Synopses & Reviews
At the heart of Tiger Woods' accomplishments is the special bond he shares with his father, mentor and first goal coach, Earl Woods. In
Playing Through, Tiger's dad shares the never-before-told story of the Woods family. Part autobiography and part ultimate insider's biography of Tiger,
Playing Through is Earl Woods' opportunity to have his say and pass on lessons he has learned along the way.
For the first time, Earl faces the critics and cynics, addressing head-on the controversies and rumors that have grabbed headlines. In this brutally honest account of life with Tiger, Earl reveals how Tiger struggled to adapt to life as a pro, the racial attacks and hate mail, the painful sacrifices the family made throughout the years and the real reasons Tiger left Stanford after just two years. He also tells the untold story of what happened the night before Tiger's Masters' victory and the unique philosophy behind all of Tiger's actions, professional and personal.
Earl also shares his own stunning story. Raised by his sister after losing both of his parents by the time he was 13, he chose the military over a promising baseball career. He reveals the racial barriers that tortured him throughout his Army days, how he found his calling in the Green Berets and shocking details about his two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he met and befriended the original "Tiger," for whom his famous son is named. Woven throughout his recollections is the legacy of his mother and the lessons she imparted to him about family, faith and hard work -- all of which helped Earl to nurture and guide his son's talent.
A tribute to Tiger, to the powerful role of family and the bonds between fathers and sons and to the sport that has made so much possible for the Woods family, Earl's words will inspire all of us to work hard, dream big and "play through" life's challenges.
Synopsis
In this outspoken and motivational memoir, Earl Woods, the father and mentor of golf superstar Tiger Woods and author of the bestseller Training a Tiger (270,000 hardcover copies sold), shares the inspiring story of the Woods family as well as his views on everything from Tiger's career and the PGA to racism and inner strength.
The Rise of Golfer Tiger Woods is the Most Dramatic sports story of the decade. From child prodigy to three-time U.S. Amateur Champion to record-breaking winner of the 1997 Masters in his first year as a pro, Tiger Woods has achieved more in his 21 years than most athletes will in a lifetime. But he didn't get there on his own. In Playing Through, Tiger's dad relates fascinating stories of Tiger's precocious youth; discusses the crushing difficulties of living in the camera's eye, dealing with fans, and coping with racial tensions; and gives a unique, behind the scenes look at the PGA tour. Part autobiography, part meditation on the care and nurturing of celebrity, and part ultimate insider's biography of Tiger Woods, Playing Through is Earl Woods's reflection on a lifetime of experiences as a father and a teacher in the center of a media firestorm.
With Earl Woods's straight-shooting wisdom and natural flair for storytelling, plus a revealing foreword by Tiger Woods, Playing Through will be one of this season's most requested books, succeeding both as a testament to the powerful emotional bond between father and son and an insightful look at what it takes to make a champion.
About the Author
Earl Woods was the first African-American baseball player in the Big Eight Conference. When his parents advised him to put away his baseball glove to pursue a career in education, he listened -- but when his country called, he served two tours as a Green Beret in Vietnam. Woods remained in the army where he taught until he retired with the rank of colonel in 1974. Earl's experiences have uniquely qualified him as a teacher, coach and mentor and he sees his work with son Tiger's golf and academic careers as the culmination of his life's work.
Peter McDaniel is an award-winning senior writer at Golf Digest magazine.