The Masters golf tournament weaves a hypnotic spell. It is the toughest ticket in sports; with black-market tickets selling for $10;000 and more. Success at Augusta National breeds legends; while failure can overshadow even the most brilliant of careers. But as Curt Sampson; author of the bestselling Hogan; reveals in The Masters; a cold heart beats behind the warm antebellum façade of this famous Augusta course. And that heart belongs to the man who killed himself on the grounds two decades ago. Club and tournament founder Clifford Roberts; a New York stockbroker; still seems to run the place from his grave. An elusive and reclusive figure; Roberts pulled the strings that made the Masters the greatest golf tournament in the world. His story--including his relationship with presidents; power brokers; and every golf champion from Bobby Jones to Arnold Palmer to Jack Nicklaus--has never been told. Until now. The Masters is an amazing slice of history; taking us inside the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower; Augusta's most famous member. It is a look at how the new South coexists with the old South: the relationships between blacks and whites; between Southerners and Northerners; between rich and poor--with such characters as James Brown; the Godfather of Soul; the great boxer Beau Jack; and Frank Stranahan; the playboy golfer and the only white pro ever banned from the tournament. The Masters is a spellbinding portrait of a tournament unlike any other.
#512544 in Books Jon Kukla 2004-08-10 2004-08-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.98 x 1.08 x 5.20l; .92 #File Name: 0375707611444 pagesA Wilderness So Immense The Louisiana Purchase and the Destiny of America
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Total Picture on How the LouisIana Purchase Became a PossibilityBy Daniel HurleyFor anyone fascinated with the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery; they will find this well written book an excellent precursor to that incredible exploration. The author provides fascinating detail; in easy to read style; on the major impact players involved in The acquisition of Louisiana. It all starts first with the possible separation of the New England states led by John Jay that was engineered literally under the table for an exchange of trade with Spain; sacrificing navigation and trade rights on the Mississippi. The possible road block or river tariffs enraged the Kentuckians that were ready to conquer New Orleans under the command of George Rogers Clark. Those in Kentucky were frustrated by a lack of action by the original colonial states to consider their own separation. Adding to this complication were the secret actions of General Wilkerson (U.S.) who was not only a secret agent of Spain's but entertained plans of secession first for Kentucky and later in Louisiana. In Europe; the death of the great Carlos III; King of Spain who was not only highly competent but enlisted the aid of excellent counsel; changed the entire situation. The death of his eldest son followed by the sudden death of Carlos III opened up the throne to the next in line; Carlos IV who only had hunting in common with his father> Carlos IV defers the control of Spain to his wife who has intrigues; sexual favors (some historians dispute; but the author says look at the children and you'll agree with him) and political favorites of her own. The capacity of those governing the Spanish control of Louisiana is run for the most part but enter another complication; France and Napoleon. As the author explains; Napoleon's expansion into Europe; conquering Spain opens up his access by treaty to acquiring Louisiana. France's ownership is complicated by Napleon's severe military setback in Haiti; lack of cash and the future war with England. Napoleon was also aware of the possibility of a large force of Americans were considering taking the river and ports by force. Fortunately; President Jefferson makes the famous offer of purchase made successful by his highly competent diplomat and the late arrival of James Monroe. The multiple intrigues and complications are amazingly neutralized to create a very unusual transfer over a short ceremony; Spain to France; France to the U.S. An amazing story and where diplomacy succeeded; Clark was ready to take it with a 5;000 man militia. An excellent telling of our greatest acquisition; without war. The digital version includes maps that are very good and expand to a full page.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Background on the Louisiana PurchaseBy P. R. SmithI purchased this book thinking it would include the experiences of Lewis and Clark. As I read further I was wondering when the author was going to get to Lewis and Clark but about a fourth of the way I realized it wasn't about them. However; I am pleased that I read this book. It is an excellent compilation of the events in the U.S.; France; and Spain; along with some other matters in Europe and the Caribbean; that resulted in the U.S. purchasing the vast territory west of the Mississippi. I have read other books that touched on the French Revolution; thinking it was largely inspired by the earlier American Revolution. I learned in this book that a devastating hail storm in July followed by a drought and severe winter set conditions that brought the under current that turned into the French Revolution to fruition. Nor did I know that French efforts to rein in a slave revolt in what is now Haiti contributed to the Louisiana purchase. The author brings events to life and develops characters quite well; making the book enjoyable. If you have ever wondered what motivated Napoleon the make the sale; read this book and you will know.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Everything you wanted to know and then some about the ...By TIRE P.Everything you wanted to know and then some about the Louisiana Purchase. The sale itself was one of the far reaching results of the French Revolution and splitting up the territory became one of the causes of the US Civil War. That covers a lot of history. The intrigue that was involved in Europe shows you that many things are still the same as they are today. Jim Melvinpeople
