Steve Waltman is at it again. In his 2022 book, Some Things I Think I Said, Waltman showed off his versatility with a mix of short stories, poetry, and humor. With his gritty, honest account of life in a Black community in Pittsburgh, Pa., he went straight to the source, spending days speaking to members of that community. How Lemon Happened – Beltzhoover Pride (2024) is on target with those who have to overcome obstacles without the benefit of social privilege. Waltman truly delivers with the story he was born to write The Worst Goddam Record-Setting Team Ever! Although primarily a basketball story, it reflects the personal, human side of a decade's worth of unprecedented success at Bedford High School (PA) in the 1970s. Through interviews with nearly 40 ex-players and coaches, sports archives, and his own memories, he pieces together a story filled with intensity, hilarity, and at times heartbreak. Waltman, an integral part of the basketball story himself, proves he doesn't need to hide behind fictional characters to reveal his thoughts and emotions.
