I was in awe of the way Tom broke down all of Al's favorite one liners. Al was unique in that he was so genuine and never allowed his stardom to affect his persona. This is all characterized in this must read text if you are a sports enthusiast like me. The photos do a marvelous job of capturing Al's personality. Yes, Al McGuire to me was "Awesome Baby" with a capital "A" and Tom Kertscher makes you feel as though Al was your best buddy."
—Dick Vitale

"Tom Kertscher's book—both words and pictures—helps shed additional light on the complex, complicated, and intelligent man that was Al McGuire."
—Dean Smith, coach of the University of North Carolina Tarheels, who lost the 1977 national championship game to Marquette

"All Al did was lead with wisdom and soul. Living in Milwaukee, we feel his teachings, love, and spirit throughout the basketball world. Hopefully this work will allow others to be touched by a very special Irishman and a true and real coach of basketball and of life."—George Karl, Milwaukee Bucks coach

Tom Kertscher has certainly captured not only the image of Al McGuire but very importantly, the substance of what made him so endearing to all of us. Whether you knew him for twenty minutes or twenty years, this book rekindles memories and carries the spirit of a great coach and great man."
—Tom Crean, head basketball coach, Marquette University