Book Description
Ever since his astonishing victory in the 1991 PGA Championship, John Daly, known affectionately on the PGA Tour as "Big 'Un," has enthralled fans with his big drives, bigger personality, and "Grip It and Rip It" approach to golf -- and to life.
Long John, usually seen with a Marlboro Light dangling from his lip, is the unchained, unpredictable, unapologetic bad boy of professional golf. "The only rules I follow," JD likes to say, "are the Rules of Golf."
Daly's play-it-as-it-lays approach drives My Life in and out of the Rough, a thrillingly -- and sometimes shockingly -- candid memoir of a larger-than-life athlete battling assorted addictions (alcohol, gambling, chocolate, sex), his weight, and, perhaps worst of all, divorce lawyers. (He's been married four times.)
A two-time major winner before he turned thirty, John Daly is one of the most popular athletes in the world. Taking readers with him off the fairway and into his $1.5-million motor home for a rollicking ride through his life -- an ever-churning world of booze, burgers, casinos, country music, and breathtaking moonshots -- Daly reveals how a down-home Everyman from Arkansas managed to rise to the peak of the golf world, escape from the depths of abject depression, and, finally, take control of his life.
Well, sort of.
Customer Reviews:
This book carries the same excitement as watching John tee it up on Sunday.......2007-08-07
First off I must tell you that I am a fan of John Daly and his incredible natural talents. This book uncovered every detail of John's life from a kid, through two major wins, and onto where he is today. I enjoyed every page and was glad to see John tell it like it is. This book is an easy read, partly because it carries a 4th grade reading level. However, the book does a good job of revealing all the truths. Yes, most readers may have different views on John's alcoholic dependance, but one thing is for sure John didn't hide the details. If you are a fan of John or find yourself amused by watching his up and down golf game, then this book is for you!
Good Read.......2007-07-01
John Daly has interested me for a long time. I suppose the
whole under-dog thing, going up against the odds, etc. But
I really enjoyed reading this book. Thought it was an easy read
and well written since it was refreshingly naked in terms of
a person just showing all there is to show. I would recommend
it especially since it is so opposite of the whole stuffy
professional golf player fraternity.
Gutsy self-deprecation.......2007-06-03
I have to say that after reading some of the reviews, I'm almost ashamed to write my own. But unlike some of the reviews, I'll spare you any moral soapboxing on my part and not judge the man. Quite simply, the book sheds considerable light on the life (both the good and the bad) of a guy who happens to be a well-known professional golfer. Kudos to John for having the courage to share much of his private life with the public. John's not a saint and doesn't pretend to be (and pretty much says so in the book). He candidly admits to a plethora of self destructive indulgences and decisions yet balances such with discussion about many of his commendable deeds. His honesty is refreshing. He talks about sex, love, alcohol, anger, guilt, determination, etc. He's human for God's sake!
I gave it four stars because it's an easy read and is written in a style suitable for the content. And if you're interested in learning about the life of John Daly, the content serves its purpose quite well. It's both entertaining and informative. It's not meant to win a literary prize. I enjoyed it for what it is - a good book.
Addictive Behaviour?.......2007-03-23
Entertaining easy to read book but not very likely to fetch a Nobel Prize.
Interesting why Daly would want to make reference to several incidents of drunken driving and sad that he doesn't seem to feel particularly responsible for many of his own actions as an adult.
In my opinion the book reflects a considerable amount of raw untreated addictive behaviour and it kept me sober for a few days, thanks John.
Probably more than I wanted to know.......2007-02-08
Daly doesn't hold a lot back when he authorizes his tell-alls. He also is not concerned too much about public perception. He is definitely one of the more colorful characters in professional golf. The book is a no holds barred account of many of his life experiences, good and bad. I am an avid golfer, and a fan of Daly's, and enjoyed reading the book.
Customer Reviews:
A Refreshing Tale of Life.......2007-08-18
Admit it. You're stuck at a dead end job like the rest of us. Miracle on the 17 Green is about a middle aged guy named Travis who has a hopeless job, a great marriage with three wonderful kids (but doesn't realize it) and some yet to be exposed talent with the golf clubs. Great little tale about all the above and how he goes about learning to appreciate life in general. A wonderful read. Typical Patterson book -- short chapters with easy to follow characters. Highly recommended!!! Give it 4 1/2 stars.
The fun-side of James Patterson.......2007-03-09
I just love the out-of-the ordinary books that he writes! It was fun!
Miracle on the 17th Green.......2005-08-30
Very good book. Just as it says. About life, love and family. If you are a fan of James Patterson add this one to your collection.
Trite, Lame and Predictable .......2005-02-05
Even an avid golfer will find this a tedious read. The plot is contrived and predictable. The humor is sophomoric at best. It is blessedly short but I'd rather play the worst muni in the world than re-read this book. The only reason I finished it the first time was because I couldn't believe it could grow steadily worse from page to page. If your golfer has any education at all, buy him or her a P.G. Wodehouse book instead: The Heart of a Goof or The Clicking of Cuthbert.
HEARTWARMING STORY OF ALL KINDS OF MIRACLES...............2004-12-12
Travis Mckinley is just your average guy...; he hates his job in advertising, his marriage is on the rocks, and he loves golf. When he is unceremoniously fired from his job, a fabulous round of golf played at his local course is the catalyst that drives him to living his dream of playing in the Senior P.G.A. tour. So he flys off to Q school to begin living his dream, leaving behind unemployment and a disintegrating relationship with his physician wife Sarah.
Travis arrives--but so do many other avid golfers who aspire to be the next Jack Nicholas and have the $3,000 enrollment fee. But the gods are smiling on the Mckinelys; could it be that Travis could actually out-stroke some of the greatest golfers ever to play the game? Could he win the tour, all that money, and perhaps receive the greatest gift of all--the restoration of his family??
Read the book to find out, although it doesn't take an Einstein to conclude the obvious based upon the title of the book. Although I found this a somewhat interesting tale, I believe that to truly appreciate the story one must truly appreciate the game of golf--as do obviously the authors, although unfortunately I do not. Many readers may find themselves struggling with the terminology used within the game. All in all, a serviceable story with an even better lesson. Don't be afraid to take chances, in this one life that we all have to live. Take a gamble on life, and on love.
DYB
Book Description
"One last wager and then we'll stop. One hundred thousand dollars says you'll miss the next putt," said the millionaire.
The golfer was about to swing the putter head back when he lost control, his nerve crumbled. Three feet. A simple little three-foot putt and he'd be a hundred thousand dollars richer. His hands trembled and his palms were moist; he felt paralyzed with fear as he remembered other putts like this one that he'd missed. He gazed at the cup, then at the ball, then at the cup again. His vision seemed to blur as the cup seemed farther and farther away, smaller and smaller . . .
The Golfer and the Millionaire is one of those rare books with the power to change lives. It is about one man's struggle to believe in himself, to overcome the inner obstacles that prevent him from fulfilling his dreams. Mentored and inspired by a multi-millionaire, the embittered and cynical golfer learns how to develop self-control and focus, reverse his pattern of failure, and move from self-pity to selfless generosity. Once he puts these lessons into action, his life changes dramatically.
Follow a down-on-his-luck golf pro whose chance encounter with a mysterious multi-millionaire changes his game — and his life — forever. Using golf as a metaphor for life, the millionaire teaches the golfer how to attain success by introducing him to the keys to mastery of such success principles as:
• overcoming self-doubt and fear
• visualizing desired outcomes
• conquering negative thoughts
• breaking patterns of failure
• knocking down mental barriers
• giving unselfishly
Like the golfer, you too will soon discover how the lessons in this book can be put into immediate practice — on the golf course, in business, and in every part of your life. Like the golfer, you too can triumph over self-imposed limitations and start fresh down a road of new opportunities.
As you join the golfer on his journey of self-discovery, you too will learn that ultimate success is possible once the mind is freed of the demons of self-doubt and fear. This exciting, can't-put-it-down narrative will inspire you to explore the limitless possibilities in your own life. Whether you want to improve your performance on the green or in the business world, the invaluable lessons will help you reach your goal.
About the Author
Mark Fisher is the bestselling author of The Instant Millionaire, which has had phenomenal success since its publication in 1989 — selling more than 150,000 copies in the United States alone and translated into 21 languages.
Customer Reviews:
A brilliant book.......2002-03-01
an excellent book to learn, not only about golf, but also for life. i can only recommend it.
The only thing you can control in life, is your state of mind.
Its Not Just About Golf, It's About Living.......2000-11-17
The golfer and the millionaire is a great book about the realities of life, you are either living or dying. The main character in this book Robert is dying. He has given away all of his dreams and only has his fading talent and good looks remaining.
He has given away those things that make you successful. He has stopped trying. The book deals with the rebirth of Robert and his attempt to achieve success in not only his golf, but in the other far more important parts of his life.
Robert is fortunate enough to meet someone who awakens him, and helps show him the door to achieve his greatest level in life. Many people, whether golfer or not, can benefit from this book as we all look to be our most successful in life.
The Inner Game of Successful Life and Golf, Too.......2000-07-30
If you are not a golfer, I recommend you skip this book. The parable depends on experiences that golfers have all the time, but that may be hard for nongolfers to appreciate.
If you are a golfer, read on. I rated this book a five star for you.
The basic lesson of this book is that success depends on proper physical and mental preparation. The advice on mental preparation is very helpful for golf, and should work well in general life.
Basically, the story revolves around a physically talented 30 year old golf pro at a country club. He thinks his life is over because he has not made the tour, has just been kicked out by his girl friend for not making a commitment, and sees no future except giving lessons and selling balls.
That night, he drinks a bit too much and totals his car while trying to stop to avoid crashing into a limo. The millionaire saves him from a fiery death and takes him home. The next day, they play golf. The millionaire finds ways to put the pressure on the pro to see why he isn't achieving his dream of being on the tour. Large bets to make 3 foot putts leave the pro unnerved, but $11,000 richer. The millionaire also loans the pro $25,000 and a Ferrari so he can try to qualify for the U.S. Open. You'll have to read the rest of the story for yourself, because to tell you any more would spoil the parable for you.
I can certainly share some of the key lessons. Most of us practice our golf and for our important life activities as though nothing is on the line. So we get better physically, but are mentally unprepared for the challenges of pressure situations. When these arise, our emotions and minds take charge and we perform poorly. You should instead practice like every shot or action is for winning the U.S. Open. Then when you actually play, or do your life activities, pretend like you are practicing (to relieve the pressure).
Whenever you start to have a negative thought (like I'm going to hit a lousy shot, or don't hit into the trees), stop before swinging or acting. Replace that thought with an image of the perfect shot following the perfect swing. The mental process of Jack Nicklaus is described as a model. Basically, you are building self-confidence. Self-talk is also prescribed.
The book also speaks of spiritual laws. One is to learn to love golf (and life) regardless of what happens. One way to do this is to live more fully in the moment. This means ignoring your bad shot that you just hit (other than to learn the lesson from what you did wrong mentally or physically to hit it poorly), or even the great one you hit. The book points out that you can be so pleased with your great drive (your last accomplishment) that you fail to focus on finishing your task -- scoring well on the hole. So you can now see how golf is used to show how self-confidence has to be combined with perserverance to get great results.
Although I have focused on the golf part of the story in this review, there's a lot in the book about love (of self, the opposite sex, for parents, for children, and for all humanity).
Overcome your stalled thinking about how to accomplish what you want out of life (and golf) with this excellent book!
Donald Mitchell
IF YOU WANT TO BE THE PERSON YOU HAVE DREAMED OF BECOMING.......2000-06-29
Ok, let's stop complaning about our failures and start doing something about becoming successful. This book gives us the insight to become what we truly choose to be. Through it's unique story it can show anyone how to shoot for the stars and reach them. As we all know success does not come easily, but it is there for anyone who seeks it. After reading this book, i would ask that the reader rededicate their self to success. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone wanting a new life.
Cute Little Guide........2000-04-01
Mr. Fisher has shown us once again, this time through a game of Golf that we can really accomplish anything in life if we really wanted to. It's all about having the "drive" to succeed. We aim at the hole from afar in the game of golf and take a swing. This is also precisely what we do in real life!
The only minor glitch is that I found it a repeat of his other 3 Millionaire books but through a different storyline. However a well written book.
Thank You, Steve.
Book Description
"Sharks never sleep. You must be willing to do the hard work it takes to stay on top."
With his trademark charm and eloquence, Greg Norman reveals the secrets behind his myriad achievements, tracing his journey from Queensland, Australia, to the World Golf Hall of Fame to chairman and CEO of a global business.
Since the days in 1975 when he made thirtyeight dollars a week working as a trainee, Norman has won ninety-one professional tournaments around the world, including two British Opens and twenty U.S. PGA Tour titles, and he held the No. 1 World Ranking for an astonishing 331 weeks.
Norman has brought the same competitive fire to the boardroom, building a business that reflects the diversity of his interests and the power of his brand. Norman has done something very few professional athletes have ever managed -- he has transcended the sport that made him famous.
As head of Great White Shark Enterprises, Norman presides over a multimillion-dollar empire that ranges from golf course design to real estate to apparel to wine. An astute businessman with unmatched desire and drive, he has an unerring instinct for knowing what will work and what won't. He has combined a hands-on approach with an overall strategic vision to produce an internationally recognized and respected brand.
In these pages, Norman illustrates the principles that are at the core of his successes and offers readers concrete advice for applying their own talents to successfully play both the "front nine" and the "back nine" of life. Practical, engaging, and incisive, The Way of the Shark shares the lessons Greg Norman has learned both on the course and off, demonstrating how anyone, at any stage of his or her career, can be a champion.
Customer Reviews:
Too much detail.... not enough depth.......2007-03-30
As a lifelong golfer and equally devoted reader of book about the game, I was somewhat curious about Norman's latest. After all, he's certainly out of the spotlight as a golfer so what's the purpose of this late-issue autobiography?
Let's say this: if Greg Norman is your hero, if you worship the ground he walks on, then I suppose you will fine this effort...uh... awesome. For someone slightly more critical, I will say that the content is less-than-inspiring. During his years as the number one ranked golfer (and did that mean he was really the BEST, or simply one whose high finishes in run-of-the-mill events put him there) I was neutral toward Norman, and I still am. Sure, I thought he cut a dashing figure on the golf course, despite that rediculous hat, but there was always something a bit false about him. Perhaps, of course, that stems from his many failures in majors -- after all, if he was truly as bold and dynamic as he liked to portray himself, wouldn't he have won a great deal more?
But I digress. The book is written in a most pedestrian style, perhaps designed to appeal to Australian teenagers who still have posters from the 1986 British Open still on their walls. Norman's version of his greatest defeat, at the hands of Nick Faldo in the 1996 Masters, tells us how he played beautifully for three days, but even before teeing off in the final round, he tells us that his "hands felt funny," telling caddie Tony Navarro, "It's going to be a long day." Well, it was a long day, as Norman blew a six shot lead to finish third. Hmmm... nerves never had a thing to do with the detonation?
Greg Norman devotes a whole chapter to his befriending of young cancer victim Jamie Hutton at the Heritage and offers countless other examples of just what a splendid fellow he, Greg is. Still, if you're looking for any golf insight, it's just not here. The last two-thirds of the tome is Greg Norman tooting his own horn about his all-important "brand," his many business deals -- without his own money, of course -- and just what a little Donald Trump he's determined to be. All this is both tiresome and uninteresting. The constant crowing about his stellar character are, themselves a complete contradiction. Perhaps one of his "good friends" will one day mention the virtues of modesty. (And while it's none of my business, how does one dump his loyal wife of some 25 years to take up with Chris Evert?)
I strongly suggest you pass.
A profoundly human affirmation of enduring values.......2007-03-08
How unique, indeed refreshing it is to read a book by and about a professional athlete, unlike so many others past or current, who has achieved great success both in athletic competition and in the business world. In this volume that Greg Norman wrote with Donald T. Phillips, he shares the lessons he has learned thus far (he continues to compete on a limited basis) "in golf, business, and life." It is important to note that when writing a book as well as when preparing for a major tournament or conducting due diligence on a business opportunity, it makes sense to enlist the assistance of others who can provide the knowledge and experience needed to achieve success. I commend Norman on selecting Phillips -- who collaborated so well with Mike Krzyzewski on Leading with the Heart and also wrote Lincoln on Leadership and The Founding Fathers on Leadership - but there can be no doubt that the insights and, of equal importance, the "voice" in this book are Norman's.
Others have their reasons for praising this book. Here are three of mine. First of all, Norman's candor. This was especially obvious when, in Chapter Twenty-Five, he discusses his final round at the 1996 Masters. I was in Virginia that Sunday on a business trip, playing a relaxed round of golf with a friend before a series of stressful meetings the following week. When we teed off, Norman had played the first several holes, well ahead of the field; after we completed the round, we were shocked to learn that he had not won the tournament. How could that be? Later, I saw a telecast of the news conference, one that many golfers would have avoided, responding to questions that many of them would have evaded. "I screwed up today. My thought pattern was good but my rhythm was off. My good shots weren't good enough and my bad shots were pitiful. And that's pretty much it. Just didn't have it today. I place all the blame on myself." Of course, he was grateful for the strong support he received from family members and friends as well as from Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, Fred Couples, and countless other players. Norman may have failed to win the Masters that year but at the same time demonstrated qualities of character which continue to earn respect and admiration for him, both on and off the course.
I was also fascinated by all that he shares about his various business activities. He is a ferocious but principled competitor. Over the years, he and his associates have build a multi-national corporation focused around golf and the golf lifestyle (e.g. clothing, real estate, sporting goods, wines, gold course design, restaurants, and event management). Norman is an active and involved chairman and CEO of Great White Enterprises which now generates hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue. His approach to leadership and management in the business world seems exactly the same as when playing competitive golf: set ambitious goals, assemble the "best and brightest" people, rigorously prepare, keep ultimate objectives in mind while focusing on significant details, explore all appropriate opportunities, measure only what really matters, never confuse pride with arrogance, welcome constructive criticism, be resilient when circumstances require adjustment, and remain convinced of achieving success eventually, preferably ASAP. As Norman learned on the golf course, there are some pars that are as valuable as birdies, there are some hazards to be avoided even at the cost of a par, that there are sucker pin placements which require a "safe" shot, and that sometimes what seems to be a perfect putt simply won't go in the hole. In this book, Norman cites dozens of examples of comparable situations during his career as a corporate executive.
Finally, I admire the humanity that Norman is willing to reveal so generously. For various reasons, many celebrity athletes are viewed as role models and even as icons. Over time, they become very protective of how they are perceived by the general public. (Joe DiMaggio is one example that comes immediately to mind.) In this instance, I am not referring to protection of privacy that I think is every person's right. Rather, I mean to suggest that it is rare that an athlete of Norman's stature and achievement is willing to discuss, even celebrate those in his life - over the years - whom he has most loved and most respected as well as those whose friendship he most appreciates. He recalls many fond moments, dark moments, lucky breaks, and other ingredients of his life and career thus far. Throughout the narrative, he gives full credit to those who have helped him but always assumes full responsibility for mistakes and failures of various kinds that he duly acknowledges.
When concluding his book, Norman observes, "In golf, you can always shoot a lower score. In business, you can always make another buck. And in life, you can always become a better person. The next minute is the most important minute of your life. You are limited only by your imagination. Your dreams are the blueprint of reality."
Really, this is not a "golf book" nor a "business book." Rather, it is a book about one man's pursuit of self-improvement and personal fulfillment while achieving success both in golf and in business. Greg Norman's journey continues, guided and informed by the lessons he has learned, lessons that can also be of substantial value to others who share his faith in what is possible and his determination to "go for it."
AWESOME!!!!.......2007-01-10
I LOVE Greg Norman and this book so far is AWESOME!!!! ANYTHING to do with him is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Golfers will love this book.......2006-12-21
Who is the greatest athlete Australia has ever produced? Arguably it is Greg Norman. He is certainly the most well known. He has won 91 golf tournaments around the world, including 20 PGA tournaments in the U.S. and 2 British Opens.
Swimming and surfing were his original passions, but his mother's passion for golf captured young Norman as well, and after a stellar, but brief amateur career, he started as a golf professional trainee in 1975 for the magnificent sum of $38 per week--Australian!
If Arnold Palmer pioneered the "go-for-broke" attitude in modern golf, then Greg Norman certainly picked up the mantle from him. That attitude on the golf course carried over into business, and even to the writing of this book. Norman is willing to share his perspectives on the good, the bad, and the ugly--when most would want to focus only on the good.
You'll love his descriptions of his British Open victories (the good), his part in trying to start a World Tour which was quickly snuffed by the PGA Tour's response (the bad), and his meltdown on the final day of the Master's against Nick Faldo in 1996 when he lost a 6 shot lead and lost by 5 to finish third (the ugly). They are open and honest.
Norman also does a wonderful job of describing the business side of golf. At this point only Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have done a better job of parlaying golf talent into business success. And Norman's success in helping build the Cobra Golf franchise, as well as his thriving gold course design business, clothing lines, etc., all make for fascinating reading.
Armchair Interviews says: Any golf aficionado will appreciate this book.
Book Description
Everyone Needs a Second Chance on the Course and In Life
Paul McAllister was a driven man. Ivy League educated and the founder of a multimillion dollar business, Paul was a success in everything but life-and golf. It only took one Pro-Am afternoon, one short putt, and one airborne putter to send his world flying in a different direction: a mulligan!
Golf's gracious do-over, a mulligan is the beginning of Paul's own second chance. Guided by the wisdom and advice of an Old Pro, Paul learns about priorities, about self-confidence, and about playing a good game both on and off the course.
Written in the appealing "parable" style of other best-selling books such as Who Moved My Cheese?, Gungo Ho! , and Whale Done! , golf pro Wally Armstrong and author Ken Blanchard condense decades of practical know-how into a simple book with an amazing message.
The Mulligan is a second chance to change it all, and improve both your life and your game!
Customer Reviews:
Encouraging and Educational.......2007-09-03
This is a tremendous book for all who play the game of golf and struggle with the game of life. It is been a great conversation piece with all that struggle with improving their golf game. The correlation with the way that we view life is amazing. This is a book that everyone should read!
great introductory book for outreach!.......2007-07-28
This book is a winner for people who like golf and misunderstand the relevance of a personal relationship with God and Christ! It makes great sense and is a perfect read. Thanks Wally and Ken!
Great words for life.......2007-06-11
It's amazing how much the gentleman-ly principals of golf apply to our day to day lives. If you're a golf fan, you'll love this book.
Great little book!.......2007-05-25
A wonderful little book about life and golf. A little bit corny (in a nice way, I thought) and some people may be turned off by the distinctly Christian message, but I loved this book. Nice messages about relationships, forgiveness, priorities - and also about golf...and about not taking it too seriously! I'd highly recommend it. Special!
Book Description
The time: 1931. The place: the golf links at Krewe Island off Savannah's windswept Atlantic shore. The event: a mesmerizing thirty-six-hole match in which Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, legends of golf in their own time, are joined by an unsung opponent, the troubled war hero Rannulph Junah. The key to the outcome lies not with these titans of the game but with Bagger Vance, a caddie who carries the secret of the Authentic Swing. His mysterious powers guide the play and leave a lasting imprint, not only on the lives he touches on that day so long ago, but also--sixty years later--on the future of a brilliant but discouraged young medical student.
Once in a great while comes a book different from all the rest. You long to compare it to something great that went before, and yet no comparison truly holds. Such is The Legend of Bagger Vance. Readers have likened it to Bernard Malamud's The Natural or to Golf in the Kingdom, they mystical classic by Michael Murphy. Although Steven Pressfield's work has a kindship with both, it is a true original, a page turner, a spellbinder, an inspiration for golfers and nongolfers alike--a story in which the search for the Authentic Swing becomes a metaphor for the search for the Authentic Self.
Customer Reviews:
Much Better than the Movie.......2007-07-20
Very inspirational and motivational. I couldn't put it down, it affected my thinking, made me cry at the end. What more can you ask of a good book? Highly recommend for Teen golfers.
The legend of bagger vance.......2007-01-28
I am disgusted that you would even think to ask me what my thoughts are. I emailed you with a complaint that the copy I bought was listed as new. I complained that the page edges gave the appearance they had been torn using a ruler rather than guillatined. I was very disapointed with the book and even moreso that you failed to reply to my email - I have bought a few books fom you and intended to buy more but your professionalism is so lacking that I think from now on I'll shop elsewhere.
Lindsay Elliott AFSM
PO Box 42
Kedron
Queensland, Australia 4031
Ph:0409899574
You have my email address!!
'It's not about golf,' said the student to this teacher........2006-06-05
This book is on the shelf in my classroom. I hadn't read it yet and was discussing it with one of my students who was looking for something to read. I had suggested it to him since he is a fan of many sports. He said he'd already read it. I told him I had not, since I am not a fan of golf. He looked at me like I was a small, silly child and said, 'It's not about golf.'
At that moment, I determined to read this book. So, this was my first free choice of a book this summer and I enjoyed it.
First things first. You do not have to understand golf to understand the book. The golf match is merely the vehicle to move the story forward. When Bagger Vance encourages his pupil to find his 'authentic swing' I simply inserted my own experiences with baseball to understand the feeling.
Secondly, the book is full of eastern philosophy. It's an interesting dichotomy - the American South during the Great Depression and Hinduism. Search 'Bhagavid-Gita, Bagger Vance' on the search engine of your choice and you'll find it laid out quite nicely on many, many sites.
So, my final grade: B+. Not Pressfield's best work but still quite interesting and well done.
The Only Author Who Fits Into No Genre But His Own.......2006-04-11
Steven Pressfield has written one of the most important books of the century. Yes, it has a play-the-game-of-golf theme, but if one is willing to go where few will brave - this is a deeply profound book about love, truth, honor, betrayal, despair, fear courage, hope...and faith in God (that has nothing to do with man-made artifice of law and state). Indeed, the book is the only one I have ever read that perhaps transcends the meaning of time, place and space itself as part of a vast mystical wonderful experience. For many, as children of a Living God - know that He is "with" the least and last of us right now: a confused child in need, a down and out golfer somwhere who can't find his authentic swing, a woman who has lost the only man she ever loved, a husband & father who can't feed his own family. Yet, the book isn't that pat either for me to place in any slot. If anyone has ever faced a blank page in life itself with the hope to create one meaningful thought and/or kindness (perchance even sacrifice for the sake of another soul) encompassing both the human condition and far-beyond what human eyes can see - you will love this book by the one and only magnificent artist & author, Steven Pressfield. Buying ALL of his books (including this one) could be the best investment you make for yourself and your life. Great art does that sometimes....
It you think it's on golf, you may be missing the point........2005-05-19
Last winter in a philosophy class I was assigned to read a book called the Legend of Bagger Vance. At first, I rejected the entire idea of the book. Golf and philosophy? he had to be kidding right? And the main people in the book - Bagger, Junah, Hardy, Michael - how could they all take a silly game of golf so seriously? (I am not really much of a sports fan.)
It took a few class discussions, but I quickly realized my error. The Legend of Bagger Vance is a rare gem. Packed with religion (it is, after all, based on the Hindu text the Bhagavad-Gita), philosophy, and a rare kind of literary magic, Pressfield has rewritten and submitted a doctrine for the ages in the guise of a book about golf.
Most of the book focuses on a famous game played at Krewe Island between a local has been golf hero, Rannulph Junah and his caddie Bagger Vance, and the two best players of the day Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. (The latter two men did actually exist). The story is retold by Hardy as an old man, who was a young boy at the time of the game, to his young friend Michael. Michael recently quit med school, which Hardy can understand. He is a doctor himself and understands the stress and pressure of pursuing such a career. But when Hardy hears that Michael also quit golf - he decides to do something to bring his young friend back to the game. Through his retelling of the story, an excursion to a local friend, and a few other things I'm not mentioning, lest I spoil it for you, he tells us a magical story about duty, struggle and doing what you were meant to do.
I would suggest this book to anyone, but more specifically certainly any golfer (may you find your authentic swing), anyone who has an affinity for Eastern wisdom, and any person who is searching for meaning in this very confusing world. The movie, which I will not get into here, I would not suggest seeing, simply because it distorts a beautiful story. Main characters are deleted and romances are added - maybe you'd likeit, but I know I wouldn't.
But the book is marvelous. I'm what you could call a book worm, reading 10-20 books a month, but a semester has passed since I closed Bagger Vance, having read its final pages, and it still impacts me daily. The wisdom, philosophy and magic in this book are almost too powerful to convey on paper. But I have tried. Please, give this book a chance. It doesn't look like much, but it is.
I know myself and my friends have all enjoyed it immensely. Maybe it could change your life too.
Amazon.com
The first thing you'll learn in this book, which details how Earl Woods raised his son, Tiger, to become probably the greatest golfer who ever lived, is that your child will never be another Tiger Woods. Tiger is a prodigy in the sense that Mozart was a prodigy. But even if your child has completely ordinary abilities, Training a Tiger shows how to pass on your love for a sport to your child. Most of the book is specific to golf, but the same lessons can be applied to any activity.
Book Description
An educator, top-ranked college ball player and Green Beret who served in Vietnam, Earl Woods reveals the instruction and training secrets that went into raising a child who might be the greatest golfer ever. His teaching method starts with the simplest swings: Putting, chipping and pitching, and doesn't introduce the full swing until the basics have been mastered. The book includes dozens of games and competitions to make golf fun and interesting, teaches mental toughness and emphasizes skills, posture, balance, set-up and grip.
There are also some subtler points for parents to consider: when and how to introduce golf (or any sport) to their child; how to lay the groundwork for open communication; and how to cultivate the right attitude toward competition. Through an intelligent mix of instruction, humor and common sense, Training a Tiger helps parents everywhere lead their kids to love the game, and to play it with confidence, patience, proficiency and passion.
Customer Reviews:
Does not work.......2007-06-01
I bought this book to help me take care of my new baby tiger, Thundercat. All I found was a bunch of crap about golf and black people. In the end, the tiger died. I tried to stuff a golf club down it's gullet but nothing happened except it threw up all over me and went to sleep. Overall, I do not recommend this book if you care about your new animal friend or are an animal lover AT ALL.
reply to reader with no brains from June 17th 2003.......2006-05-04
This moron is a jealous racist. Everything he said is wrong. He should know what he is talking about before he speaks. Earl never asked Tiger to go golfing with him. The only way he would take him is if Tiger asked to go. Tiger is Stanford educated, insanely rich, the best golfer in history, never been in trouble and calls his dad his best friend. I would give anything to be sure my kids were half the person Tiger is. If you read this book and got nothing from it I feel bad for your kids. By the way he is the best dressed person on tour!!
A plus book.......2005-09-05
This book is great! Anytime you can read about wonderful parenting, it is a highllight in your day. As the mother of 2 boys I can only hope to be so self sacrificing as Earl Woods. Whether you are into golf or not, all children could benefit from more attention from their parents. This book is about putting the child first and helping them make their dreams a reality. While so many children watch tv all day, it sure is refreshing to read about a parent who demonstrates the real meaning of parenting-take the time to train the children up right and they will end up as you trained them. Earl is truly an inspiration. Thank you for writing the book if you read this email Mr. Woods.
Good Book.......2003-10-20
In Pete McDaniel's, Training a Tiger, Tiger Woods shows you basics and in depth steps to golf. This book will show you how to start a your child in golf, equipment, putting, short game, driving, practicing, and in to mental mechanics. The authors purpose for writing this is to show young kids how to golf. It is worth reading if you want to improve your golf game or your childs.
Nothing but a "stage dad".......2003-06-18
Well, I think the fact there are only three reviews of this book before mine pretty much sums up how popular it is.
As I write this, there is a show on TV called "American Junior" -- a take-off on "American Idol" in which children with prodigious singing voices try to become stars. The most striking feature of the show, however, is not the kids' talents but their parents' obsessions. They are trying to achieve vicariously, through their kid's success, the fame and fortune they were never able to achieve on their own. I think you probably get my analogy to Earl Woods.
By the way: I have a point to make about Tiger that has nothing to do with this book, really, but that I want to get off my chest. It has to do with his wardrobe. He is in serious need of a fashion makeover. Here is his customary garb:
1. "Poofy" (i.e., baggy-legged) pants. The effect is a little bit odd.
2. A standard golf shirt -- but with the top, collar button fastened. This is a distinctly child-like feature; normally the only people with top button fastened are little boys dressed by their moms.
3. A cap that is more rounded than that of other players; if you removed the bill and attached blades to the top, it would be a perfect propellor beanie.
What I'm getting at is that his working clothes are childish. When combined with his natural baby face, the effect is comical. I predict that 20 years from now, film of Tiger in his 20s will look as silly as film of golfers in the 1970's with their tight, plaid pants, wide white belts, and super-sized lapels on their shirts.
So Tiger -- please come up with a new look on the course to go with your fabulous game.
Book Description
Gary Player is one of only four golfers to have won the grand slam of golf. He has won more than 160 PGA tournaments worldwide. He and longtime friends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer comprise the golf worlds Threesome of Giants. In The Golfers Guide to the Meaning of Lifethe latest installment of the popular Meaning of Life seriesthis esteemed and beloved golfer opens up about what six decades of championship golfing have taught him about patience, human nature, endurance, friendship, weariness, and happiness.
Customer Reviews:
Useful Wisdom.......2007-10-12
With reflections on his own life and not too subtle advice on how life should be lived, Player offers up a no-nonsense approach to life that can be applied certainly to non-golfers. He is clearly passionate about the game, a generous and magnanimous person, and charmingly opiniated with his South African personality coming through loud and clear.
Excellent inspirational read and not just just for golfers.......2006-08-24
I've been a great admirer of Gary Player for many a year and always swore I'd try and learn more about what makes the great man tick as I'd only heard snippets over the years. The last one was when he was interviewed at the US Masters this year by the BBC and he said he was still doing 100s of sit ups a week and he just beemed huge self-confidence and positiveity.
The time came to find out more and searching Amazon brought up, as expected, a lot of golf instruction books. I was however after more of a book about the man and how he thinks and this book seemed to fit the bill.
I have to say that it is a little gem! A fairly quick and easy read but one that deserves to be read at least once every year or so to give you a kick up the backside to improve your attitude to the whole of life with relationships, career and your general purpose in life. There are the passages of text that you almost expect to be in there from Gary which almost validate buying the book. Then there are those unexpected pieces that raise an eyebrow or two and make you realise you've just been revealed another facet of his personality and makes it all the more intriguing as to what the next chapter will bring.
The chapter on Gary's exercise routine that he has done for an hour a day for as many years as he has been an elite golfer was very simple yet so inspirational with the energy that seemed to come off the page that I got on the floor and did 50 sit-ups right then and there. I was so motivated that I carried on and did a full weights workout despite the fact I was feeling a little tired beforehand. I have since done some form of exercise daily - such is the power of the man and how he motivates people.
I believe Gary is now in his 70s but it seems from the book that his philosphy to life was embedded at a young age and he has stuck to it rigidly through thick and thin and is the reason why he is still competitive on the Senior PGA tour after so many of his contemporaries faded long ago. If my father wasn't such an inspiration to me then I would gladly have had Gary and he is on a list of people I have that I hope to meet in my lifetime as I just know he is going to be around well into his 100s so the chance is very much there!
Great book. Great guy. What more can I say?!
Cheers,
Tufty
Quick read but interesting.......2005-09-25
I've been a fan of Gary Player since the early 1960s, when he was young and I was even younger, so I was happy to get this as a gift from my very secure husband. I learned some things I didn't know about Gary Player, and found a lot of thought-provoking ideas about life in general. Some of the book might seem self-aggrandizing, but there's a lot of other stuff to chew on. I'm not a golfer (I have played a little, but not recently) but that doesn't matter for the enjoyment of the book. I read it all in a couple of train commutes, maybe an hour and a half.
The book is nice physically, with good paper and a nice cover, so it would make a good gift.
Amazon.com
From his first steps onto the public stage, this true icon of sport exuded an aura more inviting than off-putting, and his substantial record--92 titles worldwide, four Masters championships, a U.S. Open crown, and back-to-back British Open victories--speaks for itself. So does his autobiography. It is friendly, chatty, honest, passionate, long on spirit, and deft with the anecdotes it shares. As a storyteller, Palmer is as down the middle with the failures and hard times as he is with the remarkable triumphs. He writes thrillingly about golf at its most competitive; probingly about his rivals, particularly Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus; revealingly about the extended slump that followed the '64 Masters, his last win in a major; fairly and nobly about his own legendary status; emotionally about his family and his complex relationship with his father; and quite movingly about both his and his wife's battles with cancer: "The very word...used in the same sentence as Winnie's name struck cold terror in my heart."
If A Golfing Life sometimes finds itself ankle-deep in the rough of its own sentimentality--"I'm damned proud of my efforts"--it also surprises with unflinching candor and self-awareness: "Walking down the fairway, shaken to the core," he concedes of his titanic collapse in the final round of the 1966 U.S. Open, "I doubt if I have ever felt as alone or as devastated on the golf course. I know what a train wreck the world is witnessing." In the end, the volume's real appeal isn't just the charismatic persona of Palmer himself--it's his ability to take aim at the birdies and bogeys of a full life on and off the course and assess them with clarity, charm, equanimity, and wit. --Jeff Silverman
Book Description
There has never been a golfer to rival Arnold Palmer. He's the most aggressive, most exciting player the game has ever known, a dynamo famous for coming from behind to make bold last-minute charges to victory. To the legions of golf fans known around the world as "Arnie's Army," Palmer is a charismatic hero, the winner of sixty-one tournaments on the PGA Tour and still going strong on the Senior PGA Tour. But behind the legend, there is the private Palmer--a man of wit, compassion, loyalty, and true grit in the face of personal adversity.
Golf-crazy as far back as he can remember, Arnie followed his dad, "Deacon" Palmer, the head greenskeeper, around the Latrobe Country Club fairways; as a youth he played at dawn before the club members arrived (the only time he was allowed on the course); by the time he graduated from high school he was headed for the national circuit. His rise to fame was meteoric, and by the 1960s he had emerged as one of the few American athletes the public truly cared about--a vibrant, daring, handsome sports celebrity who attracted wild crowds and enormous television audiences whenever he played and whose charisma propelled the explosion of enthusiam for golf in the sixties.
Writing with the humor and candor that are as much his trademark as his unique golf swing, Palmer narrates the deeply moving story of his life both on and off the links. He recounts his friendships (and rivalries) with greats of the game, including Jack Nicklaus, his enduringly happy marriage with Winnie, his legendary charges to triumph and his titanic disasters, and his valiant battle against cancer. Returning to the Senior PGA Tour with unmatched zeal after his recovery, Palmer reminded fans of his unfaltering heroism--and the world of golf is thankful.
From small-town boy to golfing legend, Arnold Palmer has lived one of the great sporting lives of the twentieth century. Now, with the help of acclaimed golf writer James Dodson, he has created one of the great sports autobiographies of our time.
Customer Reviews:
I REALLY DISLIKE AUTOBIOGRAPHIES BUT THIS ONE WAS GOOD!.......2004-08-27
Biographies by old warriors and old jocks usually are just not that good. This one is different. I have followed Mr. Palmer's career from the start, and after reading this work, felt I knew him much better. It was pure Palmer. The book is well written, informative and actually rather inspiring. As I suspected, I could not find one line in the book to lead me to a different opinion, one I have held for years, that this is a true gentleman. Wish there were more like him in the world of sports today. On the other hand, as hinted at above, Mr. Palmer has been one of my "heros" since I was eight years old or so, so, in my eyes, he could do little wrong, including writing his autobiography. Recommend the read for anyone.
The Caretaker of the Game Recalls His Life.......2003-06-11
This is fine book about a man with deep principles that have continued to deepen and nourish his life. What a life! From golfing legend to aviator to business entrepeneur to course designer to philantropist to family man to cancer recoverer et al.
One of the true heroes of our time. Growing up with this guy, we baby boomers need one like this to exude what it truly is about -- not the titles or record or such, but how one played the game and treated others.
Such neat memories from AP's life: earning nickels hitting over the ditch for ladies when young; his detest for media's microscopic view; his leaving the French Open after being mistreated by the Frogs (guess things never change); his opinion of the PGA's historical problems; his committment to his word; his enjoyment of piloting immediately after tournament, whether win or lose.
Guy is first class and leaves us with much to emulate and pass on. His family roots run deep and it's evident. Maybe influence some parents to such as well.
More enjoyable read than assumed. This guy has given so much to the development of the sport we love. His views should not be lightly glanced over.
Five for Arnie Only.......2001-10-18
I have to give this five stars because Arnold Palmer is my all time, all time sports idol, but I think the writing could have been better. That is evident in the people who thought Arnie was not candid about his feelings on Jack. In numerous other accounts, those feelings are explored in depth, so if there is a problem in that regard it is a failing in the author, not in Arnie. Also, I disagree that he doesn't see Jack as the best of all time, because he's said that numerous times. If there was rancor there on Arnie's part, it was probably because he felt that in Jack's younger days he didn't respect the fans enough, which is probably why I sense some rancor in some of the things Arnie now says about Tiger. In any event, this is a purely classy guy, who deserves all the accolades he's gotten, and this book gives a good glimpse into his soul.
A top-rate book for any sports follower.......2001-02-18
Palmer deserves his reputation as one of the most respected figures in professional sports. This book, with its down-home style is far above the mind-numbing blow-by-blow accounts of careers hardly justifying the ink and paper which clog the sports book shelves. For this, his collaborator, golf writer, James Dodson, must be due for a large share of credit. Arnold Palmer looks back over a fantastic career with no lack of humility, but with personal glimpses in sufficient depth to maintain the interest at all times. But more than this, Palmer gives fascinating insights to his business life and associations with the famous in other fields, from presidents to show business personalities, to his fellow-golfers over six decades, always making it clear that his first love is his family. Palmer may be a little old-fashioned in his outlook for some of today's readers and indeed the schmaltz might be a little thick at times, but this still rates as a sports book of excellent quality.
Surprisingly candid but needing perspective.......2000-06-01
I was pleasantly surprised by this book, by its candor and by how well-written it was. It minimized many warts, but there is still some bite to it.
Arnold Palmer defines what charisma is. Charisma has nothing to do with skill, he certainly was not the most skilled or accomplished golfer. His talent and achievements fall short of those of Nicklaus, Hogan and even Gary Player. Yet Palmer with his amazing charisma can arguably be considered the most important golfer in the last 50 years.
A few years ago I was watching a Senior tournament. My wife came by and became enraptured by what was on. That was extremely odd, she usually does not watch golf. She asked me who the man on the screen was that was so fascinating. It was Arnold Palmer.
The portraits that Palmer draws of his parents, especially of his father, are wonderful. His stories of growing up are wonderful and I feel a good sense of the man and his roots. And he spares no words in discussing the death of his best friend while he was at school at Wake Forest, a death he still somewhat blames himself.
However, the story about the Ku Klux Klan meeting and his mother's reaction to it (live and let live) is rather naïve.
Palmer brings up an interesting theory about his career, that his decision to stop smoking played a factor in it. Nicotine creates a dependency, physical and psychological, no doubt about it. Palmer feels that cigarettes helped him concentrate. But I admire him for not starting again, even if it cost him some strokes. So do his grandchildren and his fans, if he had not stopped, he would not be here today.
Palmer talks about several people in the golf world at length. He speaks highly, yet evenhandedly, of Clifford Roberts and the Masters. I daresay that there are others who would not agree with that opinion.
It is obvious that Arnold did not get along with Ben Hogan, but few people did. Hogan was a hard man and while Palmer speaks highly of Ben's skills, you can see that he did not like him personally.
The section about Nicklaus is fascinating. There is a major rivalry in many ways between the two of them, there is no question about it. Palmer makes some very astute observations about their divergent styles and personalities.
There is much greater kinship with Gary Player and the stories about Player are quite funny.
People have tried to analyze Palmer's appeal for years. One of the ideas is that he comes across as a blue-collar worker in a rich man's sport. It was him that drew fans across income and class lines.
To many people, Arnold Palmer is old-line establishment. He was a close friend of Eisenhower, and of Bob Hope. The book slows when he talks of the rich people he is friends with.
In particular, I was repulsed by a golf course he built with an airstrip within, so one can land one's private plane and then tee off. Give me a break!
And his apparent tolerance for many of the racist policies of the PGA is galling as well. Palmer could have done more to bring the PGA into the 20th Century. His decision to keep quiet and "work within the system" again shows naivity beyond belief.
But Palmer has some wonderfully nice things to say about President Clinton, so he is even-handed.
Palmer is not overly introspective, so he does not try analyzing his popularity very much. He does say that he loves to perform, to show off and entertain people. He talks of his joy the first time that happened.
A section of Feinstein's "A Good Walk Spoiled" discusses Palmer from a fan's perspective and also from a fellow player's. It gives a different perspective on the man.
Palmer has always been treated well by the press. But he deserves a lot of the credit himself. He tells a great story about Jim McKay getting all noisy and excited in the 1960 Masters and interrupting Palmer's concentration. Palmer could have snarled or been nasty. Instead, he just smiled and McKay realized what was going on. You can get more with the carrot...
At the time this book was written, his wife Winnie had just been diagnosed with cancer. She is no longer with us and my heart aches for Mr. Palmer and his loss. Palmer also talks little of his own fight with cancer and the remarkable recovery he has made. Nor does he talk about all the money he has raised for research of prostate cancer.
There is very little about his daughters as well, or his family life beyond his early married days.
In an ESPN show, one of those daughters said on-camera that her dad loved being Arnold Palmer. There are countless people who can testify of how nice a man he is.
Good book!
Average customer rating:
- Pin Seeker
- Perfect Lies lives up to promise and truly is "perfect"!
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Perfect Lies: A Century of Great Golf Stories
Manufacturer: Touchstone
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Customer Reviews:
Pin Seeker.......2005-03-15
This book is a collection of short stories. Many of them I found myself forcing myself to read completely. Others I found so disinteresting that I skipped to the end. Fortunately I didn't spend much on this book.
Perfect Lies lives up to promise and truly is "perfect"!.......2000-04-05
With stories as random as any other collection that I have ever read, Perfect Lies truly is the perfect book. Reading this collection cover to cover has left inspired and it also left me begging for a sequel. If you love golf and don't feel you have the heart and spirit of a true golfer, I highly reccommend that you purchase this book from Amazon! As soon as I finished each story, I found myself excited to begin the next. Make the purchase now! Don't hesitate one moment!
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