It’s been a while since our last Book Review, and this time I’ll be trying something new. You get two reviews for the price of one this time, and the common thread between the two is….me.
These two are fine contributions on two of my very favorite topics – journalism and golf. I read these books back-to-back but make no mistake. The two couldn’t be any more different.
The journalism choice is “The Hearsts.’’ It’s an old creation, having been published by Roberts Rinehart of Colorado in 1991, and it seemed a lot longer than its 354 pages because it contained lots of interesting details and classic photos. I found it browsing through a cozy book store in Door County, Wisconsin. The store presented its biographies in alphabetical order by subject matter. I’ve never seen that done before and felt it a great idea. Other book stores should follow suit.
The golf choice is “A Fool’s Errand,’’ the first book written by Ryan Schiff. He’s a golf nut like me with deep Chicago roots and a passion for hockey that may even have become stronger than his love for golf. I couldn’t be sure after breezing through his 140-page paperback. A friend of mine in the sports-writing world sent me Schiff’s book, thinking I might like it – and I definitely did.
So, without further ado, age takes precedence so “The Hearsts’’ goes first.
THIS AUTHOR was a Hearst – William Randolph Hearst Jr., the son of the founder of a huge media empire that changed the face of American journalism before his death in 1951. Hearst Jr. grew up on the family’s famous California estate, San Simeon, and followed his father into the newspaper business. His crowning achievement was winning a Pulitzer Prize in 1955 for an interview with Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev.
Hearst Jr. used Jack Casserly as a “co-author’’ but this book was all about the Hearst family. Hearst Sr. was colorful, controversial, extravagant and versatile. He dabbled in California politics and took a long-time mistress, actress Marion Davies, and was the focal point of Orson Welles’ movie “Citizen Kane.’’
Both Hearsts worked with journalistic legends Damon Runyon, Westbrook Pegler, Walter Winchell, Dorothy Kilgallen and Bob Considine and they traveled in celebrity circles that included David Niven, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable and Howard Hughes. All were discussed in “The Hearsts’’ and not all were presented in a favorable light.
That’s just a sampling of the broad scope the Hearsts – particularly Hearst Sr. – had during a most colorful life during which his journalistic empire included nearly 30 newspapers headed by the New York Journal American, Atlanta Georgian, Chicago Herald and Examiner, Washington Herald and Times, San Francisco Examiner and Los Angeles Herald. He also owned radio stations, magazines, a film company and a book publishing company.
Hearst Sr. was giant in the journalism industry and he emerges as a bigger-than-life personality – which he certainly appeared to be in his heyday. I can’t think of any journalistic figure who rivaled his impact on the world stage.
AND NOW for Schiff’s “A Foot’s Errand.’’ That’s a great title for this one. Schiff eventually wanted to play all of golf’s “Top 100’’ courses. Lots of people have wanted to do that, and a few have succeeded.
An unnamed friend, however, told Schiff early on that such an accomplishment was indeed “a fool’s errand.’’ I agree, and Schiff came to that conclusion as his appreciation of the sport grew. (He did, though, get up to playing 99 of the “Top 100).’’
Schiff detailed how his interest in golf development, starting as a 12-year old when a 70-something neighbor asked him to join him on the course. His interest grew from there, thanks to a job as a caddie, family developments, business opportunities, private club connections and widespread friendships that developed through playing experiences.
In most cases where golfers make attempts at playing all the famous courses, they turn into name-droppers. They make a point of listing all the ones they were fortunate enough to play. Schiff didn’t do that.
In fact, while working his way through the years, he played a lot of courses and mentioned only a few by name. (I could pick up a few thinly veiled courses in the Chicago area and a few well known ones that I’d played through my golf writing endeavors).
I do appreciate Schiff’s approach to writing his book. I’ve been disturbed by recent developments in the sport, mostly on the professional side, that suggest bitterness, anger, conflict and rivalry issues that don’t reflect what golf was meant to be. It’s a great game to play whether you’re good (I’m not, to be sure). I’ve met a lot of nice people through golf, though unfortunately not as many as Schiff.
I’m comfortable celebrating any good shots, accepting the bad ones and – more than anything – appreciating the friends I’ve made through the game and reflecting on the fun courses I’ve played. Hats off to Schiff for sharing that sentiment and writing about it. A fun read, with a message to boot.