Hi, I'm Tim Bidamus, and this is NPR's Book of the Day.

Larry Bird is a colossal figure in basketball, easily one of the most recognizable people in the modern history of that sport.

But it wasn't always that way. In his new book, Heartland, A Forgotten Place, An Impossible Dream, and The Miracle of Larry Bird,

writer Keith O'Brien tells the story of Byrd's early life, what motivated him to start playing basketball,

and what he's up to these days.

Here's O'Brien talking about the basketball legend with weekend edition host Scott Simon.

You know, these days, if there's a talented high school basketball player in Croatia or Congo,

recruiters will find them and may sign them to a college career that lasts just a year,

one and done, on their way to the pros, along with a multimillion-dollar NIL or name image and likeness deal,

every moment passed along on social media.

Then there's the story of Larry Bird.

One of the greatest players in the history of the game gave it up when he left Indiana University in 1974 to work on a garbage truck in his hometown to French Lake Indiana.

The story of his return and rise into sports history is told in Keith O'Brien's new book,

Heartland, A Forgotten Place, An Impossible Dream, and The Miracle of Larry Bird.

Keith O'Brien, the best-selling author of Charlie Hustle, Outside Shot, and other books, joins us.

Now, thanks so much for being with us.

Thanks so much for having me, Scott.

And we will caution that this discussion may include mention of self-harm.

You read about Larry Bird's childhood.

Do you begin to understand while he spent so much time on a basketball court?

Yeah, you know, this story is a bit different, right?

We always do the bird magic thing, where we combine the narratives of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

...