Hogan

By: Curt Sampson

Narrated by: Tom Parker

Ben Hogan was the hero no one knew. No one knew what drove him to practice until his hands bled. No one knew what private demons built the high walls that surrounded him. No one was even sure how he hit a golf ball with such godlike precision. He built a legend and a mystique that captivates golfers still.

The components of this mystique were easy to see: a silent, almost eerie concentration that intimidated his opponents, a presence any politician or actor would envy, and an ability to hit a ball so squarely it sizzled as it left his club. Accomplishment was another part of his aura. Ben Hogan won four U.S. Opens in six years, three of them after a near-fatal head-on automobile collision with a bus. His injuries limited him to six tournaments in 1953, but he won five of them, three of them majors. It was arguably the greatest year ever in the history of professional golf.

Magazines placed his face on their covers, New York City gave him a ticker-tape parade, and Hollywood made a movie of his life. Yet even in the midst of all this acclaim, myth distorted and obscured Ben Hogan. Here at last is the Hogan no reader has ever encountered. From the poverty and suicidal death of his father that scarred him as a youth, to the failure and conflict that stalked him into middle age, Hogan is the rare sports book that transcends the genre.

Combining interviews with Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, and scores of other golf professionals, as well as insights from Hogan¿s friends and business associates, Hogan traces the life of an amazing man and tells an unforgettable story.

©1996 Curt Sampson (P)1998 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A superb and insightful portrait of the most elusive and complex champion in golf history." (Golf Digest)

Changes in attitude.

Sometimes he loves him, sometimes he hates him. It's a bit off putting. A very nice read, however, with dramatic flourishes.

his passion and hard work

some time long winded causing to ramble off topic.one tone at times lending to not paying attention

This Book Left Me Conflicted

Curt Sampson has written an excellent book ... but it has left me conflicted. As one of the most important figures in golf history, 'Hogan' has given me a greater appreciation of his role in taking the game to new heights of respectability in the world of sports. On the personal level, I find myself liking Ben Hogan from the gallery, but not as a friend.

Very Enjoyable

Great listen. Stories about Hogan were very interesting and enjoyable. Such a interesting man and a one of a kind and a amazing golfer. Recommend.

very good

well read and fast moving. enjoyable. if you like golf and find Hogan interesting you will really like this audio-book.

The Icon

Not to be confused as a hero he was human like the rest of us. Trauma, isolation, poverty, and opportunity came together for a 9 year old boy. It made him who he was but kept him from being more. It was a good listen.

Best book ever made about Hogan

Have read 100’s, maybe over a 1000 books about golf, football, etc. of the biographies, this is the absolute best. I knew nothing of Hogan before reading it, afterwards I was in awe. All of the current self-help literature about focus, mindfulness, picking one thing, Hogan was practicing these qualities 90 years ago and perfected them. Love the narrator on the audio version, a perfect match for the content and the narrative nuance

Great book about Hogan

I would recommend this book to all who have a love for golf and for those who like a good story about hard work and good old fashion determination.

just as expected

Hogan was a great ball striker, and held that energy through his life. never holding back.

Superb biography of a golfing legend

I had little to no knowledge about Ben Hogan before giving this book a try. I'm relatively new to golf, with a few games here or there throughout my life. So I read the reviews on this book and went with the advise.

This book opened my eyes to a man who I had no clue about just a few months ago and actually only knew his name, not the person. If there's a better biography of this man out there, I'd say it's met it's match. The narrator Tom Parker (Grover Gardner or what other names he goes by) did an excellent job and once again, made the book even more interesting with his soft tone.

While reading the book I found myself bookmarking certain moments periodically. One being the description of Hogan's practice habits, another was how he and the game of golf meshed so well and why. This related so well to me and explained why I decided to take up the sport when I couldn't find the words to describe my new found hobby. Other golf books out there tend to be just a little too technical and get ahead of themselves. This one does not, and is a very easy read (listen.)

At first, and with most audiobooks I use my credits on, I was hesitant to get this biography. It wasn't long enough (hours wise) to justify spending my credit was one of the reasons. However, by the end of the introduction to the book, I was hooked like Ben Hogan's ball strike path. Highly recommend this book to anyone, with or without golf knowledge. You can thank me later...