A Model of Civics and Civility, and a Mensch's Mensch
You may have seen and read in the news media about the passing of Judge Robert Katzmann, former chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals...
Syl Sobel
Non-fiction Author
Boxed Out of the NBA:
Remembering the Eastern Professional
Basketball League
Available for order!
Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts,
How the US Government Works, and more
Available Now!
A must read for any basketball junkie!
“
TOMMY SHEPPARD
GM, WASHINGTON WIZARDS
“
An outstanding story on an unheralded era.
JOHN CHANEY
HALL OF FAME FORMER COACH, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
SYL'S BIO
I'm a writer, attorney, reporter, and retired director of publications for a government agency. I started writing books when my oldest daughter—then in first grade—asked me if I could “make a book on how the government works.” So I did, and was fortunate to get it published. Shortly after it came out, my younger daughter, predictably, asked me to write a book for her, too. So I asked her what to write about, and she said "cool things about presidents." That’s how my second book came to be. When my editor asked me if I had any more book ideas, I told her that my older daughter suggested the first book, and my younger daughter suggested the second book, but now I was out of ideas. So my editor said: "You know, Syl, you should have had more kids."
That was more than 20 years ago. Both girls have started their careers, I've had five books published, and self-published one. This year I've got a new book coming out, Boxed Out of the NBA: Remembering the Eastern Professional Basketball League, which I coauthored with my childhood friend from Scranton, Pa., Jay Rosenstein. The book recounts the history of the Eastern League, the second-best pro league behind the NBA during the 1950s and early 60s when the NBA had only 8-10 teams and an unwritten quota on African-American players. It tells the story of some of the best professional basketball players you never heard of.
SYL'S APPEARANCES
"Good Seats Still Available" Podcast
March 10, 2021
Podcast Guest
Butch McAdams' "In and Out of Sports" Podcast
November 10, 2020
Podcast Guest
The Butch McAdams Show | Washington, DC
November 8, 2020
Radio Show Guest
Ocean Pines Public Library | Ocean City, MD
October 13, 2020
Guest Speaker
Chesapeake Children's Book Festival | Easton, MD
June 13, 2020
Featured Author
FEATURED TALKS AND MENTIONS
Syl and his co-author Jay Rosenstein discuss their book about the Eastern Professional Basketball League on Butch McAdams' "In and Out of Sports" podcast. Interview starts at 1:15.
Teachers, Parents! Looking to teach your students about presidential elections remotely? Check out this recent book talk by Syl on Presidential Elections and Other Cool Facts.
"Who makes the laws?" is a question often asked by kids. Vermont Public Radio gets a lesson in laws, elections, and How the U.S. Government Works from Syl.
Syl appeared on C-SPAN's BOOK TV at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School.
Psychology Today mentions Syl in article on learning about the 2020 election.
SYL'S BLOG: CIVICS AND CIVILITY
View more of Syl's writings, including his award-winning high school sports reporting.
SYL'S REVIEWS
“
Boxed Out of the NBA is an outstanding story on an unheralded era of professional basketball. Kudos to Syl Sobel and Jay Rosenstein for shining a light on the Eastern League and its many talented players.
JOHN CHANEY,
HALL OF FAME FORMER TEMPLE UNIVERSITY COACH
“
Boxed Out Of The NBA is a treasure of wonderful stories about the legendary Eastern League. Syl and Jay have done a masterful job collecting the most unique stories from some of the game’s most legendary figures. A must read for any basketball junkie!
TOMMY SHEPPARD,
GENERAL MANAGER,
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
“
Direct and easy to understand as branches, checks and balances, and rights are defined and explored. It's a useful addition to the study of U.S. history and government.
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
CONTACT SYL
For media, book signing, or speaking inquiries, please contact me here.