Surprisingly, one of sport’s most contentious, complex, and defining clashes played out not in the boxing ring or at the line of scrimmage but on the genteel green fairways of the world’s finest golf courses. Arnie and Jack. Palmer and Nicklaus. Their fifty-year duel, in both the clubhouse and the boardroom, propelled each to the status of American icon and pushed modern golf to the heights and popularity it enjoys today.
Arnie was the cowboy, with rugged good looks, Popeye-like forearms, a flailing swing, and charm enough to win fans worldwide. Jack was scientific, precise, conservative, aloof, even fat and awkward. Ultimately, Nicklaus got the better of Palmer on the course, beating him in major victories 18-7. But Palmer bested Nicklaus almost everywhere else, especially in the hearts of the public and in endorsement dollars. By the end of this page-turning narrative, we see that each man wanted what the other had: Arnold wanted the trophies. Jack wanted the love.
In the tradition of John Feinstein and Mark Frost, Ian O’Connor has written a compelling account of one of the greatest rivalries in sports history.
Arnie was the cowboy, with rugged good looks, Popeye-like forearms, a flailing swing, and charm enough to win fans worldwide. Jack was scientific, precise, conservative, aloof, even fat and awkward. Ultimately, Nicklaus got the better of Palmer on the course, beating him in major victories 18-7. But Palmer bested Nicklaus almost everywhere else, especially in the hearts of the public and in endorsement dollars. By the end of this page-turning narrative, we see that each man wanted what the other had: Arnold wanted the trophies. Jack wanted the love.
In the tradition of John Feinstein and Mark Frost, Ian O’Connor has written a compelling account of one of the greatest rivalries in sports history.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In this lengthy and occasionally slow-going read, sports columnist O'Connor documents the decades-long rivalry between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The two men couldn't have been more different, both on the field and off. Palmer, several years Nicklaus's senior, was an effortlessly charming man, a self-made champion from humble Pennsylvania roots who bashed line drives with astounding force. Nicklaus, meanwhile, was more introverted and endured endless taunting from those who saw him as a cheerless striver caring only about winning. The two men rode their rivalry as golf grew from a sleepy amateur-only sport through its postwar boom into one of America's leading pastimes. Along the way, the men (whose wives became fast friends, and who themselves got along reasonably well) also accrued massive fortunes through an endless string of endorsements, business deals and golf-course building. As rivalries go, Nicklaus and Palmer's is more interesting than some, and O'Connor's account will likely appeal to hardcore golf fans. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"You can't go wrong writing or reading about those two guys, and O'Connor certainly got it right." (Newsday )
O'Connor, who had help from both the Palmer and Nicklaus families, hits it pretty squarely down the middle here…[he] very wisely lets the story tell itself, often in the words of the principals and their friends and families, without a lot of theorizing or interpretation. He is particularly informative about Jack and Arnie's business rivalry, which was even fiercer (and at times more childish) than the one on the course. (New York Times - Charles McGrath )
O'Connor, who had help from both the Palmer and Nicklaus families, hits it pretty squarely down the middle here…[he] very wisely lets the story tell itself, often in the words of the principals and their friends and families, without a lot of theorizing or interpretation. He is particularly informative about Jack and Arnie's business rivalry, which was even fiercer (and at times more childish) than the one on the course. (New York Times - Charles McGrath )
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More About the Author
Ian O'Connor is a nationally acclaimed columnist and author of "The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter," which the Library Journal called "excellent" and the "most complete account" of Jeter's iconic career with the New York Yankees.
O'Connor is also the author of The New York Times' bestseller "Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry," a columnist with ESPNNewYork.com, and a radio host on 1050 ESPN in New York.
Three times O'Connor has been named the No. 1 columnist in America in his circulation category by the Associated Press Sports Editors, and seven times he has placed among the top five nationally. O'Connor's work has earned dozens of national and regional awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists' prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
O'Connor has won contests conducted by the Golf Writers Association of America, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Basketball Writers Association of America, and the Football Writers Association of America.
O'Connor has been a columnist for The New York Daily News, USA Today, Foxsports.com, The Journal News and The Record, and has written for The New York Times and Star-Ledger.
A 1986 graduate of Marist College, O'Connor is a frequent guest on national ESPN TV programs. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and son.
O'Connor is also the author of The New York Times' bestseller "Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry," a columnist with ESPNNewYork.com, and a radio host on 1050 ESPN in New York.
Three times O'Connor has been named the No. 1 columnist in America in his circulation category by the Associated Press Sports Editors, and seven times he has placed among the top five nationally. O'Connor's work has earned dozens of national and regional awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists' prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
O'Connor has won contests conducted by the Golf Writers Association of America, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Basketball Writers Association of America, and the Football Writers Association of America.
O'Connor has been a columnist for The New York Daily News, USA Today, Foxsports.com, The Journal News and The Record, and has written for The New York Times and Star-Ledger.
A 1986 graduate of Marist College, O'Connor is a frequent guest on national ESPN TV programs. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and son.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The King, The Golden Bear, And A Rivalry For The Ages,
By tides24 "tides24" (West Seneca, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry (Hardcover)
I grew up a member of Jack's Pack, having been born a little too late to be a soldier in Arnie's Army. It's funny how sports moments can stay with you. As I watched the Masters this year, in my mind's eye, I could see the Golden Bear prowling those greens. Ghosts of Augusta.
This book tells the tale of two of Golf's titans, both their individual stories, and the story of their complicated relationship, from the first time they met, to the present day. Arnold Palmer, muscular arms bulging out of his short-sleeved shirts, cigarette hanging from his lips, going for every pin, with that wild looking swing of his. Jack Nicklaus: once Fat Jack, before he transformed himself. Picture perfect on the course, but not with the galleries, never getting the love that they showered on Palmer, the King. To say it was love/hate would be an understatement. They competed to the death in everything, but cared about each other much more than they would let on. Ironically, each wanted to be the other. Arnie wanted all those Majors, and the title of Greatest Golfer ever. Jack wanted the popularity and love that Arnie always had. But as Arnie said, "You can only be so many things in life." The book is wonderfully written. You almost feel like you were there, as the author describes so many memorable Arnie/Jack duels. There is also a fascinating look at their wives. Winnie Palmer & Barbara Nicklaus were fast friends from the moment they met, even as their husbands were trying to beat each other's brains out. When I finished this book, I remember thinking, "I really enjoyed that." I think you will,too.
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Competition Continues,
By
This review is from: Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry (Hardcover)
Fifty years ago, the greatest rivalry in golf began. By forty years ago, it was all over, with the domination of Jack Nicklaus over Arnold Palmer. So for those who didn't live through it (and for those who did), Mr. O'Connor chronicles the the rise of Big Golf with these two men. Mr. Palmer with his come from behind wins and self-taught style came of age with the TV set and was golf's first superstar. Mr. Nicklaus was not the risk-taker on the golf course that Mr. Palmer was --which is why Arnie had his "Army" and Jack had all the major championships. Their rivalry continued in the business arena after their golfing days. Mr. O'Connor interviewed everyone who knew them and used every cliche to describe them. Other than that, the book is fun to read and a joy to every golfer.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superior book about two all time greats.,
By An old time wrestling fan "jacob" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry (Hardcover)
Mr. O'Connor has done a fine job with his work on the Palmer-Nicklaus rivalry. No matter which side of the fence you may be on (Arnie's Army or Jack's Pack), there are enduring lessons to be learned here as well as a lot of inside information about two of the all time greats of the game so many of us love. If you have any memories of either of these guys in, or even close to, their primes, you can purchase this book with confidence knowing you have a wonderful read ahead of you.
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First Sentence:
THE ELDERS AT the Athens Country Club had cobbled together a big day to honor one of their own, Dow Finsterwald, and needed to fill the last slot on their VIP list. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
golden bear, birdie attempt, eagle putt, par putt, sixteenth green, eighteenth green, birdie putt Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Augusta National, Arnie's Army, Grand Slam, Bobby Jones, Bay Hill, Cherry Hills, Ohio State, Gary Player, British Open, Ben Hogan, Pebble Beach, Big Three, New York, Sam Snead, Charlie Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, Muirfield Village, Johnny Miller, Billy Casper, Fat Jack, Wee Ice Mon, Barbara Nicklaus, South African Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
THE ELDERS AT the Athens Country Club had cobbled together a big day to honor one of their own, Dow Finsterwald, and needed to fill the last slot on their VIP list. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
golden bear, birdie attempt, eagle putt, par putt, sixteenth green, eighteenth green, birdie putt Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Augusta National, Arnie's Army, Grand Slam, Bobby Jones, Bay Hill, Cherry Hills, Ohio State, Gary Player, British Open, Ben Hogan, Pebble Beach, Big Three, New York, Sam Snead, Charlie Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, Muirfield Village, Johnny Miller, Billy Casper, Fat Jack, Wee Ice Mon, Barbara Nicklaus, South African Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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