Customer Reviews

Arnie and Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry

5 star:		(16)
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2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Always an Arnie fan, reluctantly a Jack fan, Ian O'Connor has allowed me to go back to a wonderful time in my life. I cut school to watch these two men duel at Baltusrol. I remember seven kids jumping into the pond of the fourth green to recover a misplayed Palmer shot during the 67 US Open. Palmer's charisma has never been replicated, while Jack eventually earned the respect he deserved. Arnie and Jack reveals captivating insights into these two golfing warriors' lives and accomplishments. I had to send copies to my all my golfing buddies, even before Christmas

Good book, great book on two of golf's greatest names, greatest players and greatest guys...This book is "a keeper," giving a dynamic inside look at the personalities and competitive instincts of both men. The reader comes to a new and deeper appreciation and understanding of the two golfing giants of our time.

Ian O'Connor takes the easy way out in some of the writing at times, but the story (and stories) he tells far overcome the few and slight wordsmsithing that could be made by the most critical of readers.

This book is an eagle, a sure eagle, for those who remember Arnie and Jack and for those who want to learn about them.

Tiger Woods is Tiger Woods, the best of all time. It's a shame he doesn't have a competitive adversary such as Jack and Arnie had in each other. Then we could see just how good Tiger could be.

Edwin Pope may have best described this book: "A classic work...the most riveting personal moments..the best I've read in a long while..."

First the positive feedback. For the most part I enjoyed the book. While some of the stories were familiar to me already from other sources, there was some new material as well.
Now the negative feedback. The author used gratuitously vulgar language throughout the book. Sometimes, when quoting someone, it's necessary to relate it uncensored to give the full effect. At other times it's not. The author should learn the distinction. But he went far beyond just using "colorful" speech when quoting someone. It seems to be part of his writing style. Some players were "shooting the s__t". Arnold hit a shot from the rough even farther into the "s__t". Someone "was rips__t" about some situation. Could it be that the stories can be told without the frequent use of the word "s__t"? On a similar vein, we learn that Nicklaus was conceived in a second-story room over his father's drugstore? Really? Did the author really know where Jack was conceived? Would it not have sufficed to say where he was born?
As I kept encountering stuff like this, the author's style became more and more annoying and almost ruined the book. But enough information about this great rivalry came through that I was able to fight through it and finish the book.

I agree with some of the reviews that this book does cover many things an avid golf fan knows already. However, there were two subjects I found most enlightening about the book.

The first was the relationship between Winnie Palmer and Barbara Nicklaus. Wonderful portraits of two women who helped keep a rivalry from becoming a larger animosity. Both women had class(like their husbands).

The second subject was both Palmer and Nicklaus's back seat position on Civil Rights as opposed to Gary Player's humanitarian stance. The book's chapter on the Civil Right issue, and both Palmer and Nicklaus's response was very informative and riveting. Civil Rights is rarely mentioned in golf. After watching the Masters, one would think Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones were saints, when in fact they were racists. It was refreshing to read a book that sheds light on a shameful past in professional golf.

Apart from these more serious subjects, the book was a nostalgic read that brought back memories of many exciting Sunday afternoons.

I grew up watching golf with my father. As a child of the '70's, however, I never knew Arnold Palmer at the top of his game. Jack Nicklaus was all but worshipped in our house, so it was inconceivable to me that the golf world had ever disliked him. "Arnie & Jack" gave me the history between the two great men in the sport, and so much more insight into what life on the tour was like with these two giants battling each other.

Perhaps most interesting to me was seeing that the reaction of Arnie's Army to the young upstart Nicklaus was almost exactly the same way my father reacted to Tiger Woods when he burst upon the scene (and started breaking Jack's records!).

I've never played a round of golf in my life (unless you count miniature), but have greatly enjoyed John Feinstein's books on the game. This is right up there with "A Good Walk Spoiled" and "The Majors", and anyone who appreciates the sport should enjoy this greatly.

A well written account of golf's greatest rivalry - Arnie vs Jack. I felt it was written fairly - not pro one or the other - but the truth, Jack wanted to be Arnie and Arnie wanted to be Jack. All golf fans will thoroughly enjoy this read!

I was surprised at how interesting the book was. Congratulations to Ian O'Connor for giving a nuanced biography of the two players and their rivalry, on and off the course, over 5 decades.

The book does a good short biography of each man before getting into the nitty-gritty of the golf rivalry. True, it was somewhat lopsided in Nicklaus' favor but O'Connor points out that Palmer got some shots in as well. The book really gives you an idea of each of the men, where they came from, and what makes them tick. It explores their very complicated relationship in a very interesting way.

Lots of interesting things throughout. In particular, it was fascinating to learn of the strong friendship the late Winnie Palmer had with Barbara Nicklaus. Even in the hottest parts of their husbands' rivalry, these two ladies stayed close friends.

O'Connor also goes into the PGA's history on institutionalized racism and castigates Palmer and Nicklaus for their selfishness and inaction in that area. While Palmer remains a man of the people, he was blind to the racism of the golf world towards those of color. Nicklaus fares just as poorly. O'Connor rightly applauds Gary Player for his courage and grace in being far more vocal and active in that area. BTW, Player won more Grand Slams than Palmer.

The book does not try to explain Arnold Palmer's immense charisma, which I have seen in an odd way, firsthand. My wife is no sports fan at all. But about 10 years ago, I happened to be watching some Seniors golf tournament with the sound low. For some reason, my wife was watching intently one golfer. It was Arnold Palmer, certain no young stud. But even without words, his warmth and charisma captured my wife. Amazing.

I was disappointed that O'Connor did not speak to current touring pros about Nicklaus and Palmer. Feinstein's "Good Walk Spoiled" had some interesting material on how Palmer remains an influence on the current PGA Tour. Nor did O'Connor speculate on what people see as a modern version of Nicklaus-Palmer, Woods-Mickelson.

Minor quibbles, it is a great book.