Another book about Tiger Woods? When I heard about `Tiger, Tiger’ I wondered why. After all, it’s obvious that this once great golfer’s playing career is in obvious decline.
And then I considered the author. James Patterson is not just one of the most prolific writers over at least the last few decades. He’s also one of the very, very best. His work is popular in both the fiction and non-fiction areas.
He’s created some unforgettable characters, most notably in his Alex Cross series. He’s also done true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon and Princess Diana and brought to light the horrendous sex scandal account of Jeffrey Epstein. He’s co-authored novels with, among others, Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton and told his own story in the appropriately named “James Patterson by James Patterson.’’
What else could this guy do?
Well, `Tiger, Tiger’ (Little Brown and Company, Hachette Book Group, littlebrown.com) is – at the very least – the first full-scale Woods biography. The complete title includes “His life as it’s never been told before.’’
A lot of books have been written with Woods as a main character, but nothing from this perspective. Woods’ extraordinary career merits it.
Patterson does it chronologically. The chapters are very short, usually about five pages. Each begins with a site, a location and a date. It’s 439 pages and you don’t breeze through it in a few sittings. There’s no pictures to break up or enhance the copy. Still, it’s easy reading.
Woods’ relationship with his father, Earl, and his own with his son Charlie, are particularly endearing.
For the avid golfer it stirs all sorts of memories – of Woods’ spectacular victories as well as his human shortcomings and personal health challenges. It’s a very fair appraisal of Woods’ life. There’s no going overboard on the good times – or the bad ones.