Publishers Weekly
08/08/2016
Palmer is one of the greatest players in the history of professional golf, and his latest book offers a range of insights into his long career some of the “important things I learned along the way.” Covering everything from his early upbringing to his latest success on the Champions Circuit, Palmer delivers 75 short, breezily readable chapters divided into sections on golf (“A long drive is good for the ego”), life (“I have never forgiven Spiro Agnew for stealing my thunder on national television”), and business (“I’ve never told anyone this until now, but I still have a plan to build the ultimate golf course”). Throughout, Palmer displays the amiable persona that made him one of the golf stars of the television era; however, he does share disappointment at the way he was treated early in his career by the Wilson sports company, and he has some tough insights into Tiger Woods (“He would have benefited from a bit less intervention from the so-called ‘experts’ out there”). But many of his observations, while true, are too amiable and bland, the type to mostly appeal to fans (“You first must dream of doing things before you can do them”). Readers looking for more insight into Palmer would be better served by his earlier 2000 autobiography, A Golfer’s Life. Agent: Jay Mandel, WME. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Rich Lerner on narrating the audiobook: “This wasn’t a ‘job’ for me. This was a true privilege, because Arnold Palmer’s story is important . . . as you’ll hear in the book, Arnie lived and played by a simple principle: ‘Go for it.’”
"Arnold Palmer has lived an incredible life, and the King now wants to share some of what's he experienced and what he's learned along the way. . . . With Palmer being one of professional golf's greatest success stories, he should have plenty to offer readers." —Golf News Net
"Packed with stories and a few tips . . . . A heartfelt, sincere, mini-self-portrait by a man who epitomizes class." —Kirkus Reviews
Library Journal
09/15/2016
In reviewing his life, fortunes, and outlook on life, legendary golfer Palmer (b. 1929) creates a collection of new and previously published essays that echo his humble spirit. What comes through in these pages is a man who, though having success in golf and business, including cofounding Golf Channel, is genuine without artifice. Most chapters are but two or three pages in length. For the most part, there is little new material that has not been covered in one of Palmer's own books, or by one of his chroniclers (Michael Bamberger, John Feinstein, Thomas Hauser, et al.). A few of the chapters stand out, including one that explains the difference between hopes and dreams: "To hope is to wait for things to come to you. A dream is part of the process of setting goals and then striving to achieve them. You must first dream of doing things before you can do them." Notably, Palmer still has dreams even as he approaches his twilight. VERDICT This latest book gives wisdom into the wherewithal for Palmer's enduring popularity and is required reading for aspiring golf professionals.—Steven Silkunas, Fernandina Beach, FL
JANUARY 2017 - AudioFile
The legendary golfer looks back at his life, covering lessons learned throughout his amazing career. In a word, Rich Lerner’s narration is comfortable. He ambles along at a pace perfect for, well, golf. The audiobook’s theme is how much of Palmer’s life was shaped by his father, and Lerner is there as if he is accompanying the listener over 18 holes. Palmer is not a particularly controversial person, and the narration style of his memoir, almost soothing, fits the golfer’s story. There’s not a lot of technical jargon, so even a casual fan can glean a perspective on Palmer’s life. M.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2016-07-19
One of the greatest golfers of all time offers up some stories and advice.Palmer (A Golfer’s Life, 2000, etc.) is one of the best and best-loved of all golfers. The “King” (he admits he doesn’t like this moniker) feels this slight book is particularly important to him. Now 86, he realizes there are things “I still wanted to say to my friends in golf and to fans of the game in general.” The book is very conversational, as if he were right there talking to you. Packed with stories and a few tips, it’s divided into three sections: Golf, Life, and Business. The chapters are short, some only a couple pages. Palmer begins with his “tough, taciturn disciplinarian” father, a greenskeeper (and later the pro) at the Latrobe Country Club in Pennsylvania. He showed a 3-year-old boy how to grip a club, stand, swing, and, most importantly, show good sportsmanship. Palmer adhered to most of this advice, especially the last one. He has always been gracious in defeat, and the fans—Arnie’s Army, a phrase born in 1959—love him for it. He chides young pros who chicken scratch their signatures for fans; take your time and do it right, he says. He admits to being a “strong-minded person and maybe a bit stodgy.” One of his “most favorite personal golf memories” was the day he shot 60 at Latrobe. He’s made 20 aces and owns 2,000 putters and 10,000 clubs. The golfer he holds in the “highest esteem of all” is Byron Nelson, but the player he always wanted to beat—“to a pulp”—was Jack Nicklaus. Palmer’s advisers were against him starting the Golf Channel. He said: “Let’s do this.” And that famous tea and lemonade drink? He “concocted it one afternoon with the help of my wife.” A heartfelt, sincere, mini–self-portrait by a man who epitomizes class.
