Book Description

Within is a masterful assembly of the most personal details and gorgeous minutiae of Frank Sinatra's way of living--matters of the heart and heartbreak, friendship and leadership, drinking and cavorting, brawling and wooing, tuxedos and snap-brims--all crafted from rare interviews with Sinatra himself as well as many other intimates, including Tony Bennett, Don Rickles, Angie Dickinson, Tony Curtis, and Robert Wagner, in addition to daughters Nancy and Tina Sinatra. Illustrated with scores of photos, The Way You Wear Your Hat captures the timeless romance and classic style of the fifties and the loose sixties and is a stunning exploration of the Sinatra mystique. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

The REAL Frank
What a GREAT book about the Chairman Of The Board! The text and pictures are first-rate,and the captions quoting Frank are priceless. An absolute must for the genuine Sinatra fan, you will pull it off the shelf to read it for years to come.

A great insight to the King of Cool's thoughts and beliefs
What a great book! I have read this twice already and didn't put it down until the wee hours of the morning. To read this is to almost be talking to Mr. Sinatra one on one. The author did a great job to give the reader the essance of Sinatra and see what made him "Tick". His views on friends, enemies and lovers is blunt, honest to the point and quite refreshing in this day of political correctness. Alot of important details about how Sinatra looked and dressed are emphasized and are quite valuable to the overall picture. The heydays of the ratpack, relationship with Ava Gardner, Marilyn Monroe and his last love..his wife, are told with a tinge of regret and admiration, but lovingly honest as well. The man admitted his flaws but his style and personality made his admirers overlook them. I recommend this to anyone who wants to know what the late night swing life of the 1950's-early 60's were like. A fantastic read! Kudos to the author.

Live each day like it may be the final day...
There have been a lot of books written on Sinatra;but this one is excellent.Where does one start and what does one say?Zehme has zeroed in on what made Sinatra an icon and a one of a kind.Sinatra had a great line for all occasions;and even when there was no occassion,he had a line for that too.
"Fear is the enemy of logic"
"Don't despair.You have to scrape bottom to appreciate life and start living again."
"the big lesson in life ,baby,is never be scared of anyone or anything."
The book is a quick,concise and intrest holding read. The pictures chosen were excellent in portraying Sinatra's personna.
You can't go wrong with this book if you ever liked anything Sinatra said or did.

Life Changing Material
What can I say that hasn't already been said? About 3 or 4 years ago I wasn't doing so well. I was looking for some guidance, some help to define myself and create my own identity. I came across this book on a sales rack and picked it up. I had been a Sinatra fan for awhile, had a few books and some albums. But this, this was something special. You come away from it really knowing who Mr. Sinatra really was. You get to know the man behind the "legend."

Immediatly I began to change the way I was. I began to relax, not worry so much. I changed my wardrobe (For years I had been kind of a bum, really not thinking about my dress) to more of a "classier" one. I became less of a cheapskate and helped any of my friends who needed help. Why? Because that's what Frank did! Not to mention I discovered "his way" to mixing drinks the way with women.

One cannot talk about this book without mentioning the excellent writing of Bill Zehme. He really gets to the soul of the experiences. The writing has the same flair as Sinatra's speech, always hip, always to the point. It's no wonder he has written the liner notes for the live Rat Pack cds. He really "knows" Frank and the boys and shows it.

So read this book. Who knows what could happen? You may come away from it with a new view on life.

A way in Which A Hat Will Nevre Be Worn Again
Zehme does a spectacular job in bring what Frank Sinatra really was to the people of the world. It has an easy reading short story flow that will make you not want to put it down. Reading this book has enspired me to read more about Frank Sinatra and others by Bill Zehme. The Chariman would be proud. ... Read more

Book Description

The New York Times Bestseller

"Byron gets all the way to the heart of Martha Stewart."
— David McClintick, author, Indecent Exposure

Love her or hate her, the story of Martha Stewart and the history of her company are incredible. From the suburban kitchens of Connecticut to the boardrooms of Wall Street, her story is filled with power, drama, conflict, and tragedy.In this updated, new paperback, business writer and columnist Christopher Byron details the most recent events involving Martha Stewart. He gives you the inside story of Martha’s most horrible year, with headlines of possible insider trading and obstruction of justice, accompanied by the roller-coaster plunge in her company’s stock, and the deepening uncertainties regarding the future of her relationship with Kmart.

Out of an imagined bliss, Martha created a billion dollar media and merchandising empire devoted to the celebration of home, food, and family. Martha Inc. reveals how it all began, and then developed–and how it could all end.

"Enough dish to feed Martha Stewart lovers and loathers alike in this scrupulously reported bio."
–People magazine

"Jaw-dropping tales of excess and success."
–New York Times

"Christopher Byron has redefined the Martha Moment."
–USA Today

***A BusinessWeek Top Ten Business Book of the Year*** ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Just Desserts Is Better
Martha Inc. is a balanced biography of Martha Stewart, but short on recent details. I was hoping to read more about her life after she started Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, but most of the material is a re-hash of many events that one can read in Just Desserts. The epilogue contains information about Martha and Kmart after the tech bust and Kmart's bankruptcy, which is a nice follow-up. The author, Christopher Byron, seems a bit star-struck by Martha, too, calling her a "beautiful blonde" a few too times in the book. Martha Inc. is a good read for Martha followers like me -- subscriber to the magazine, viewer of her TV show, consumer of Martha products -- but to the reader who wants even juicier details, read Just Desserts first.

It's OK. Just OK.
The book was an interesting read, but that's about it. If you're looking for a book that shows the "insides" of her OmniMedia corporation, how the day to day operations work, how the corporation is structured, etc., you won't find it here.

If you are looking for a tell-all book on Martha, the woman, you really won't find it here either. (I presume Just Desserts is more of that ilk, although I haven't read it.) Many parts of her personal life, like her relationship with the millionaire Microsoft exec or any major details of her relationship with her daughter are entirely absent.

Instead what you get is kind of a amateur psychological overview detailing how Stewart's early childhood, specifically her relationship with her father, influenced the rest of her life, and more specifically how his behavior and treatment of others became her role model for dealing with everyone in her life.

It's a cliche that anyone of average intelligence could come up with. Coupled with the author's constant psychoanalysing, throughout the book the author seems hell-bent on constantly reminding us she was this poor little girl from Nutley, NJ. The two themes end up being repeated again and again and become monotonous by the end. Enough already. We get the point.

Perhaps Martha is just one-dimensional - a person with a sleep disorder and a job. And if we are to believe what's written here, that's pretty much her sole existence, aside from her constant reinventing of her past. And if that's the case, her efforts at creating the illusion of a deeper existence by appreciating the finer and simpler things in life is just that - an illusion. But the book doesn't really go much into Martha the human, but rather Martha the perception.

We're reminded of her marriage, but details behind it, during it, and after it aren't really fleshed out, simply used as another point that Martha inherited her father's temperment. We don't learn much about her current relationship with her daughter nor do we really have a clue as to what the rest of Martha's siblings do, other than a few work for her, and one hates her. Instead most of what we get are details from one of her former friends who seemed more co-dependent and willing to subject herself to the Martha-rath.

What is interesting however, in the book, is a pattern that evolves painting (although I believe unintentionally so) Stewart not as a real revolutionary with determined passion for bringing civility to a world spinning out of control, but rather someone who blindly fell into luck and whose fortune was not so much "made" by her, but rather invented by others. Examples such as her Kmart deal, her first book deal and the fact she didn't even write the book herself, etc. go to show that Martha not only didn't come up with these ideas, but barely was able to do the tasks required, or even negotiate the deals to her benefit. Instead, we learn, had it not been for her husband, or a whole cast of smarter characters, Martha most likely would still be making pies and catering Westport wingdings.

For me, these facts proved most the most fascinating piece of the book. ...

I don't love or hate Martha Stewart. But I am intrigued by her success. To that end, this book set out to explain how she came about such success. So anyone looking for a glimpse, not a detailed analysis of Martha's rise, will find the book at least entertaining. The author did research his topic and I certainly feel the information is accurate. But those who want more of Martha, won't get it here. And those who want a book more about the innerworkings and dealings of OmniMedia written with more than a pop-psychology, damsel in distress tone will be disappointed.

vampire Christopher
Christopher Byron's sensibility indicates that he is a small-minded, pathologically envious little weasle of a man, who tries to puff up his empty meaningless life by attempting to denigrate a great woman who has brought great beauty and grace to our culture. Unless you're one of those nasty-spirited people who find glee in joining the pack of hyenas who hate powerful, brilliant, talented women because the light from great women's souls is too bright and reveals too vividly your pathetic life, avoid this book. Byron is simply a mean little vampire, trying to suck money and notoriety from the life blood of Martha. Shame on John Wiley & Sons for publishing this book.

A successful woman always be treated unfairly
Successful women are deemed to be monsters all the time and in everywhere, from ancient to modern day and from east to west. Because Martha Stewart couldn't be that perfect and elegant, her other disgraceful side is uncovered by people who want to entertain public. That's main idea of this book, rather than to persent an insightful and true story.
In the content of this book, when Martha Stewart delivered her ideas of living to male executives, those men didn't understand how she can make money and lure audience by triming roses..... I don't need to mention the result that how successful she becomes. However, the above does reveal something, that man doesn't know what woman thinks and likes. He can't analyze or criticize a woman who he understands nothing.
In my country, it is like a curse that a woman succeeds in her career then her husband would become a loser.
I really hope people to be nice to these exhausted women.

okay, weird under-currents
If you're trying to figure out who Martha Stewart is, having only recently taken much notice of her thanks to scandal, this book provides an okay insight. I'd already assessed that she had a reputation for being bossy & determined, to say the least, so there wasn't much revelation here. I'd heard she had a strong temper. (this appears to be a greater crime if you're a woman) What struck me, however, wasn't Martha's domineering personality or her march to success, & failure, but what appeared to be an abundance of passive-aggressive people in her life. No doubt a strong, domineering person attracts them like flies, but their words are given like fact in this book, no motives questioned, though every one of her hangers-on (her husband especially) seem to have an agenda, and seemed quite intent on appearing victimized - though they clearly expected gain from their relationship with a powerful person. It just seemed kind of creepy to me. (especially the photograph of her wimpy husband hunkered down in an almost grotesquely passive position while she stands facing the camera - above.) Whatever else, one suspects Martha is better off without THAT guy!

One small thing struck me as odd - at some point in the book, the author uses Chicken Feeding as evidence that Martha over-worked her guests. This was stated as evidence to support some woman's assertion that she was misused, and Martha was 'mean.' Something about this struck me as peculiar. Chicken Feeding doesn't require hours of back-breaking labor. Maybe once a week, you fill up their feeders, you clean out their waterers. It occurs to me that such an act might be deemed fun, by someone who enjoys animals. The woman also mentioned having to 'let out the dogs.' How hard can THAT be? I hope she learns to pick real people rather than this type one day!

I can't say I liked Martha Stewart much before all this - but I felt more sympathy for her after reading about those who seemed... disingenuous at best. Martha struck me as overt, a wolf outright, & I think I'd rather deal with that than a horde of 'wolf in sheep's clothing' types, especially if they were befriending me with a notion of one day writing a book at my expense. (and increasing their own) ... Read more

Book Description

Fresh and objective-and not obsessed with mafia allegations--it is a book about Sinatra the good guy as well as the bad.From his himble beginnings in working class Hoboken, to his start in the business singing with Harry and James and Tommy Dorsey. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Soon after the Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole in 1911, his Anglo-Irish rival, Sir Ernest Shackleton, sought to top the feat by making his way from one end of Antarctica to the other on sledge. He set off with a crew of 28, including scientists and a movie cameraman, but the voyage turned disastrous when Shackleton's ship, the Endurance, became hopelessly stuck in pack ice, throwing the men (and the dogs brought to pull the sledges) into a desperate battle for survival. South is Shackleton's own account--one of the critical sources for Alfred Lansing's bestseller Endurance--of what it was like to be "helpless intruders in a strange world," a vivid narrative in which tales of Edwardian pluck are counterpointed with lyrical accounts of whales, penguins, and bizarre mirages. This story of a group of men who beat nearly impossible odds to escape death and make their way home is one of the all-time great survival stories. --Robert McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (31)

A modest, factual account of extraordinary leadership.
This a story of a "failed" cross continental expedition and its aftermath. It gives a continuous account of the unbelievable experiences of Ernest Shacleton and his crew of 27 men from the time their ship, the Endurance, is frozen in pack ice until their final escape some 20 months later. This unbelieveable feat was accomplished without a single loss of life!

The character and leadership abilities of Ernest Shackleton are impressive and facinating as he and his crew are pitted against forces of nature beyond the experience of most mortals.

I found much inspiration for dealing with life's everday experiences and challenges from reading this account. I have also read Frank Worsley's account of the "open boat" escape and a biography of Sir Ernest Shackleton. I will continue to expand this list of readings as I am able to find more accounts on the subject.

The lure of the Antartic and the study of these extrodinary adventures grips me as no other topic has for a long time.

A Gripping Tale
Ernest Shackleton has always been one of my heroes. The story of the Endurance and how the Shackleton Expedition kept body and soul together and made it safely home after losing its ship in the Weddell Sea ice pack is one of the most heroic episodes in the annals of human adventure. Hollywood could not write a more compelling epic.
I bought the book because I wanted to read a first-hand account of the Expedition, despite being somewhat afraid of its being bogged down in technical details. It was not. Once the scene was set, what the reader gets is a fast-moving, easy-to-read, and very gripping tale of the attention to duty, the guts, and the undying optimism it took to overcome what must have seemed like insurmountable odds. Shackleton's wry sense of humor and his willingness to take calculated risks and make hard decisions undoubtedly helped to inspire his men to work as a team.
You will sit on the edge of your seat as you read of the harrowing voyage in the tiny dinghy across the raging seas as Shackleton and a chosen few set out from Elephant Island in a desperate attempt to reach South Georgia. You will feel the weariness and the agony of his party as they seek to find a way to the other side through what had been considered inaccessible territory. And you will feel the sense of relief and triumph as the party stumbles into the whaling station where it was able to organize a rescue for the comrades left behind on Elephant Island.
That is really the climax of the story. Some readers may find the second portion of the book a bit anticlimactic, and it is, but that does not take away from the main story. The second part merely recounts the trials and tribulations of the other half of the expedition. The story of those men and their ship is interesting in its own right and is included here only because Shackleton, as overall commander of the expedition, included their story in his journal.
Sir Ernest Shackleton's story is an inspiration to me. His heroism shines in a world that produces too few heroes. I highly recommend this book to all who like a good story. Perhaps you will be inspired too.

the straight-ahead momentum of an ice breaker
His party stranded on an ice floe hundreds of miles from their destination, beyond the reach of the outside world -- even had the outside world known they needed help, or where to look -- his ship crushed by countless miles of pack ice and supplies running low, Ernest Shackleton spent not a moment in lamentation. He set about saving his crew and himself. They made their way to a small, desolate bit of island shore, from which Shackleton and five men journeyed 800 miles in a 22-foot open boat across the most dangerous sea in the world. A trek through miles of snow-covered mountain wilderness finally brought rescue. And everybody survived! Shackleton's is an epic tale of true adventure and derring-do, and he tells it with the straight-ahead momentum of an ice breaker diving into the pack. He sees beauty in the Antarctic, and he carries a touch of poetry (Browning, anyway) in his soul. He is also a detail man, and his flights of descriptive eloquence bog down amid facts, figures, wind speeds and diatomous striations. But this piling-on of minutiae proves riveting in the action sequences (most of the book). We feel like we are there. Having told his own party's tale, Shackleton gives a useful if anticlimactic account of the Ross Sea wing of the expedition - a story with its own generous measure of adventure, heroism and poignancy.

Poor Shackleton
Poor Shackleton. In all his life it seems he allways came late or second, allmost made it or, as in this story, did not reach his goal at all.
Most amazing in his last expedition is that no lives were lost, though probably encountering the worst circumstances of the expedions I know of.
Most remarkably are the stunning photo's by Frank Hurley. The negatives were either transported over ice and sea, or (no book provided me with that information) were allready developed on the ice. In my copy of this book (printed probably around 1935), but not found in all later editions, one of these negatives is in good quality full-colour, made in 1914!

Quite a tale of human survival
I want to dispell a couple of myths that seem to be pervading a handful of the reviews for this book. First, this book is NOT a cure for insomnia. This book is unbelievable exciting, and if it puts you to sleep so quickly, then your attention span has obviousley been severely warped by television or some other dumbing-agent. Secondly, the language, though written 80+ years ago, is not that challenging. I'm no linguist, but I didn't notice a difference between Shakleton's phrasing and word choice and the writing of today's writers. The fact that it was written so long ago does not make it boring. I think his book has aged quite well.

Was it the MOST exciting book I've ever read? Of course not! (That award likely goes to Helter Skelter) But Shakleton was not aiming to create an edge of the seat thriller (although he did come close!). He was only trying to, as acurately as possible, tell his heroic tale of survival in as much detail as he could provide.

The book's only shortcoming: I wish it included a much more detailed set of maps with which I could follow Shakleton's moves. I was constantly referring to the basic map at the beginning of my book only to be dissapointed by its lack of detail. There were countless references to islands that were not marked on the map in my book. ... Read more

Book Description

"I am a symmetrical man, almost to a fault," Frank Sinatra once said. It is a peculiar statement, because Sinatra is precisely asymmetrical. How to reconcile the enchanting crooner and the explosive bully? What to make of the smooth tones of his voice and the rough edges of his persona? To find the true correspondence between the public and the private Sinatra, the artist and the man, is no easy task. John Lahr, drama critic for The New Yorker and one of the finest writers on the performing arts working today, has done just this in Sinatra: The Artist and the Man

Lahr traces the trajectory of the "solitary latchkey kid" from Hoboken, New Jersey, into the stratosphere of fame. Sinatra kept company with presidents and mobsters; he kept up the front of a happy family life for as long as he could and then took up with the most desired women in the world--Ava Gardner, Lauren Bacall, Anita Ekberg, Marilyn Monroe, and many, many more. He led a life of manic gregariousness, yet spoke to the romance and loneliness of the "wee small hours of the morning." He desperately needed to exist within the gaze of the audience but at the same time would express aloofness toward his fans, saying he was happiest "when I'm onstage all by myself with an orchestra and nobody to bug me."

Sinatra: The Artist and the Man also examines the miracle of Sinatra's return--much of what is marvelous about Sinatra today is that we know who he is at all, so far did he fall in the late forties. Sinatra came back with a vengeance as Angelo Maggio in From Here to Eternity, a heartfelt and brilliantly comic performance that won him an Academy Award. At the same time, he reclaimed control of the recording studio and, with the help of an ingenious arranger named Nelson Riddle, perfected the swinging sound of his mature years. Sinatra then proceeded to build a media empire that has been the standard by which all other stars have measured their success. The artist and the man: Sinatra epitomized control and he raged uncontrollably, destroying friendships, love affairs, and a plate-glass window or two; he won fans around the world across three generations, created an unparalleled body of recorded work, and almost single-handedly invented the postwar American swagger and "the image," Lahr writes, "of perfect individualism."

Sinatra's life and art happen to be extremely well documented in photographs--from Weegee's hilarious pictures of bobby-soxer hysteria at New York's Paramount Theatre to William Read Woodfield's definitive and rare "Chairman of the Board" images. Sinatra: The Artist and the Man collects one hundred of the best photographs ever taken of Sinatra (some never before published)--representing his film work, the special intensity of his recording sessions, and the many swinging nights of this complex and fascinating man. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best photographic Sinatra book, ever.
This is the best-looking coffee table book on Sinatra, with most of the first half based on an excellent essay by John Lahr. For a thorough look at the music, you want Will Friedwald's book, but this one is a classic photo tour of Sinatra's career from Hoboken to the world. I could spend a 1000 words on the pictures, but you can travel back to the 1950s with this one. The large format photos bring home the personality of the subjects, who include Nat Cole, Ava Gardner, Dean Martin, Count Basie and other music icons of the last century. Very enjoyable evening read, also.

Superbly illustrated profile of Sinatra
Of the plethora of books on Frank Sinatra that have been fighting for space on the shelves since his death, this is the best.

A wonderful essay by John Lahr chronicles his life, from the tough streets of Hoboken to a room in Beverly Hills shortly before his 80th birthday. A now well chronicled life, but captured by Mr Lahr in all its complexity and contradiction.

At the heart of this life was his great gift - singing. At the very end, in the Beverly Hills room, surrounded by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan (what were they doing there?) Steve Lawrence and others, he insisted on singing the solo. It was his right then, as it had been his right throughout his life. And he was undeniable.

A beautifully designed and produced book, it is adorned with a perfect selection of photographs to complement the essay. Look at the faces on page 102, completely transfixed by "The Voice" and see what James Agee called "an erotic dream".

A must have for Sinatra fans, and anyone fascinated by popular culture. ... Read more

Book Description

Frank Sinatra was not only the greatest popular singer of the century - he was also the ultimate recording artist. In addition to introducing and perfecting a unique vocal style, he also functioned as his own in-studio "producer," personally supervising every aspect of his recordings, from choosing the songs and arrangers to making minute adjustments in mike placement. One of the thrills of listening to Sinatra is wondering how he did it - and "Sessions with Sinatra: Frank Sinatra and the Art of Recording" explains it all, bringing the dedicated fan and the casual music lover alike into the recording studio to glimpse the fascinating working methods he introduced and mastered in his quest for recorded perfection.

Musically, a representative sample of Sinatra performances and sessions are discussed in detail. Supporting commentary from musicians, arrangers, engineers, and Sinatra himself help to create a highly personal atmosphere, offering the reader a front row seat at a Sinatra recording session.

Milestone albums and songs are analyzed from multiple perspectives, affording the reader the unique opportunity to trace the development of a song or album from concept to orchestration to final recording. Each of the talented arrangers that Sinatra held in high esteem are profiled, with a study of the Sinatra-Nelson Riddle partnership emerging as the definitive musical marriage of the singers career.

Interwoven throughout is a concise history of the technical processes that occurred during the singer's career, including studies of the microphone, wax and lacquer disc recording, overdubbing, the Long Play record, magnetic recording tape, the transition from mono to stereo, and digital recording. The studios that Sinatra recorded in (at Victor, Columbia, Capitol and Reprise) are also discussed in depth.

Over 100 photographs of Sinatra working in the studio with musicians and arrangers, listening to playbacks, and, of course, singing visually enhance the text.Handwritten musical sketches, as well as reproductions of original orchestrations used at the actual sessions are also displayed. Never before have the details of the creative and technical processes been documented as completely as they are within this one volume.

Colorful, entertaining and authoritative, "Sessions with Sinatra" tells the story of how he created recordings that translated the most intense personal emotions into richly crafted performances of unrivaled expressiveness. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

One of two essential books about FAS's music!
Chuck Granata's book, placed on the shelf next to Will Friedwald's SINATRA: THE SONG IS YOU, gives the admirer of Sinatra's art a superb and fascinating look at WHY this man was the greatest popular singer of the 20th century. Where Friedwald goes into great detail explaining the unique musicianship of the man, Granata gives his readers the knowledge of how this artistry was captured and preserved for generations of listeners. Anyone interested in Frank Sinatra, great music, the recording industry or the technology of sound recording must own this book. In an age when innovation is often hard to come by, Granata truly has broken new ground! --Scott Allen Nollen, author of the forthcoming SINATRA AT THE CINEMA (Mindnight Marquee)

It's Like You Are There
I just finished reading this book and it is one, if you are a Sinatra fan, you can't put down. The book covers Sinatra's recording career from his first days with Harry James to the final Duets recordings. The detail is fantastic and at times, you feel you are actually in the studio with Frank. Even a discussion of the different types of microphones used is interesting. However, what makes this book one for every Sinatra fan's library are the extensive interviews with the people who worked with Sinatra in the recording studio. I am thankful the author took the time to obtain these first person accounts as they are what make the book well worth reading.

a Strong Book on FS
this is One of those Books that if you dig Frank SInatra as I do that you can't put down from start to finish.you get a complete overview of How He worked in the studio&the many sessions he did.Frank Sinatra was a very Prolific&Productive Man.you all the details about Arrangers&Producers,etc.. involved on the Many Recordings that went down.this Book Brings it for the Chairman of the Board.

Let's be Frank - THIS BOOK ROCKS!
Just a brilliant book on the man's A R T ...
As a Beatles/Sinatra devotee, a musician, AND having devoured The Beatles SESSIONS book by Mark Lewishon years ago,
I've been waiting for a book about Sinatra's Art forever -
though it came out in '99, I was recently made aware of it, thankfully so.
Ok, so I'm hip to music sooner than books...

Not as strategically laid-out as Lewisohn's, but awesome detail, as well. My Dad, who is a major Sinatra fan, too, read it in 3 nights, and he isn't a musician.
If you love Frank and would like to know more about his vocal technique, the history of the studios & microphones he used, the arrangers and producers he collaborated with -
GO GET THIS BOOK.
It will make you listen to the songs all over again through new,
inspired ears. Enjoy!

Great for Singers, Great for fans, Great for everyone!
Ok, I'm a singer and I have read this book in less than 3 days. But if you are just a fan you'll also get much fun from it. Sinatra was The Master and the author revealed a balanced trial of what to say between his clear rank as a fan and an interesting overview of Sinatra's work behind the scenes. It is also a reference to professionals. ... Read more

Book Description

Tom Callahan has written the seminal book on golfing great Tiger Woods. Woods, who has gone out of his way to protect his privacy, has never allowed himself to get close enough to a writer to be properly examined on the page. And, as a consequence, his fans know relatively little about him except what’s divulged in quick tournament interviews or the scarce information parsed out on occasion by one of his handlers. Which is to say, we know next to nothing about one of the most famous people in the world. Callahan, commonly regarded as one of the best all-round sports writers in the country, has followed Tiger around the world of golf for more than seven years, enjoying a certain access to the man and his family. He even went so far as to travel to Vietnam to learn the fate of the South Vietnamese soldier who was Earl Wood’s best friend during the war—and his son’s namesake.

Tiger is twenty years old when the book opens and twenty-seven when it closes. During those years, Callahan covered Woods at all the Majors, including the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open, culminating in Tiger’s heart-stopping race to make history by clinching the string of Majors affectionately nicknamed the Tiger Slam. As the pulse of golf was measured by the curve of his swing, Tiger made everyone’s heart skip a beat as he attempted to win the Grand Slam a year later.

Along the way, Tom Callahan hears from everyone who is anyone in the world of Tiger Woods, including Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, David Duval, Butch Harmon, Ernie Els, and, of course, Tiger’s rather ubiquitous mother and father. As much as we learn about Tiger—how he sees himself in relation to the courses he plays on and the players he has learned from and competed with—we also enjoy a bird’s-eye view of golf as it is now with Tiger on the scene, and as it was for
centuries before.

In Search of Tiger catalogs and dissects moments and influences in Tiger’s guarded life and unprecedented career—moments that unveil him, his awesome drive, and his enormous talent. Tom Callahan has written a classic of its kind, a book to rank with the best in its genre. He has done what few have even attempted—
he has found the real Tiger Woods. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not quite
This book is a compelling read for someone with a starting knowledge of and interest in Tiger Woods, but it doesn't quite make you feel like you've found Tiger. The book seems to be too choppy, more a series of isolated chapters thrown in that dont seem to connect. And there are too many questions that you are left with after reading it. If you're going to brag that you covered Tiger at all his first 8 majors, why have chapters only on the 3 in 2000? And if you're going to focus on those, why soak them with background info and then glaze over the tremendous performances? Callahan's description of Tiger during the 2000 PGA is particularly weak; why he decides to condense that great final round with May and the great back nine and the putts on 18 and 16 the second time around into about a page and a half befuddled me. And most of all, why devote so much of the book to learning about golfers other than Tiger? It's true that if you were to write the definitive, thoroughly detailed Tiger book, you could not ignore Lefty, Sergio, Ernie, etc. But when the chapters on the other golfers seem to take up half of this relatively short book, you've gone too far. It's true that this book is well written and will provide you with some nice tidbits about Tiger (such as the fact that his mother was the one to get him to wear red on Sundays), but you will likely leave the book hoping for more detail, more coherence, and more depth.

Tom Callahan Pens the Definitive Tiger Bio
There is simply no sportswriter on earth with as much meticulous insight into the minds of both the golfing legends of old and the stars of today as Tom Callahan. Admittedly, my expectations were lofty going in here, esp. after reading the astounding accolades bestowed upon Callahan on the book jacket alone -- from the likes of Costas, Kornheiser, Jenkins, Reilly, Nicklaus, and others. Thankfully, for once, they were all right. This book is indeed the whole package on Tiger, presented (ingeniously) not only via Tiger's own eyes, but those of his peers and predecessors. The golf history in the book is cleverly detailed yet pleasurably digestible. The first hand interviews with Tiger and his family are unprecedented. And the "Journey", for anyone REALLY interested in Tiger, is remarkably satisfying. Kudos to Tom Callahan for giving the sports world the preeminent Tiger bio.

Fantastic! A golf writing double-eagle**
Let me say this up front --- Tom Callahan is an immensely gifted writer. He is able through words to take the trite/boring and turn it into the phenomenally sublime. With an encyclopedic knowlege of all things golf along with up-close-and-personal profiles of current & past players, coaches, and associated fathers, he paints through annecdotes a circular, but no less complete picture of Tiger and his place in the great game of golf. This book is NOT per-se, a purely biographical sketch of Tiger Woods, but more of a wholistic and entertaining presentation of the past, present and future of the game and Tiger's place in it. If you love golf, watch golf, and love to read, you'll get more "bang for your buck" here than any other golf book I know of! And I've read quite a few....

Not found yet
When the writer of a book on the greatest sporting celebrity since Muhammed Ali is a bit of a celebrity himself, there's a clash of egos. The problem with this book is that Tom Callahan, author of In Search of Tiger does not find Tiger Woods at all. Tom finds Tiger's father and a tiny part of his mother, and he does find other players (quite a lot of them) but this book reveals little about Woods himself. There is no question that Tom Callahan is an excellent writer who knows the sports industry intimately. Anyone who loves the sport of golf will probably enjoy this book. It is an easy and worthwhile read. But for anyone looking to reveal the mystique behind Tiger Woods, this book dissapoints.

KEEP SEARCHING
In this latest book about Eldrick Woods, the author takes a different approach in unraveling one of golf's greatest players. Readers should be cautione; this is not a conventional biography of Tiger Woods. What you are given are various anecdotes about Tiger loosely tied together within the historical framework of golf. From the outset this sounds good but you know even less about Tiger than when you started out and find out more about those who have had anything to do with his career.

Why learn about Mark O'Mear, Arnold Palmer, Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els, Jack Nicklaus and other golfing greats and then call your book In Search of Tiger? The book is less about Tiger and more about the development of the game and those who impacted upon it. All of the facts about Tiger's career, business and family can be found in other books. Our author, Tom Callahan has sloopily sewed together a series of articles about other golfers and nongolfers who know Tiger and then you aren't sure if they know him at all.

I must admit that the writing is good. The historical context and relationship of the players to the game and their fathers is interesting. I did expect more about Tiger and less about every Tom, Dick and Harry who supposidly know him. Tiger Woods fans can add another mediocre book to their collection about Woods but if you want a definitive work on the champion try another text. Keep Searching. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (28)

Insightful, But Sophomoric
I love the Lakers and I love Shaq, and the truth is that I would have bought and read this book no matter how badly it was written, simply because I am intrigued by the inner workings of an NBA team and the private life of such a huge superstar athlete. For that purpose, this book was exactly what I wanted.

With that said, my objective opinion of the book is that it was half intrigue, and half boredom. I liked Shaq describe his childhood in New Jersey and all the hardships he and his family endured. I also enjoyed learning about all the drama that unfolded within the Laker organization when Del Harris was coaching the team. Shaq proves to be a daring author, not hesitating to tell the reader what he really feels about certain players, coaches, and members of management. I didn't really care for the play-by-play narration of the games that the Lakers played against the Indiana Pacers during the NBA Finals. It was long and unnecessary. Shaq also tends to repeat the same information over and over again. In fact, I can recall one instance where he said the same thing twice on the same page.

If you're a Shaq fan you'll enjoy this book. However, in strict literary terms, this book seems like the rough draft of something that should have been revised and drastically shortened. However, Shaq isn't really an author, so the reader has to keep this in mind and give him some leeway. Nevertheless, I still recommend this book.

Everything you wanted to know about the NBA
I never knew what a pro athlete's life was like till I read this book. Everything from the conflicts in the locker room to the thrill of winning a championship to the benefits of strip clubs - this book has it all.

What touched me the most was Shaq's relationship with his family. When you watch him on the court, you see him as this unstoppable force and not as a father or son. He really opens up and talks about personal issues and situations that are both honest and touching.

But I think the thing that really impressed me was he sense of humor. Didn't know the big guy had it in him. I've never been a Laker fan, or even a Shaq fan, but I do respect him more and understand the life that has chosen him. I wish him the best in his carrer and hope he keeps practicing those free throws.

what a big joke!!!!!!!!!!!
this book is complete garbage....it has no moral or purpose just a bunch of bragging(ALTHOUGH IM A BIG LAKER FAN!)

Shaq Talks Tough
'Shaq Talks Back: The Uncensored Word on My Life and Winning in the NBA' is a giant of a book written by a sporting superstar. Shaquille O'Neal shoots clean baskets from every part of the literary court, delighting and dazzling the reader with his unique writing style. He has as much facility with language as he does with the ball, and his words bounce off the page with effortless grace.

There are many memorable encounters played and replayed throughout the text, but for me, the one that best epitomizes Shaq's sporting philosophy is seen on pages 68-81. It relates to the famous 'International Incident of 1996', and O'Neal is candid about his pivotal role:

'I first saw him in Europe and I'll never forget his name; Teodor Dobrowski. He played center for the Warsaw Warriors and he was a giant. Great skills. Hands the size of frisbees. By all reports a standup guy. So when he told me he wanted to settle in America, I arranged for him to try out for the Lakers. Even let him stay at my place. Eat my food. Drink my beer. Date my girl. He wanted to show his gratitude so he offered to sell me his family castle in Krakow for only $7000. I gave him cash. Big mistake. There was no castle. Not even a family. The bum scammed me. So I stuck him on an ageing Aeroflot and wished him luck. All of it bad. End of story. And he got those cuts and bruises when he fell out of the cab on the way to the airport. Honest. If I'd known that diplomats would later be recalled, two embassies closed, the Secretary of State ordered back to Washington and the UN General Assembly reconvened, I might have actually paid the cabfare before running away at the terminal. Do I regret sending the grifter back to Warsaw? Never. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's being touched by a 10-foot Pole.'

When 'Shaq Talks Back', you'd better listen. Better still, read this wonderful book.

Shaq's life Uncensored
Shaq takes you through his earlydays growing up in Newark, New Jersey and talks about his familyand friends. Then later on in the book, he talks about how he started playing basketball, beingbigger than most kids his age. He holds nothing back, always speaking what's on his mind. Towards the end of the book, he describes how the 2000 L.A. LAKERS got it all together and beat the Indiana Pacers in the finals. If you're a fan of Shaq or the Lakers, this book is for you. ... Read more

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. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good Book
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"
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.

THE FIRST COACH
Children are first introduced to a particular sport through their parents. If they show promise or enthusiasm in the sport their parents are their main supporters. Eldrick "Tiger" Woods was blessed to have parents who recognized his gifts and supported him in developing his talent as a golfer. You too, as a parent can do the same for your child as you review the lessons that Tiger's father imparted to him.

Earl Woods shares with his techniques in both raising and training his son, Tiger, as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He describes how to start off your child in golf at an early age, developing drills for them in their practice and keeping them focused on their game. What I found most important about Earl Wood's presentation is his stress on building a solid relationship with your child. Once your child learns to love, trust and feel secure with their parent then there isn't anything that he or she can't handle. Golf is just one means of developing the discipline, integrity and positive behavior that one needs throughout life.

This is not a detailed book on how to play golf. Earl Woods doesn't go into an analysis of his son's techniques. He gives the basics and his own methods which worked with Tiger. His voice is one of advice to parents in training your child for golf. It is up to you to accept or reject Earl Woods' pointers.

After reading this book will your child turn into another Tiger Woods? Probably not because each child is unique but you and your child will develop a better relationship with one another due to your mutual love of the game. Incorporating the principles of Woods' instructions can serve as a launching point
in enabling your child to improve on his or her game. Woods stresses throughout the book that as a parent you can use golf to raise a child who will be a champion in life. Golf is the vehicle but the foundation is the love of the parent and child.

If you are introducing golf to your child I highly recommend this book. It gives solid and practical advice in getting your child interested in the game. Earl Woods also provides a list of associations and clubs that sponsor golf lessons and tournaments in developing young players for the sport.

A Must For Any Parent
If you've admired Tiger as a golfer, wait til you read his father's account of how he got that way. What a great tribute to the parent/child relationship...a powerful reminder that respect between parents and their children is earned, not given. Also, terrific advice on how to teach your kid to golf at an early age, and wonderful pictures of Tiger and his family

Watch Tiger on TV - don't buy the book
This appears to be a book rushed into print by Earl Woods and a ghostwriter, written just around the time of Earl's bypass surgery. The book is very shallow and doesn't address any of the interesting milestones of Tiger's golf development. Nor does it deal with any interesting personal issues - i.e. how did he deal with losses, how did he relate to his peers in school, etc. I would not recommend this boo ... Read more

Book Description

Shackleton's 1914 Antarctic expedition is trapped when their ship, the Endurance, gets stuck in pack ice. It is crushed nine months later. The crew camps on ice floes, floating north for five months, until they reach Elephant Island. Shackleton and five men then sail the 800 miles to South Georgia Island in a lifeboat to get help. The author, Worsley, was the ship's captain and guided the small boat voyage. A most remarkable journey, in which not a single man was lost, despite the unspeakable hardships. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Adventures of spirit and flesh
Frank Worsley's description of the boat journey he made with Shackleton and two other crewmen of the Endurance is remarkable not only for the adventure it tells, but for the language it is told in and the largeness of spirit that it demonstrates. When I first read this--a battered copy in the local library--I felt that every teenager in the United States should have the opportunity to experience the strength of character, understanding and fine prose style Worsley demonstrates in this tremendously exciting adventure story. His description of Shackleton's leadership qualities is insightful and generous. His own navigational miracle of bringing this tiny craft across the wildest seas in the world to the relatively small island of South Georgia is understated. This book is inspirational in the best sort of honest and clear way. I have been to Elephant Island and S. Georgia and my admiration is increased by the experience.

worsley is worth it
Among all Shackleton's achievements and triumphs, great as they were, his one failure was the most glorious. By self-sacrifice and throwing his own life into the balance he saved all of his men.
This is how Worsley ends his book that describes exactly how Shackleton was able to save them all. Though for this part of the journey, the amazing boat trip to South Georgia, perhaps it was not so much Shackleton as Worlsey who saved them all. Written by a down-to-earth practical man it is easy to get completely caught up in the story. Even after finishing the book, you will find it hard to stop thinking about this fantastic achievement of navigational skills.
Before reading this book, I strongly recommed the book "Endurance".

Fascinating first hand account
This book is well written. I've read a great deal about Shackleton and seen videos, movies, DVDs and Hurley film. But this book provides detail where the second hand accounts do not. If you like sailing, you will especially love this book. The testament also highlights some areas of disagreement between Sir Ernst and Worsley, not of much import, but also not often discussed. Overall a required addition to any Expidetion library. But most of all, perhaps of the the greatest adventures ever told.

Buy this book!!
I have read several books on Shackelton's expedition and this is by far the best. Worsley's wonderful description of the journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia will keep you turning the pages. Don't hesitate, buy it. You won't be disappointed!!

The Best!
There are longer and "prettier" books out there of this amazing tale, most of which I own, but for me, it all started with Frank Worsley's little book. None read as fine as his. He speaks in the language of the time and hooks you on words like "hoosh" and "Yoicks", but never loses you. It's a very personal account that on occassion reads a little flat because he is, after all, recording a journey. On the other hand, during the worst of their wear, which is most of the time, he shares his take on everyone's thoughts, and then gives you an amazing piece of his own. I am rarely "goosebumped" by any author but Worsley finds a way. I've only read it once but it is "dog-eared" beyond belief thanks to all the friends I have passed it on to! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

the great tiger
I truly enjoyed the biography of Tiger Woods by Bill Gutman. I thought it gave good insight into what makes him the champion that he is. It is the story of one family's search for the American dream and the glory of finding it. It details how the dreams of Tiger's faher became his own. All the sacfrifice that he and his family made are detailed and makes his accomplishments all the more spectacular. I think this is a great read for all those who are fans of drive and determination and not just for those who love golf.

Great for the hacker in all of us
This is an exciting, and compelling biography about the hottest player on the PGA Tour. This biography begins from when Tiger was two years old, and already hitting plastic golf balls in his front-yard. From not being allowed to play on certain golf courses, to being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to play in tournaments, Tiger Woods is the jump-start that the PGA Tour needed. The bond between Tiger and his father grows from when Tiger won his first tournament as a youngster to his record setting performance at The Masters Tournament. This bond is seen throughout the entire biography. This biography is thilling, and threaded with compassion. Definetly for the avid golfer. ... Read more

Book Description

Writer and media personality George Plimpton not only tells Shackleton's story, but recounts his own recent adventure following Shackleton's footsteps through the bleak, beautiful seas, and islands at the bottom of the world.

A groundbreaking series of illustrated biographies, A & E Biographies combines the smart, concise approach of the hugely popular A&E Biography television series with the illuminating visual approach of DK Publishing to present the lives of history's most colorful figures.

Television's longest running, single-topic documentary series Biography on A&E Network is not only one of the most successful shows -- it is one of the most popular. Biography has profiled more than 900 people in its fifteen years. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Photos But Tainted Text
My high opinion of the TV show "Biography" and of DK books dropped after I read this annoying book. As the book's promotion says, George Plimpton chronicles his 2002 trip to Antarctica and interweaves personal comments with text about Shackleton's incredible story. The problem is Plimpton's comments and photos of himself refect self-absorption and often are irrelevant to Shackleton's amazing story. In a bizarre move, Plimpton fails to mention the book "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" by Alfred Lansing -- which is the "bible" of the Shackleton story -- but he mentions lesser works. The excellent photos in this book prompted me to give it two stars instead of one.

A BIO AS APPEALING AS ITS SUBJECT AND TV SHOW!
Like the TV series on which they are based, the series of
"Biography" books are accessible approaches to the men and
women on whom they focus. (They are also a great marketing idea.
Give that boy/girl a raise!) Each volume is written by a
well-known and/or respected author; "Ernest Shackleton" was penned by George Plimpton, who traveled across Antarctia aboard an icebreaker to better capture Ernie's spirit for this bio. The books are pithy and pleasing, highlighting and spotlighting (in concise detail) its subject, and not shrinking away from controversy or scandal. The photos are terrific; the layouts are done in that appealing, yet not over-the-top, DK style. Think of these books as printed soundbytes that are as interesting and insightful and welcome as their small-screen counterparts. ... Read more

Book Description

All eat from the bowl of life. Tiger Woods just has a bigger spoon.

So writes Curt Sampson in his ground-breaking account of the current state of golf. Tiger Woods has changed golf forever. His mix of power and skill combines with his extraordinary business savvy to make Woods the biggest global sports figure since Michael Jordan. Like Jordan, Woods' competitive signature is equal parts inspiration and intimidation.

But what about the other guys? It's either catch up or give up for the rest of the golfing world, and in Chasing Tiger Curt Sampson exuberantly charts the state of the game as the new century unfolds. There are Duval and Mickelson and a host of other stars, of course, but there are also the junior golfers and their parents, corporate America, agents, instructors, fans, and the media.

Just as he did in his controversial bestsellers Hogan and The Masters, Sampson digs deepto uncover stories that wouldn't otherwise be told. There's the golf course employee in Austin whose admiration for Woods leads him to spend every waking minute mimicking his hero (including the trademark pumping fist, only here it's on the practice green). There's the awestruck unemployed talk show host who stretches the bounds of good taste and hero worship with his Web site, Tigerwoodsisgod.com. At the other end of the scale is Charles Howell III, skinny as a 2-iron, a up-and-coming player who has been tapped by Jack Nicklaus to be the next great challenge to Woods. Howell is the anti-Tiger: a man unfailingly friendly to fans and media, recently married, opinionated, and entirely lacking in caution, yet he struggles to earn enough money to make the Tour.

Curt Sampson has written an affectionate yet wary account of one extraordinary man's impact on the world of sport. By turns moving, hilarious, and eye-opening, Chasing Tiger is a wonderful addition to the golf canon. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Tiger as a Seismic Event
Beyond the aggrandizing sports articles and simplistic examinations of Tiger's stroke or sheer ability lies the story of his effect on the PGA.
Woods has changed golf the same way an eathquake can change a small, extraordinarily inclusive, community.
The landscape is different. Familar direction markers no longer exist and are replaced by new totems of accomplishment and mountains of greatness.
Instead of toeing the party line of Tiger's perfection Sampson examines Tiger's effect on the PGA community.
Anyone curious about the innerworkings of the PGA, with all its glory, success, and abject drudgery, should READ THIS BOOK.
Anyone interested in Tiger Woods and his permanent effect on golf SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.
This book tells you what he has done to the game and how the playing field has changed for every single player who picks up a club.

Wait for the paperback -- if at all.
I have enjoyed Sampson's writing in the past, but this book disappointed. As advertised, it really is a book about the chasing of Tiger Woods -- by competitors, fans and media. One can enjoy the "behind the scenes" looks at the tour, and if you are interested in Charles Howell III, you will get a bunch of info here. I felt the book headed off in too many directions, the metaphors were WAY overblown, and the lack of focus was frustrating. If you are interested in the peripheral insights to be gained, or simply love Sampson -- wait for the paperback!

A Great Read!
I read this book straight through! "Chasing Tiger" is not yet another Tiger Woods biography, but an inside look at Tiger Woods through the eyes of other professional golfers, groupies, media people, caddies, etc..Curt Samspon tells a truthful, and sometimes shocking, account of what it's like to be on the tour with Tiger. This is a great book, not just for golf fans, but for anyone who is interested in more than what they read on the sports page. Curt Sampson has great style, and you should read this book.

Chasing Tiger by Curt Sampson
A very enjoyable read....as usual, I hated for Curt Sampson's book to be over!

Perception vs. Reality...Tiger Woods
I loved this book!...whatcha see is not usually whatcha get on the PGA tour...Curt Sampson has captured the reality of Pro Golf, which is not seen on network TV or The Golf Channel. As a former PGA Tour caddy I can vouch for the fact that while the TV cameras are rolling these guys put on a good show but off-stage they won't give you the time of day...Curt Sampson has the inside track on what really happens inside the ropes on the PGA Tour and he shares it with all of us...Tiger, Phil, Charles Howell III...nobody is immune from criticism...and that's the way it should be...after all... aren't golfers people like you and me?...a good book...fast read...and right on the money...Capt. Randy Brown ... Read more

Book Description

At the heart of Tiger Woods' accomplishments is the special bond he shares with his father, mentor and first goal coach, Earl Woods. In Playing Through,?Tiger's dad shares the never-before-told story of the Woods family. Part autobiography and part ultimate insider's biography of Tiger, Playing Through is Earl Woods' opportunity to have his say and pass on lessons he has learned along the way.

For the first time, Earl faces the critics and cynics, addressing head-on the controversies and rumors that have grabbed headlines. In this brutally honest account of life with Tiger, Earl reveals how Tiger struggled to adapt to life as a pro, the racial attacks and hate mail, the painful sacrifices the family made throughout the years and the real reasons Tiger left Stanford after just two years. He also tells the untold story of what happened the night before Tiger's Masters' victory and the unique philosophy behind all of Tiger's actions, professional and personal.

Earl also shares his own stunning story. Raised by his sister after losing both of his parents by the time he was 13, he chose the military over a promising baseball career. He reveals the racial barriers that tortured him throughout his Army days, how he found his calling in the Green Berets and shocking details about his two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he met and befriended the original "Tiger," for whom his famous son is named. Woven throughout his recollections is the legacy of his mother and the lessons she imparted to him about family, faith and hard work -- all of which helped Earl to nurture and guide his son's talent.

A tribute to Tiger, to the powerful role of family and the bonds between fathers and sons and to the sport that has made so much possible for the Woods family, Earl's words will inspire all of us to work hard, dream big and "play through" life's challenges. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

BEHIND THE TIGER
Who was the man who was behind Tiger Woods to mold and shape him into the champion that he is today? The answer is Earl Woods, Tiger's father, friend and confidant. Playing Through is Earl Woods' own biography of what it is like to be the father of one of golf's greatest stars. One would expect a cohesive and comprehensive story about Earl's life and that of his son. Instead you are presented with a man who is uncapable of seperating himself from the persona of his son. Earl Woods spends the majority of the time speaking about his son rather than himself. How strange, since the book is supposed to be about Earl Woods. Unfortunately it ends up as a promotional text about Tiger.

Earl Woods is a man who dealt with many obstacles in his life. As a teenager he lost his parents, struggled with a career choice, dealt with the racism in the Army and a failed marriage. Then after his divorce and remarriage a child was born and Earl devotes his life to him even at the expense of his own marriage. At this juncture we hear no more about Earl. Tiger becomes the focus which is a shame since Earl's life is far more interesting.

Throughout the work Earl tends to put people on a pedestle to the point where they become unreal ( his mother, his brother-in-law, and the orignial Tiger, his friend). He is defensive about any criticism about his son and doesn't tell us much about his relationship with his other children. Earl is so emeshed in his youngest son's identity that he becomes a bore. Surely he could have told us more about him