In Search of Burningbush [Paperback]

Michael Konik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 2005

A deeply moving true-life tale of courage, wisdom, and friendship between two men united by their love of golf

Critically acclaimed In Search of Burningbush is a beautifully written true-life story of an unlikely friendship between two men with nothing in common except a consuming and abiding passion for the links. Michael, a successful young journalist, and Don, a middle-aged card dealer with brittle-bone disease, go to Scotland in search of the mystical course “Burningbush.” As Don struggles with his physical challenges, Michael struggles to keep the game--and life--in perspective.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Praise for In Search of Burningbush:

"Few authors write as passionately about the game of golf as Michael Konik. In Search of Burningbush communicates why the greatest sport in the world has touched so many lives so deeply, including mine."--Jack Nicklaus

"As the story of one man's quest to experience the ultimate in golf in Scotland despite all odds, it is an inspirational must-read for golf fanatics."--Ty M. Votaw, LPGA Commissioner

"Part travelogue, part inner discovery, part golf appreciation--overall, wholly enjoyable."--Toronto Star

"Traveling to Scotland with Konik and Naifeh offers a fine journey for all who have ever entertained thoughts of playing the game where it originated."--Huntsville Times

A deeply moving true-life tale of courage, wisdom, and friendship between two men united by their love of golf

Critically acclaimed In Search of Burningbush is a beautifully written true-life story of an unlikely friendship between two men with nothing in common except a consuming and abiding passion for the links. Michael, a successful young journalist, and Don, a middle-aged card dealer with brittle-bone disease, journey to Scotland in search of the mystical course Burningbush. As Don struggles with his physical challenges, Michael struggles to keep the game--and life--in perspective.

About the Author

Michael Konik is the author of four previous books, including the wildly popular The Man with the $100,000 Breasts. His writing has appeared in more than 100 publications worldwide, including the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and Travel & Leisure.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (December 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071467327
• ISBN-13: 978-0071467322
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,841,992 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Search of Burningbush, April 17, 2008

By 

Marc J. Poulos "golfnut" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Search of Burningbush (Paperback)

"In search of Burningbush by Michael Kunik is a revealing tale, more about life than golf. It is a memoir of Kunik going to Scotland to play golf with an extremely passionate golfer who loves the game more then anything. Don Naifeh is the name of the man and is a poker dealer in Las Vegas. There is one problem with him. He has Osteoporosis or "brittle bone disease". This makes him extremely fragile. One trip and he's in the hospital with a couple of broken wrists and a fractured rib. Don is also a member of the "Shivas Irons Society" which is a club that almost worships Michael Murphy's "Golf in the Kingdom". Murphy's books describes a man from India that goes a links somewhere in Scotland and meets a man named Shivas Irons who does all these amazing things, such as making hole-in-ones in the dark and many other impossible feats. The story takes place during the 1800s.
Michael Kunik is a travel magazine editor who gets to go anywhere in the world for extremely cheap. When he meets Don at the World Series of Poker in Vegas he immediately sets up a tee-time. Not soon after their first outing talk about Scotland begins and how Michael has been there many times and Don has never been. With in a month they are on their way to Scotland. Don is in heaven and Michael is just happy that Don is happy. Don is always on the look out for the course from "Golf in the Kingdom", called Burningbush. At the end of the book the two golf nuts find and in the process learn a lot about themselves and each other.
I believe that Kunik was trying to teach more life lessons than golf lessons. Every part of the book had some connection to everyday life. Kunik definitely accomplished what he was trying to do and taught me more than a few life lessons.
I did not find any weaknesses for "In Search of Burningbush". I found that this book was beautifully written and reads just like fiction. I liked this book because it was about so much more than just golf. The life lessons taught in the book are fundamental for, not just golfers, but everyone.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply Moving Story, June 11, 2007

By 

Ms. Peaches (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Search of Burningbush (Paperback)

This book only pretends to be about golf in Scotland. It's really an elegant exploration of Life. If that sounds heavy, it's not. Konik is one of the most graceful writers I've ever read. He has a way of exploring Big Ideas in a gentle and conversational way. You're reading about looking for a mystical golf course or two mismatched buddies trying to win a match on St. Andrews, and then you realize, "Wait a minute: he's really talking about what life is like for all of us." I've read this book three times, and each time I get something new from it. You can enjoy this touching story on so many levels. It's a great travel book, it's a great sports book, and it's a great "relationship" book. It's in a category of its own. "In Search of Burningbush," in my opinion, is Konik's best book, and one of my all-time favorites.

5.0 out of 5 stars In Search of the Burning Bush, March 2, 2010

By 

A. Williams (E Stroudsburg,PA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Search of Burningbush (Paperback)

This was a great read. The author easily transported you to Scotland and made you feel as if you were with he and his golf buddy throughout the book. It was fun and informative and a great way to spend some winter evenings. Highly recommend this book to anyone who is yearning to take a "buddy trip" to Great Britain.