5 comments about The Downhill Lie: A Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport.

1. Hiassen's recollections of golf with his father and golf with his young son struck a nostalgic chord. It seems that he knew he was being a real pain sometimes with his dad but at this point he cherishes the memory of Sundays playing golf with dad--- and then he enjoys watching his own son learn the game. It brought a lump to my throat. This book brought a number of audible chuckles too, particularily his purchase of all those weird golf "aids" that we always see in the back of golf magazines.
   Play on!



2. Carl Hiaasen shines a relentlessly humorous light on the agonies and the ecstasies that are well known to all amateur golfers. A must read for golfing adicts.



3. Hiaasen's recent book is not more of the same. This one is NOT funny. If you are a golfer, love a golfer, or are related to a golfer, this book rings WAY too true. Bought it, read it, passed it on to my golfer son-in-law, and asked him to ignore the parts about politics and just wince at the rest of it. I've read all of Hiaasen's books and as many of his articles as I could lay hands on here in Michigan and when visiting Florida, and have always loved his stories. I would hope, for the sake of his readers, that he goes back to his stories and lets the truth- telling lie there, near the cup and the alligator.



4. In true Hiaasen form, this is a humorous look at what many contend to be a serious sport. I was laughing out loud by page 20, and appreciating his serious rant by page 38 as he decried the development of ever more golf courses and golf course subdivisions chopping up his beloved Florida landscape. Hiassen is a great writer, one of the best at using current situations to develop biting humor.
   This personal account of his return to golf after a 30-year hiatus is a great read.



5. I very much enjoyed this book as I do all of his books. This is a light fun and quick read. Being a duffer myself I can relate to what he went through.

5 comments about How I Play Golf.

1. This book is actually used by many instructors - it gives detailed written and photo examples of instructions from the master.



2. Tiger Woods' book, How I Play Golf, is a thorough self-examination of his game, from green to tee (sic) and everything in between. Filled with fantastic photographs that do half the battle of ingraining the image of good technique into your mind, the book examines each element of the game and the swing, as Tiger plays it. He caveats at the beginning that his goal is not to tell us how to play, but rather to tell us how he plays and what works for him.
   
   The book is also filled with lots of fun anecdotes which, now that it's 2008, are practically historical given that 2005 hadn't even started at the time the book was published.
   
   It's definitely a practical book, filled with tips and advice to try and implement into your own game. Tiger starts with putting and moves back to the full swing with the driver, visiting chips, flops, high-irons and fairway woods along the way. He also talks extensively about the mental game and the importance of fitness.
   
   The only thing that I felt was missing was a comprehensive section on practice. While Tiger talks throughout the book about elements of practice there's no one place where he provides a simple outline of how he approaches practice or how we should approach practice. Granted it's different for someone who rolls out of bed every morning and hits 300 balls on the driving range in his backyard but amateurs like us could probably use some advice on effective practice technique.
   
   A great book that I've read once cover to cover and have already re-read a number of sections numerous times.
   
   Enjoy.



3. Excellent book. Not a how to of golf but rather a how Tiger plays. Helped my game immensely. Espcially my putting. I would recommend this book golfers of all levels.



4. An exceptional book with good illustrations & bought at a very good price. Postage time was VERY DISAPPOINTING - expected to receive within 3-4 weeks (standard Air Freight) but took 6 weeks!!! This was our 1st purchase on Amazon & we were concerned and had almost given up on it! Expect DELAYS on overseas purchases.



5. If you enjoy golf and spend enough time to beat balls at the driving range, this book will give you a lot of tips how to improve your skills.

5 comments about The Greatest Game Ever Played: A True Story.

1. This I believe was Frost's 1st golf history book and previously all his other work had been fiction. Which explains the fictional feel of this book. Frost cites conversation and internal thoughts from the characters to an exent that he can't possibly know if that's what happened. In addition to compromising accuracy, it also makes for a book that's about 2x as long as it needs to be. I found myself often scanning large sections rather than reading every word.
   
   Even with that flaw he still produced a must-read golf history book, that many non-golfers will also enjoy. He excels at putting things in historical and social context, and building fiction-like edge of your seat tension. He's also a master at researching the lives of the main characters, from their beginnings to their endings in the must-read "Afterward" section.
   
   In this case the main characters are British legendary professional golfers Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, US amateur golfer Francis Quimet and his young caddie Eddie Lowery. Although Mr. Quimet's story is reasonably well known in golf circles, Eddie's isn't. And in some ways Eddie is actually the most interesting character, if not the most important. The story goes that young Eddie escaped the grade school truant officer every day so he could caddie for Quimet. And it was Eddie's inspiration, tenacity and timely advice that pushed the young unaccomplished amateur Quimet to an historic conquest over then golfing titans Vardon and Ray.
   
   In Frost's 3rd golf book "The Match" released last year, Eddie would again enter the picture. Now a middle aged successful businessman, he sets up a historic match between the 2 best amateurs of the day (Ken Venturi and Harvey Ward) and the 2 best Pros (Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson). At stake is a presumed $10,000 personal bet (if not more) but even more importantly a seminal event in the future direction of American golf: would the essence of the game remain in the hands of high-minded amateurs who played for pride and honor, or pros who at the time carried the stigma that playing for money compromised their golfing integrity?
   
   In this 2nd effort, Frost clearly refines his style by eliminating much of the characters' internal and external "filler" dialogue, and the result is a book with better momentum and few if any question marks on accuracy. Not coincidentally, "The Match" is about 1/2 the page count of "Greastest Game."
   
   In any case, both of these books are clearly "can't miss" and go together like Godfather's I & II.



2. I found this incredible interview regarding how the game of Golf has changed over the years. You wouldn't believe the evolution! If you have any interest in the history of Golf, this is a must read. If you want to become even more knowledgeable on the subject, scroll to the bottom of the interview and get in touch with the author. After reading, I guarantee you will be able to lead the most interesting discussions and impress your friends!
   
   http://www.golfclubatlas.com/interviewroden.html



3. I loved the movie so I thought I'd try the book. I was not disappointed. In fact, I believe a second movie based on this book, focussing on the early career and post "Greatest Game" highlights of Harry Vardon, would produce an excellent movie, as well.
   
   My older brother recently retired. My gifts to him were a Caribbean Cruise and a copy of this book to read as he suns on the deck of the cruise ship. When presented with both (gifts), he noted that he too had seen the movie and seemed just as excited to have received a copy of the book, as he was the cruise.



4. This is a terrific book and I'm not even a golfer. I didn't care much for the movie; a buddy of mine recommended reading the book and WOW, it's so much better. I'm not sure who wrote the movie but Frost does a great job of telling the story and holding on to your interest. I loved the biographical background and personality insights he offers. He's a terrific writer.



5. Great detail is setting the stage of how society viewed golf and its champions and how this tournament took that to the next level in popularity. Gives great detail intothe lives of Vardon, Ray, Francis and even Walter Hagen at the beginning of his career. Great for anyone who loves the history of golf and a good old fashion underdog story.

5 comments about The Mysterious Montague: A True Tale of Hollywood, Golf, and Armed Robbery.

1. This well written book had three separate parts: first, the exploits of a talented, but undisaplined, charismatic golfer set in the movie world of Hollywood. Second, the revealing of his mysterious past and the problems associated with it for the main character, and finally the trial and its aftermath. The book had an air of authenticity throughout, despite Monty's seemingly impossible exploits as a golfer. His relationships with well known characters of Hollywood added greatly to the book's interest.



2. My brother, an avid golfer like me, recommended this book. I took it on a cruise ship vacation for occasional night reading, and it was perfect for that relaxed atmosphere.
   
   My major observation is that America fawned over celebrities in the 1930s with the same level of adulation we use now--or maybe they were more intense about celebrities then, since there were fewer of them. Then as now, a person could even establish himself or herself as a celebrity without having a long track record of accomplishment, as with Paris Hilton on the contemporary scene.
   
   Additionally, the legal system treated celebrities with more leniency than officials allowed for ordinary citizens. Today's daily news stories describe how TV and movie stars and athletes don't get the same penalties as nonfamous individuals.
   
   One limitation, for me: Much of the suspense disappeared with the crime scene account that opened the book. If Montville had placed that item later in the book, I would have been far more curious about why Montague didn't want publicity, even when his feats were so newsworthy.
   
   Even so, you are likely to consider this book an enjoyable glimpse into a bygone era, and a visit with some of the more colorful characters who dominated the scene.The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication-change Your Life!



3. This is an entertaining summer read about a minor celebrity of the Thirties. There is a dark undercurrent of violence to the light story of the amazing and unknown golfer who played with the Hollywood stars. He is an unstable youth who gets into trouble in a brutal incident. As an adult, he apparently keeps this violent tendency under control, but when his true identity is discovered, there is no restitution or apology for the victims of the crime for which he is indubitably guilty (a unique clue left at the scene leaves no doubt of that.) Montague also married well, so he never had to have a real job.
   He never really accomplished anything other than entertaining some sports writers and readers. While he accomplished no real good, he did some real harm. At least we can be thankful that his dark side was controlled after a certain point--with his terrific strength, he'd have made a very successful murderer.



4. This is a good read...Although Montague was probably a con man from the start he certainly led an entertaining life. Even though he got away with almost everything he did he provided his friends with entertainment and laughter. I would recommend this book as a good read, but I wouldn't take Mr. Montague too seriously.



5. A detailed recollection of events in the life of a very mysterious person.
   Leigh Montville brings back a time when personalities were indeed bigger than life, and one that reluctantly stood out in that crowd is the subject of the story. As the reader enjoys amazing stories involving some famous hollywood names it becomes clear why our subject is not willing to share the spotlight. I found The Mysterious Montague a wonderful read, and recommend it to all.

5 comments about Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry.

1. I enjoyed the stories about Palmer and Nicklaus, especially the account of their first meeting at Athens Country Club in 1958. Unfortunately, the writing is surprisingly poor. O'Connor uses every cliche and trite phrase to describe the players, almost ruining the otherwise interesting stories. I would not expect this from an experienced sportswriter.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



2. In order to tell his story, the author goes out of his way to draw a contrast between Palmer and Nicklaus; Jack was calculating, Arnie was daring; Jack wasn't aware of galleries, Arnie played to them; Jack was tubby and not photogenic, Arnie was built like a middleweight prize fighter and charismatic; Arnie played a low draw, Jack a high fade; Arnie was blue collar, Jack was pampered, and on and on. In short, Arnie wanted what Jack had (the best golfing talent) and Jack wanted what Arnie had (fan's adoration.) It's ok to hear this a few times in the early part to set the stage, but the author seems to repeat and rephrase this every few pages. He also makes too much of the Nicklaus/Palmer rivalry, to the near exclusion of any other players entering into the picture.
   
   But the stylistic flaw and over stated case don't overwhelm what is otherwise an extremely well researched book with many heretofore unknown revelations. For example, did you know that:
   
   - Palmer 1st played with Nicklaus in an exhibition when Nicklaus was an amateur. Even at that early age Nicklaus easily won their impromptu long drive competition;
   - Nicklaus was relentlessly harassed by Palmer's galleries, no more so than the US Open at Oakmont where he beat Palmer in a playoff;
   - Nicklaus hated being paired with Palmer at the Masters in the late 90's, because he never wanted to play a ceremonial role in competition and he was distracted by Arnie's playing to the galleries;
   - Their rivalry extended off the course in the arena of product endorsements, golf course design contracts and their own tournaments at Muirfield and Bay Hill.
   
   These are just a few of literally hundreds of "gee, I didn't know that" revelations.
   
   Perhaps some of the most interesting parts come towards the end when the book focuses on the race and gender aspects of golf. Neither Jack nor Arnie were proactive in helping to eliminate the PGA Tour's former caucasian-only policy and they were silent during Augusta's men-only stand-off with Martha Burke. Whereas Gary Player differentiated himself from both with a very vocal opposition to Augusta's policy and support for black golfers Lee Elder and Charlie Sifford.
   
   All in all a very worthwhile golf read, despite its flaws. As Gary Koch might say "better than most, better than most!"



3. Good book, great book on two of golf's greatest names, greatest players and greatest guys...This book is "a keeper," giving a dynamic inside look at the personalities and competitive instincts of both men. The reader comes to a new and deeper appreciation and understanding of the two golfing giants of our time.
   
   Ian O'Connor takes the easy way out in some of the writing at times, but the story (and stories) he tells far overcome the few and slight wordsmsithing that could be made by the most critical of readers.
   
   This book is an eagle, a sure eagle, for those who remember Arnie and Jack and for those who want to learn about them.
   
   Tiger Woods is Tiger Woods, the best of all time. It's a shame he doesn't have a competitive adversary such as Jack and Arnie had in each other. Then we could see just how good Tiger could be.
   
   Edwin Pope may have best described this book: "A classic work...the most riveting personal moments..the best I've read in a long while..."



4. If you want the long and short of this book, it's easy to summarize: Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus loved nothing better than to one-up each other; Arnold wanted to win more on the golf course, and Jack wanted to be more popular with the fans; their wives kept the rivalry from getting out of hand; and they are more at peace with one another now than before.
   
   If you want to read about the various times they played each other, the off-course competition, slights to one another, and what bugged each one about the other, then you'll want to read every page of this detailed dual biography. If you would rather read just about one or the other . . . and their whole career in perspective, another book will undoubtedly be more pleasing.
   
   I had never read anything about the backgrounds of either golfer so I learned a lot. As soon as the book got into the years where I was well aware of both men, the book didn't add very much to what I knew already. In fact, Mr. O'Connor left out material that I would have included.
   
   Because the two men are ten years apart in age, they aren't the kind of playing rivals that some of the earlier champions were who competed against each other in their prime years. In the process, the astonishing rise of golf as a spectator sport isn't given as much attention as it should.
   
   But if you want to get an overview of both men, magnified by their feelings about one another, this book will serve you all right. But don't expect the book to be compelling reading. It's more like those long-winded stories you hear at the country club in the bar that are shared by the oldest member after quite a few libations.



5. When your husband has EVERYTHING golf...a new and interesting golf book a must ! Thank you for quick delivery,book in excellent condition.

5 comments about Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son.

1. Like many, I have heard about the infamous Morris' and golf's grand start in Scotland. This is done in such an intimate and flowing story form that you're brought right back into the times these two great golfers teed it up.
   
   There is much history and culture of the times which makes it all that much more realistic and captivating: how we got to eighteen, the 4 1/2 cup and end of stymy, and on and on are here. I appreciate the candor and way in which the author acknowledges the Scottish help in received in putting this together, even those who had written previous books but still felt compelled to provide all support and research that they knew of. Admirable on both parts! If you have not read it yet, do read "The Edict."
   
   The sadness of the deaths of his family before him, and his keeping on till the end as well as his faith life, reading the Bible daily, will endear this book and family to me and other readers. So, far and sure!



2. This book was a finalist for sports book of the year in the UK in 2007, and won the Book-of-the-Year Award from the United States Golf Association. Kevin Cook hits it "far and sure."



3. If you want to learn some of the history of Scottish golf, this is a great book. It is very readable and interesting. I wish I had read it before we made our first trip to play golf in Scotland last year.



4. Simply put, this has it all, from facts we all thing we know, to the lives of this family both the glorious and the very lowest God can hand to us.



5. In 2001 when my middle daughter was accepted to the University of St Andrews we were elated about the prospect of her studing abroad in a first class institution and she was especially excited about being a classmate of Prince William. Golf was an after thought. I had only begun playing a few years earlier and carried a 14 handicap. I read several books on the history of the town of St Andrews and played the course over a dozen times during the ensuring four years. When a friend metioned that he had read "Tommy's Honor" I was lukewarm but took his advice I ordered the book through Amazon. It was one the best written and compelling books I've ever had the chance to read. The humanity of the characters and the richness of the story line compares well with the best novels. I visited the grave site with mild curosity before but now I am making plans to return to St Andrews to play and to walk in the steps of Old and Young Tom Morris.
   
   Fred Fernatt MA,MS,CPA,CFP

5 comments about Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes.

1. If you play golf and want to get a flavor for the vision of how a destination like Bandon Dunes became a reality, this is a must read. Bandon is one, if not, the most special golf location in the world. I have played in Scotland and Ireland and Bandon has a purity that few other locations can replicate. It feels like it has been there for hundreds of years and the book explains how it came to be. You will not be disappointed.



2. I have not read this book, but my Dad is raving about it. He is reading it prior to his trip to Bandon Dunes and he has never thanked me more for a gift. For the golfer in your life who is impossible to shop for--this is the gift for them.



3. Fantastic story, very well written. A must read for not only golfers, but for environmentalist and landscape architects also.



4. This book is the perfect gift for your favorite golfer. Even non-golfers and golfers who don't normally read will enjoy this story of dream golf.



5. We purchased this book for our son for Christmas, and it was a big hit!! He's already finished it and is loaning it out to friends and family. It's a wonderful book for any golfer with a love of the game, whether he/she has been to Bandon Dunes already or is perhaps dreaming of the day....

5 comments about Grand Slam, The: Bobby Jones, America, and the Story of Golf.

1. As an avid reader of biographies, I'm familiar with hagiography, the tendency of biographers to inflate the accomplishments of their subjects, but never in all my years have I ever encountered such an extreme case of it. It's a shame, too, as Jones's life needs no such embellishment.
   
   Bobby Jones was, without question, the greatest golfer of his generation and one of the greatest that ever lived. However, to read Frost's account, every match he ever lost was due to illness, injury, extreme bad fortune or circumstances beyond his control. In every one of his victories, he overcame illness, injury, bad luck, dastardly opponents and extreme fatigue (which for some reason Frost insinuates his opponents, who played the same or significantly more rigorous schedules, never faced). Some of Frost's accounts border on the ludicrous.
   
   He alleges that Walter Hagen recruited gallery memebers in an attempt to form windbreaks along the windswept fairways of the British Open. As a golfer, I can attest without question that human beings stationed along the edges of the fairway have absolutely no effect on the wind encountered by a golf ball, at any stage in its flight.
   
   Despite playing a total of ten rounds of golf in the months leading up to one of his U. S. Open victories, Frost describes Jones as being so exhausted that his knees were buckling as he attempted to finish his final round. Again, as if his efforts were somehow more draining than those of his competitors, some of whom were forced to play tournaments every week in order to survive.
   
   Sprinkled throughout the book are the author's attempts to add historical perspective. I actually think this could have been helpful if done well, however Frost, perhaps a frustrated historian, makes numerous absurd statements concerning the root causes of World War I, the Warren Harding administration, the Wall Street collapse of 1929. Set the stage, reference contemporanious historical events, but leave the political and social analysis to those who have a clue.
   
   While I might reluctantly recommend the book to those who wish to learn of the life and accomplishments of Bobby Jones, I even question some of the facts contained in the book. Frost frequently cites astonishing feats performed by many of the players of the era. He tosses around 300-325 yard drives as though they were the norm for the era, even though players of the current era struggle to hit such shots with the aid of titanium, oversized drivers, fiberglass shafts and souped up golf balls. Shots of the type frequently described by Frost were simply impossible with hickory shafts and marshmellow golf balls (in the absence of asphalt or gale force winds).
   
   He refers to 275 yard par 3s and 450+ yard par 4s, when courses of the era were actually significantly shorter than current tracts. In a disconnect, he describes very long iron and sometimes 3 wood shots into par 4s (which are probably accurate) despite the fact that his players are bombing 300+ yard drives. Something doesn't compute in his distance claims and club selections.
   
   All in all, a very tiresome product by its conclusion. By the time he won the U.S. Amateur, securing the Grand Slam, I expected Jones to be carted up the 18th fairway in a hospital bed, on the verge of death, only to hole out a 300 yard seven iron to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat from an opponent that had cheated by 10 strokes. I've got to think that there are better, more objective books for those seeking to learn the story of Bobby Jones.



2. In The Grand Slam, Mark Frost tells the story of Bobby Jones and the way in which his inconceivable 1930 championship run changed the sport of golf forever, in such a lively and engaging way that readers will be on the edge of their seats even though the outcome has been assured for 75+ years. Each of Jones' Grand Slam wins is recounted in painstaking detail, giving Frost the opportunity to paint an illuminating portrait of the golf world of the 20's and to set Bob's accomplishments against the backdrop of the times in which he lived. He reached his athletic peak at a time when people were beginning to tire of the frenetic pace of the Jazz Age and longed for a simpler time. Bob Jones possessed all the qualities Americans appeared to be searching for, and so, like the other sports heroes of the Golden Age he was quickly elevated to demi-god status. Frost does a wonderful job of peeling back the layers of the legend to reveal the human being underneath. He has proven yet again why he is one of the best writers working today. This book is a must for all true students of the game, but should appeal to non-golf fans as well.



3. I had high hopes for this book. I read it in preparation to attend the Masters, which I got to do this year and it was amazing.
   
   That said, this book was just average. I felt like the author added things to the book without a true need. I appreciate the fact that Frost was trying to explain the times that Mr. Jones was rooted in, but he seemed to stray from the main topic on numerous occassions.
   
   There were points when he was talking about golf, Mr. Jones and the courses they played... then he would stray into international politics and not for a brief explanation but rather 2 to 3 pages on the industrial revolution or WWI or the Depression. I get that those are important subjects to mention but the explanations got in the way of the biography I thought.
   
   In addition, the explanation of the golf read like a front page story or first-hand recap in the USA Today not a backstory of the event. I understand the need to recap key matches but Frost appeared to recap nearly every match and it got to be too much. I did appreciate the brief bios of other golfers of the period. That was interesting and necessary.
   
   The bio was roughly 450 pages. The same story could have been told in 300 pages and included the same key points. I would have liked more anecdotes and interesting stories that described Jones the man not Jones the golfer and/or ball-striker etc.
   
   I might recommend another book on Jones that doesn't detail things that really don't educate you that much about who he was and what he stood for.



4. Purchasing this book I had expected nothing more than the chronicle of Bobby Jones' assualt on the 4 golf majors of 1930. I got so much more. This book is certainly one of the better biographies I've ever read. Though Frost never goes too in depth into the private life of Jones, the writing style is exceptional, the sports action is compelling, but the most amazing thing is how the entire thing is brought together and every new section begins with an exceptional framing of where the event stands within the confines of history. Truly an amazing first rate bio.



5. Frost's follow-up effort to the outstanding "The Greatest Game Ever Played" - the movie adaptation of which will be released by Disney this fall - this meandering tale tracks the career of Bobby Jones, the greatest amateur golfer of all time, climaxing with his assault on the Grand Slam (back then, it was the US and British Open and Amateur titles) in 1930. After winning the Slam, Jones retired from tournament competition, at the age of 29. After reading Frost's harrowing account of his physical and mental anguish during the ordeal, you'll certain understand why.
   
   Aesthetically, this book doesn't hold together nearly as well as "Greatest Game". Frost includes far too much "background" information (most of which is, quite honestly, common knowledge) about everything from the origins of World War I to the Scopes "Monkey Trial". The bits of early 20th-century lore than festooned the pages of "Greatest Game" were a welcome addition to the storyline, helping us to understand the time and place. Here, they are an annoying intrusion. Despite this unfortunate slip, Frost's prose is still enjoyable to read, and the story will be of interest to anyone who has an interest in the history of golf.

No comments about Pete Dye Golf Courses: Fifty Years of Visionary Design.

5 comments about Alice Cooper, Golf Monster: A Rock 'n' Roller's 12 Steps to Becoming a Golf Addict.

1. Being a huge golf fan and a pretty big Alice fan, I was excited to get this book. Overall this book was basically a autobiography and it seemed extremely self-indulgent. The jist? Alice is super rich, gets to golf every day, most likely better than you and if you want to join him on the course you better bring your checkbook. I threw my copy in the trash.



2. When first seeing this book pop up on Amazon, i thought it was a book Alice Cooper had written about Golf. Kind of a text version of something like "Leslie Neilson's stupid little golf video"
   
   However I was surprised to discover that this is actually an autobiography written by Alice with focus' on gold chapters in between each chapter.
   
   To be honest, I read the first little golf bit and skipped the ones that followed and just read the biography chapters.
   
   Alice starts from when he was aged 10 and how his family would move from Detroit to L.A back and forth till finally settling in Arizona. And then onto what Alice did in high school and how he got into playing music and writing songs, and the struggle to make it as a successful group.
   
   Alice covers all the events that have happened with him from the mid 60's to mid 2000's. Pretty much all of the stories are there, the drinking, the chicken incident, first hit's, the break up of the original band, how he met his wife, alcohol abuse etc...
   
   I found this to be a pretty good read for the Alice Cooper fan. About the only story I thought was missing was when the python escaped down the hotel room toilet and popped up a week later in someone else's toilet.
   
   Instead of going for the usual tell-all tales, in between each chapter Alice writes a bit about golf, about 12 steps to to chapters how what he has learned from playing golf also adapts to the real world, and also lends a few tip's to anyone who plays golf... I don't, so i skipped most of that as I said.
   
   Overall it's a pretty interesting read, and it's amazing just how many celebrities Alice has met, known and been friends with over his 40 odd years as one of the greatest rock n roll legends of all time.



3. This candid book tells the story of Alice Cooper as well as him giving tips on golf. If you thought it was only about golf, it is not. In fact it is so much more! Alice takes us from the very beginning of his life and keeps us hooked to the last page. He has some amusing stories to tell as well as some sad. You will learn the truth about the chicken on the stage incident and relive other highlights throughout his career..Alice is a true rocker and he still rocks hard today. The original shock rocker and still the best! Alice Rules!



4. Where do I start? This book not only arrived in mint conditon thanks to the wonderful service provided by Amazon, but was the absolute perfect addition to my collection of everything Alice Cooper! If you love Rock n Roll, if you love Alice Cooper, or even if you just love playing Golf and need some awesome Golf Tips you gotta buy this book! Great price! This book isn't all about Golf either, because anyone who has had an addcition problem can relate to this, and it's nice to know that even a celebrity can have normal issues that we all face in life and overcome them! GREAT READ!!!



5. First, I'm old an school Cooper fan - it was a band, not a person. Second, I don't like golf; I think it's nearly as boring as Zipper Catches Skin. So I waded through the rock and roll chapters (skipping the clearly-labeled dozen golfing ones interspersed through the book) and finished it feeling not particularly wiser about Alice Cooper. In short, it is a very homogenized history of Cooper the musician. Like many reformed alcoholics, he'll tell you he was *the* hellman booze fiend of all time. I wished he'd spent more time discussing the minutia of his early days. (And let's face it, bar a couple of fluke hits, there hasn't been much of note from him since 1977). The tedium of his drinking is equalled only by that of his Christianity, but at least he doesn't proselytise. One can only hope that in time someone will write a true and accurate history of the original five Coopers, a band of trailblazers who have a story definitely worth telling.
   Now, to the golf. And this is where Alice is really scary. I decided to wade through the golf stuff and, to be honest, got more out of that than the rest of the book. In fact, by the end of his 12 chapters on golf, I wanted to go down to the local links and sign up for some lessons. Seriously. I still do, three days later. And I've never held a golf club in my life. My only complaint with the golf stuff - about which I know absolutely zilch! - was that it came across in parts as a big advertisement for a particular brand of clubs. But besides that, I'm thinking "Why not?". Hey, if it's good enough for J Mascis and the Coop...