The Chosen One: Tiger Woods and the Dilemma of Greatness [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

David Owen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2001

Great athletes hold out the hope of perfection - and the few truly transcendent ones soar above the others, above their games and above the rules of the past. Tiger Woods has taken his sport to a new level of popularity and drama; but is he too good for the good of his game? Will his talent, and his ongoing development of it, damage the sport he loves and honours? In "The Chosen One", essayist David Owen expands upon his much-discussed piece for "The New Yorker" to put Wood's otherworldly accomplishments in a historical perspective and show how, at the age of 25, the only shadow Tiger is chasing is his own. Woods is revealed as a breakthrough athlete in every sense: his reputation as a golfer is already legendary; his African-American, Asian, Native American and Caucasian roots make him one of professional sport's first truly multicultural icons; and the extent of his fame and wealth is unparalleled in the world of sport and marketing. In this book, Owen ponders the social, political and economic implications of a man in the process of reshaping the worldm.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Not a biography, this study of the Tiger Woods phenomenon expands on an article Owen did for The New Yorker.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From The New Yorker

After Tiger Woods won the British Open last year, the South African golfer Ernie Els joked, "Maybe make the holes bigger for us and a little smaller for him." Owen explores the ways in which Woods's outsized accomplishments have transformed not only his own game but everyone else's.
Copyright © 2005 The New Yorker

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743222342
• ISBN-13: 978-0743222341
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,061,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Owen is a staff writer for The New Yorker and a contributing editor of Golf Digest, and he is the author of a dozen books. He lives in northwest Connecticut with his wife, the writer Ann Hodgman. Learn more at www.davidowen.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GOLF'S ANNOINTED, July 1, 2002

By 

Bonita L. Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chosen One: Tiger Woods and the Dilemma of Greatness (Hardcover)

Over the past century golf has produced some of the greatest players of all times. None, however, have reached the caliber of skill and magnitude of Eldrick "Tiger" Woods. In such a short time and at an early age Tiger has raised the sport of golf to a higher level. Who is this young man who has broken golf records, establishes new ones and inspires a new generation to seriously take up the sport of golf?

David Owen deals with that question in this well written and concise book about Tiger Woods and his impact upon golf. He examines Woods' training, his place in history, his impact on the sport and the public's fascination with him. As a contributing editor of Golf Digest, our author doesn't inundate you with Woods' golf statistics. Nor does he give you an in depth expose of Tiger's life. Owen gives a positive even handed treatment of Woods life and career. He is just as fascinated with this young phenomenon of golf as we are but doesn't worship Woods. He respects and admires this young sportsman.

I enjoyed this book because it enlighten me about the development of Woods' career. Tiger comes across as a disciplined young man who is highly competitive, focused and has high expectations of himself and for those around him. His aura and the way he has carried himself forces his opponents to improve their game. Tiger's impact upon golf is immense as Owen has shown throughout the story.

This is an excellent book for fans of Woods, golf enthusiasts and those who love sports in general. I am not a sports fan but I picked up this book in passing. I was impressed by Woods' character, discipline and commitment. I highly recommend this book which has given us a snap shot of a true sportsman that adults and young people can admire and emulate. Woods has made himself one of the greatest golf players of all time but he has transcended the game. He serves as an example of excellence for life whose lessons we can certainly take to heart.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The chosen One, February 10, 2005

By 

amy smith "amelia langford" (florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chosen One: Tiger Woods and the Dilemma of Greatness (Hardcover)

The Chosen one was a very interesting book . But it only told about Tiger Wood's career and his life when he was older , getting into golf tornments and training . But otherwise it is a very good book if you were just wanting to know how he won tournments and becomeing famous . Also it told about how Tiger Woods was ridiculed by his race and how young he was , which was a problem towards his career due to reporters and newspapers.Tiger was also known as one of the multicultrual icons . Also what was interesting to people is Tiger was guided by his father rather than being pushed on.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Has some gems, September 7, 2002

By 

Amit Chaudhary (Silicon Valley, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chosen One: Tiger Woods and the Dilemma of Greatness (Hardcover)

A collection of few chapters with the authors own ideas and thoughts thrown in too liberally, it is more of the author's view of Tiger Woods. Does not qualify as an biography, just a bunch of articles. Does has a few gems which make it worthwhile.