No comments about History of the PGA Tour.

No comments about Driven: The Definitive Biography of Nick Faldo.

No comments about Lee Trevino (Superstars).

No comments about Natural Hazard: The Diary of an Accident-Prone Golf Watcher.

No comments about Tiger Woods: Heart of a Champion.

No comments about A Glance Along the Tracks (Patten People).

No comments about Tiger Woods: Star Golfer (Sports Reports).

4 comments about Dwight Davis : The Man and the Cup.

1. This book not only is an outstanding piece of tennis history, but also contains great U.S. history of the late 1800's and first half of the 1900's. By tracing Davis and his family through those years,
   the author gives riveting stories about the early days in burgeoning St. Louis, World War I,
   the Philippines, the Department of War in those years, even
   World War II. This book is a gem that integrates the early history of "lawn tennis," with the broader events of the day. Dwight Davis not only was a "tennis man" but a highly placed civil servant and a philanthropist. al campbell, cincinnat



2. The history of the Davis Cup is fascinating and excitingly written. However, the life of donor Dwight Davis took me completely by surprise: A terrific biography of an outstanding human being.

   Kriplen's research and delightful usage of the written word is thoroughly complete and very rewarding to the reader. I hope that more will come from this author in the future. This book will be a joy for those who love tennis and good biographies.




3. The author does a nice job of seamlessly integrating an interesting life and the cup's history. Davis exhibited many admirable American characteristics including courage, patriotism and determination. The vivid description of Malmo captured the cup's legacy wonderfully. The prose is graceful and sails along.



4. I truly enjoyed this inspirational story of one of the great tennis leaders of the 20th century

No comments about Tiger Woods.

2 comments about Driven: The Definitive Biography of Nick Faldo.

1. When one thinks of Nick Faldo, one will also think of Greg Norman and the two of them together at the 1996 Masters. Faldo trailing hopelessly by 6 strokes entering the final round summoned something from deep inside which allowed him to pull off one of the great comebacks in the history of Sport. Recording 7 birdies in the final round of a Major is incredible, but when it's Sunday at the Master's, it becomes legendary. Especially when you consider that well before this victory ever took place the golfing world was in agreement that Faldo's career was over so far as winning majors was concerned.
   
   However, Faldo had overcome doubts before. Including his own. It's easy to forget and indeed it should not be dwelled upon, but Faldo very nearly achieved 3 legs of the career Grand Slam losing out in a playoff in the US Open to Curtis Strange. The reason I bring this up in not to highlight a negative for Faldo but rather to demonstrate his resilence as after that massive dissapointment Faldo would indeed redeem himself and go on to win many more Majors.
   
   Faldo endured many dissapointments through out his career, personal as well. His first marriage failed. Reading the accounts, I have always gotten the feeling that Nick was just to young to be sure of what he wanted. I don't think he ever intended to hurt any of the women that he eventually left. Indeed such is life. Men and Women are constantly changing and evolving. It shouldn't ever be a surprise when a man and woman part ways. I suppose Faldo's part in the blame is quite subjective, I won't argue with anyone. What I will say, is I believe he truly cared for each and everyone of the women he's been involved with.
   
   Nick has always seemed to be a bit of a magnet for critisizm. Well before the limelight Faldo made a bit of a pilgrimmage to the states if I remember correctly to play and learn golf in Texas. Joining him as well was the likes of Sandy Lyle. This was when they were both still amateurs. Needless to say Faldo grew quite disenchanted with the style of golf being taught as it tended to only focus on becoming a good scrambler and putter. Faldo went back home and was portrayed as a National dissapointment. However, I have always agreed with his decision as not everyones game is suited for that style. Faldo wanted to be an all around great golfer and I admire that. In the end it proved out that he made the right decision when you take a look at the results of his career.
   
   Nick Faldo has indeed spent a lot of time playing golf to the exclusion of other interests and as well people in his life. But then I ask, what great athlete hasn't (ha ha ha). Isn't that how you become great by having that singular focus and depending on the others around you to understand that. To understand that's how you put food on the table and a roof over your head and supply all the luxurious gifts that are lavished. Indeed. Indeed.
   
   Faldo has weathered the critisizm, the losses, the heart ache and done so all while still performing. It's truly amazing to think how much he went through and was still yet able to perform. On Faldo's place in the overall ranking of Golfers all time, I suppose any evaluation would have to focus only on record to be unbiased. And so there are many you would have to rank above him. But then I never liked to look simply at numbers. Take for instance Severiano. Is he a better golfer than Faldo because he had one more Major victory? To you perhaps, I don't know. But to me Faldo has the edge over his past rival. For 2 reasons, 1)Faldo won the biggest of all the Majors, that being the Masters 3 times and also facturing in how he won them. 2 playoffs, one in which he sank I believe a 20 or 40 foot put to win the bloody thing. Then of course following that victory up the very next year with another playoff win to go back to back. I factor in winning 2 years in a row as well. Ladies and Gentlemen that's quite hard to do. I have already recounted his victory over Norman in 96 Masters. Again Legendary.
   
   Perhaps just as big certainly around the world and maybe in the US is The Open Championship which Faldo also won 3 times. 2 times at Muirfield and then once at the Royal and Ancient Golf Course St. Andrews. In fact it was at Muirfield that Faldo won his greatest Championship. After having won the Masters back to back and The Open at Muirfield and St. Andrews his career was reported to be finished. Funny I guess no one was able to convice Nick Faldo as he won The Open a second time at Muirfield. Understandbly emotional and in tears Faldo had once again proven his critics wrong. Then he so eloquently thanked them from the heart of his bottom. HA HA HA Good Show Nick! Good Show! Fair to say that was over 10 years ago now. He might not like me recounting that as he was highly critisized, but hey I thought it was funny. I love ya Nick.
   
   So again I would have to give the edge to Faldo over Seve. And that's really the only evaluation I care about since that was his biggest rival. In regards to Nicklaus and Watson, well, Nick never got to face those guys in his prime and vice versa so to try and speculate would be just that, speculation.
   
   It's hard to say how history will paint Nick Faldo. I suppose the feelings will always quite divided. Personally I love the man, to me he's an inspiration. Anyone that put's their heart and soul into anything the way he has is inspiring to me. Fortunately the happy ending came for him in his personal life as well as he is now married to a quite attractive and wonderfully sweet woman named Valerie Bercher.
   
   So finally, how would I sum up Nick Faldo? How would I decribe Nick Faldo? Well, I would simply refer to the title of this book written so beautifully by Dale Concannon, Driven.
   
   And a good guy. Cheers Nick!



2. Driven does describe one of the best players of the past thirty years. His record speaks for itself.

   However, the impression one gets from reading of Faldo's life is shallowness. Golf, golf, golf. Even his fellow players were not allowed near this guy. Three to four wives? Always in a snit about the press, or James, or?

   Certainly, he was a good player. Not a Hogan or a Nicklaus or even a Watson. But he had a good run! Yet, nothing enduring about the man outside of his game that will endure him much in the history of the game.

   Revealing read.