3 comments about The Road to Somewhere.

1. This book is basically a forum for James Dodson to show off his knowledge of medieval history and mythology. He does this under the guise of teaching his 10-year-old son, Jack, about the many museums and ruins they visit in their trip. Not being terribly interested in or well informed about those subjects, I couldn't say just how accurate his teachings were. There were, however, some inexcusable mistakes in other areas, all of which should have been avoided by using a simple spellchecker and doing rudimentary research. I was surprised to see the word "amphitheater" misspelled as "ampitheater" several times, although the final few references were magically correctly spelled. I have to wonder why he didn't bother to read the brochure I'm sure he must have gotten when he and his son enjoyed the boat ride on the Seine, which he called the "Baton Mouche". The ride is properly known as the "Bateau Mouche", bateau being the French word for boat. Baton is a stick in French. Toward the end of the book, he relates missing out on a desired attraction due to a special concert which featured the famous violinist, Philippe Entremont. Since he supposedly enjoyed that concert, I would have expected that he'd have noticed that Philippe Entremont is a famous pianist, NOT a violinist. Mistakes such as these are the result of carelessness on the part of both the author and his so-called editor. I don't know exactly what editors do these days, but they are clearly not the same kind of people who used to be book editors -- specifically people who are well-versed in spelling and grammar, as well as proper form. They also used to make sure that such careless errors were corrected before a book went to press. All of the errors I've mentioned could have been avoided with a maximum of ten minutes' effort and a half decent computer.
   I found the character of Dodson's 10-year-old son to be the most interesting aspect of the entire book. I also found it hard to believe that any 10-year-old American boy would have been so fascinated with the endless visits to museums and ruins (to the exclusion of almost everything else), much less his father's incessant rambling about these things. He also seemed to be inhumanly well-behaved for a kid that age, especially one who was forced to hike and climb to various ruins for hours at a time. There seemed to be very little in the way of what one would generally consider "fun" for a kid.
   I think the most interesting character was Dodson's former mother-in-law, to whom he affectionately referred as "The Queen Mum". I was sorry to see her leave father and son so early in their travels. Dodson frequently referred to her as a "red tide" Scot, but never really explained what that is. I was surprised that "the boys" chose not to accompany her on her trip to Scotland, especially since they were already in England, and were such amiable travel companions. I would have thought that she would want to show them her homeland.
   All in all, this was a disappointing book whose ending was completely anticlimactic.



2. Have you ever traveled to Europe and wondered why many locals seem to have a low opinion of American tourists? Have you ever pondered where the term "Ugly American" came from? Then look no further than The Road to Somewhere.
   
   You want to experience Europe through the eyes of a self-centered and obnoxious middle-aged American male? Then travel with author James Dodson, who rarely has a kind or generous word to say about any person or place he encounters and whose idea of an free-spirited tour includes: endangering other tourists by insisting on playing catch with a hard baseball in the crowded courtyard surrounding the Prime Meridian (how dare those fellow visitors "turn and glare uncomprehendingly" at him?); lambasting the renowned Chartres Cathedral expert Malcolm Miller (here coyly named "Rupert Rivers") for having the effrontery to ask the author's 10-year-old son to stay in his seat during the lecture; complaining because two of the most famous cafes in Paris turn him away because he's wearing shorts (the nerve of those "snotty" doormen!); and bridling at the criticism that results when he starts shouting his son's name in Notre Dame Cathedral after the son disappears from view for half a minute. Oh, yes, and we don't want to forget that marvelously ironic incident in a public park in Amsterdam when the ubiquitous hardball, thrown by the author's son, hits a gentleman sunbathing on the grass, who then has the gall to toss the ball into a nearby pond. It's nice to know that the author restrains himself to "politely nudging" the man's shoulder with his "Maine-made boat shoe" and merely thinking nasty thoughts rather than resorting to fisticuffs.
   
   Mr. Dodson is also an unbearably affected writer. The references to his son as "Nibs the Lost Boy" (AKA "Nibsy"), his ex-mother-in-law as "the Queen Mum," and his current wife as "Dame Wendy" are more than tiresome; even poor Jane Austen suffers the indignity of being referred to as "Janey." And have you ever encountered one of those insufferable parents who bore you to death with endless stories about how unique and marvelous their child is? Then Mr. Dodson will be all too familiar. We'll skip lightly over the numerous editorial glitches, from the use of "it's" as a possessive pronoun to the references to Paris's famous "Baton" Mouche (better known as the Bateau Mouche, in point of fact).
   
   What might be some good alternatives to this wretched excuse of a travel book? Try Botticelli Blue Skies or A Year of Sundays instead. Both are written by Americans who are not blinded by egocentrism and arrogance, whose encounters with various locals are generally friendly rather than hostile, and who, quite frankly, are much more enjoyable and likable companions on your armchair journey. As for Mr. Dodson, please stick to your books about golf and, for the sake of the reputation of all Americans who travel abroad, stay in the United States!



3. Sometimes the most innocent remarks we make lead on to interesting things. As James Dodson closed one of his bedtime stories to his young son which involved them roaming the ancient world, slaying dragons, fighting black nights and saving damzels in distress, young Jack looked up and said, "Dad, do you think we could do that stuff some time?...See dragons and visit real castles and things like that?" "Sure," Dodson replied. "Someday. When you are older."

   Well "someday" has arrived in the Dodson household and if you enjoy a well told tale you will want to join the unstructured, open ended odyssey that was their summer of 2001. It begins three days after Dodson and Dame Wendy, his true love that he met and wrote about in The Dewsweepers, are married. You might think she would be coming along on the adventure, but you would be wrong. Accompanying them for the first part of the trip is The Queen Mum, Dodson's ex-mother in law and Jack's grandmother, who being a native of Scotland is going to England before she splits off for Scotland on her own for her "semiannual inspection tour of the premises." Dame Wendy is to join them later when they have made their way to Italy. In the meantime, she is staying home to water the plants and make arrangements for the travelers over the internet as needed.

   If you have an inquiring mind and a free spirit you will delight in following the adventures of Jim and Jack as they travel through Europe. There are few dull moments, many humorous ones, some sobering, but always interesting. There are too many characters and situations to recount here, but I guarantee you that if you buy your ticket to join them at your local bookstore or on Amazon that you will not regret having gone along for the ride.

   This is the fourth book by Dodson in what has become kind of a serial autobiography of a part of his life. This may be the best of the bunch.

No comments about Tiger Woods (Welcome Books).

No comments about Legends of Golf: And Other Observations on the Game (Legends Series).

No comments about James Braid (Batsford Golf Series).

No comments about Severiano Ballesteros.

No comments about Legends of Golf.

No comments about Golf Legends (Legendary Sports Heroes).

5 comments about Tournament Week: Inside The Ropes And Behind The Scenes On The PGA Tour.

1. This is a very quick read. The author incorporates anecdote after anecdote, none lasting more than a couple of paragraphs. As others have noted there are better golf books out there, but this one is a very quick read, and you may come across a few stories that you haven't heard before. Recommended more for the golf novice (like myself) than the hardcore fan.



2. Just like the drive that starts right down the middle, then slices way off to the right, this book is a letdown.

   It promises such great things, inside the ropes of the best golfers. It doesn't deliver, but rather just provides collected anecdotes, rather than real first hand observation, interview, etc.

   Suggest turn to some great golf writing on the topic, e.g. Lorne Rubenstein's "Links:An Exploration" of which Greg Norman says this is one of rare journalists who understands the tour, and John Feinstein's "The Majors."




3. Please don't waste your money on this book, while the premise is good, the writer appears to have no real access to the players and/or is very afraid of pissing them off. He doesn't tell anything pithy about any player or tournament and if you know anything about golf you will come away very disappointed. Additionally, the author's writing is lackluster and he appears to rely on second hand information and the anecdotes of others. The best lines of this book are on the back of the jacket cover and after that well... there are just a lot of better golf books!

   By the way the 5-Star review (in this section) "Strenge Aces the PGA Tour" is either written by his publisher or his friend. There is not a sign of "meticulous research" in this book and it is not even remotely in the same league as The Majors.




4. Well...I got it...I wish I could return it. Good bathroom book. That's about it. save your cash.



5. This is not John Feinstein. This could have been a great read BUT there is NO substance! I am not sure that I learned a single thing about the tour from reading this book. Golf magazines provide more information than this guy - who seems to have relied on very weak interviews and a lot of soft second hand stories.

   Note: the jacket cover has all the substance you are going to find in this book and even then you have heard most of them!

   PLEASE NOTE: This guy reviewed his own book as

   "exceptionally informative... and insightful", something it is clearly not!

   Don't waste your money!

1 comments about Bobby Jones--Stroke of Genius (Newmarket Pictorial Moviebooks (British American Publishing)).

1. This book is impressive. It is packed with fascinating color photos from both the film and Bobby Jones' life. Much more than a biography, it features essays from Jones' friends and people who were involved in the making of the film--from the director to the star of the movie. It is a must have for movie buffs or anyone interested in golf.

No comments about Tiger Woods (Sports Heroes).