March 21, 2005
Mickelson was long known as "golf's most lovable runner-up" until he finally won the Masters in 2004, 14 years since his only other major win (at the U.S. Open). He's become a crowd favorite second only to Tiger Woods not only because of his dry spell but also because of his legendary work ethic. Indeed, he begins this book by describing his famous pretournament routine of hitting 100 three-foot putts in a row without missing, no matter how many shots it takes. This and other insights into the methods of a pro golfer are the most fascinating parts of Mickelson's text. Each of the 18 chapters begins and ends with detailed descriptions of how Mickelson played each hole of his Masters' victory (e.g., how he "analyzed the shot dispersion patterns for both right-handed and left-handed golfers" to figure out that the tournament's 12th hole is "set up perfectly for a left-handed player" such as himself). However, the bulk of the book is devoted to the story of Mickelson's life. Although these passages are often moving (concerning his battle to overcome a deep playing slump and his wife's nearly fatal delivery of their third child), the story is marred by frequent generalizations like "success is more rewarding when it is difficult to achieve" and "picking your life partner is a critical decision" for "personal happiness." More golfing and fewer inspirational insights would've strengthened Mickelson's eventually triumphant tale. Agents, Steve Loy and Bob Barnett. (Mar. 21)
Correction:
The publisher of Lewis Black's Nothing's Sacred
(Forecasts, Mar. 7) is Simon Spotlight Entertainment.
March 15, 2005
Mickelson's victory in the 2004 Masters golf tournament, his first "major" tournament win after 42 tries, was one of the most exciting, fan-friendly moments in recent sports history. The inevitable follow-up book has arrived right on schedule, just in time for this year's Masters. Perhaps it's the fault of all that visualization top golfers employ to hit their best shots, but their autobiographies rarely remove the rose-colored glasses. This one doesn't either, as Mickelson combines a shot-by-shot replay of his triumphant Masters final round with backstory on his life up to that point. The string of homilies about the importance of family, his love for his children, and his respect for his parents is clearly heartfelt, though the blandness of the telling will inspire most readers to skip quickly to the golf parts. Fortunately, Mickelson's shot-by-shot narrative has all the crispness and detail-rich insight that his personal reflections lack. As we walk the azalea-lined Augusta National fairways with Mickelson, we see how his course knowledge affects his decisions on club selection and shot shape--common themes of golf commentators--but we see these matters in a much more personalized and precise way than we hear about them on TV. Golf fans will want to hear what Phil has to say about each of Augusta' s 18 holes before watching this year's tournament.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)