George Shinn's tell-all book about the Charlotte Hornets' tumultuous move from here to New Orleans is dead.

The publisher said Monday it has canceled the book, partly because of fears it would alienate Charlotte residents and longtime Hornets fans.

"The quality of the writing and his treatment of sensitive issues raised concerns," said Stephanie Williams, senior publicist at Louisiana-based Pelican Publishing. "In general, Charlotte is an important market to us, and we want to be very careful not to offend anyone."

Shinn and his public relations staff did not return calls Monday afternoon.

The 192-page book, titled "Never Give Up," was due out in October. It was pitched as Shinn's account of "the agony and acrimony of the team's final decade in Charlotte."