About The Book (provided by TLC tours) . . .
Golf can be a vexing and cruel game, and teaches us much about ourselves. It has been described as “a contest calling for courage, skill, strategy and self-control. It is a test of temper, a trial of honor, a revealer of character.” In the end, as with most of life, success hinges on the character and spirit we possess. But how would our tempers be tested if we suffered a career-threatening injury from a near-fatal car accident, as Ben Hogan did in the prime of his life? How would our honor be preserved if we faced constant derision and racism both on and off the golf course, as Charlie Sifford encountered his entire career? How would our character be revealed if cancer robbed us of the ability to play the game we loved, as it did to Babe Didrikson Zaharias? Would we give in to self pity, or persevere and keep going?
In Trials and Triumphs of Golf’s Greatest Champions: A Legacy of Hope, Lyle Slovick has pulled together the inspirational stories of six golfers and a caddy whose strength of character sustained them against the physical and emotional trials that threatened both their careers and lives. In an era when many athletes have lost their luster as role models, the people in this book—Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Charlie Sifford, Ken Venturi, and Bruce Edwards—offer lessons in perseverance, dignity, humility, and faith. Slovick tells each of their stories with rich detail, including the childhoods that shaped their characters, their rise in the world of professional golf, the crises they faced in their lives, their struggles to keep doing what they loved, and their refusal to give up. They had their flaws, to be sure. But when faced with a true test of will, all showed a strength that inspired those around them.
The first book to gather the stories of these golfers into a single volume, Trials and Triumphs of Golf’s Greatest Champions offers a unique blend of characters who shared the same love for a game that gave them the courage and fortitude they needed to face whatever life threw their way. This book will not only interest golfers and fans of the game, it will also inspire those who have suffered their own personal setbacks and show them they are not alone in their trials.
About Lyle Slovick 
Lyle Slovick is a historian and golf enthusiast, having played and studied the game for over 40 years. He has an M.A. degree in American History and is a former Assistant University Archivist at the George Washington University, where he worked for 13 years amongst the rare books and manuscripts in the Gelman Library Special Collections Department. Lyle enjoys telling stories that shed new light and offer new perspective on often well-trod subjects – what he describes as “augmented interpretation.” This book is an expression of his passion for the game of golf, which has taken him to various major championships around the world, including the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland, the home of golf. Lyle enjoys travelling, reading (especially biographies), and resides in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he currently works as a consultant for the United States Golf Association.
And I /We thought . . .(The Cowboy read it too)
And I thought interesting read for me. This is a book for golf enthusiasts. Although it was interesting it just wasn't a book 'for me'.
The author did do an amazing job and I became interested in the stories of the lesser
known gold legends. I wouldn't have known whether they were lesser known except the Cowboy pointed it out to me.
It is a well written lengthy book which is what I think the intended audience would like and it is filled with photo's.
The ends with a good 'Notes' section filled with the authors sources. Mr Slovick is detailed and does an excellent job of writing and detailing the stories of each of the individual players. The book includes the stories of 7 players including
Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Charlie Sifford,
Ken Venturi and Bruce Edwards.
I was impressed that Mr. Slovik included the female golfer Babe Didrikson Zaharias' inspirational story which is subtitled 'Spritual Muscle'.
And the Cowboy thought . . . (the man of few words) If I had purchased this book I would have been disappointed. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had borrowed from the library. The first chapter was hard to read and just didn't flow mainly because Slovik is sighting references and that just began to bog me down.
Most of the other chapters were interesting and easy to read.
The chapter featuring Charlie Stifford bogged me down again mostly because I felt there was more about the racial tension on during the time than about his personal struggles.
Overall we thought this was an o.k. Someone really interested in the game of gold might have enjoyed the book much more. Making it a good gift book for a golf enthusiast that
is really interested in the history of the game.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from I Tour Book Tours
And I thought interesting read for me. This is a book for golf enthusiasts. Although it was interesting it just wasn't a book 'for me'.
The author did do an amazing job and I became interested in the stories of the lesser
known gold legends. I wouldn't have known whether they were lesser known except the Cowboy pointed it out to me.
It is a well written lengthy book which is what I think the intended audience would like and it is filled with photo's.
The ends with a good 'Notes' section filled with the authors sources. Mr Slovick is detailed and does an excellent job of writing and detailing the stories of each of the individual players. The book includes the stories of 7 players including
Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Charlie Sifford,
Ken Venturi and Bruce Edwards.
I was impressed that Mr. Slovik included the female golfer Babe Didrikson Zaharias' inspirational story which is subtitled 'Spritual Muscle'.
And the Cowboy thought . . . (the man of few words) If I had purchased this book I would have been disappointed. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had borrowed from the library. The first chapter was hard to read and just didn't flow mainly because Slovik is sighting references and that just began to bog me down.
Most of the other chapters were interesting and easy to read.
The chapter featuring Charlie Stifford bogged me down again mostly because I felt there was more about the racial tension on during the time than about his personal struggles.
Overall we thought this was an o.k. Someone really interested in the game of gold might have enjoyed the book much more. Making it a good gift book for a golf enthusiast that
is really interested in the history of the game.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from I Tour Book Tours
This review is posted at the following retailers and on Good Reads
Purchase Links: Rowman & Littlefield | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
This review is posted at MyJourneyback-Thejourneyback
and the following blog party Create With Joy
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