[.ca] Payne Stewart (ISBN 0805424792)

From Amazon.com:
The problem with most authorized biographies is just that--they're authorized. They praise, adore, defend, excuse, inspire, whitewash, and love their subjects, which, in the end, conspires to keep the reader at a distance. Tracey Stewart's homage to her late husband Payne Stewart does all of that. It rarely allows a closer view than that available from where she witnessed most of his stirring final round victory in the 1999 U.S. Open: on TV. Which is too bad, because the sartorially splendid golfer was more interesting and complex than that. Despite his deep family and religious convictions--when he played, he wore a bracelet with initials that stood for "What Would Jesus Do?"--he was certainly no saint; his early reputation as a hell-raiser was matched by a palpable whiff of arrogance later on. His accomplishments--three majors among them--were great, but his flaws were at least as fascinating as his successes. So, of course, was his tragic end, in an almost unimaginably bizarre plane crash not long after his great comeback triumphs in the Open and as a member of the victorious Ryder Cup team. All the necessary facts are here. So are the various scriptures and devotionals Stewart relied on, the joys he felt in coaching his son's soccer team, his wrenching loss at the '98 Open, and the tears of relief he shed when he won at Pebble Beach--and, of course, Pinehurst--a year later. And so, too, is the occasional startling detail that defines a life--such as his son's request to bury his father in Payne's favorite Jimmy Buffett T-shirt, and Tracey's having to explain that no body was recovered from the plane crash. But too few other moments bring anything approaching that candid closeness. The rest comes off like a life passed through a protective filter, leaving the reader where golfers would rather not be--on the fringe. --Tally Swinfen

one great man:
this book was amazing. granted it could have been written a lot better, but it's understandable from the view thata his wife is writing this book shortly after his tragic death. tracey wrote well, but got a little boring here and there. other than that, this was great. i never knew the story of payne and his career untill i read this. it was truley a proof to me that he was a great father, husband, golfer, friend, and man. enjoy it!

Great Book not Only For Golfers , but for everyone:
I bought this book because of my best friend . We are two golf junkies from Kentucky . We both have our favorite golfers mine being John Daly , his being the late Payne Stewart. I thought maybe i could one up him a time or too on Payne Stewart , and rib him a little but when i began and finished the book, it inspired me unbelievably . In the book , Tracey Stewart talks about the struggles of life and the PGA Tour. During Paynes fathers death , he was strong and held on to strive . It inspires you not to give up hope when life throws a curve ball at you . The book also shows how spirtuality , and setting priorities on life can help you out tremendously in the long run . Payne Stewart lived a great and inspiring life , and this Biography touches on all aspects of it . A Great book

Golfing Career & Life Challenges:
An exellent book about the life of a golfer who had many challenges in life, both golf and personal, which were shared by his wife. It is a good book that both golfers and non golfers can relate to regarding the many challenges we are all faced with and the attempt to determine and understand what is most important in our lives. It is too bad that Payne's life was shortened since he just began to understand and execute his priorities for his life and set a role for others.

For the Payne Stewart fan..........:
Make no bones about it, I was a Payne Stewart junkie. I followed every professional step he took and tuned in where and when I could to watch him and his perfect swing. As such, I, of course, loved this book and consumed it in one sitting. It is upbeat, inspirational, and a wonderful testament to an American original. Those who were not Payne Stewart fans, however, may find the book less objective, having been written by his wife, than they may desire. Tracey Stewart is the ultimate Payne Stewart fan and she celebrates his life through every page. This sits just fine with me, but, for the uninitiated, may play as cheerleading. As well she should. Payne Stewart remains one of the most inspiring people to ever play the game of golf.

A Great Man and Great Golfer:
This book is a must have book about the life and times of one of Golfs most flamboyunt golfer (the knickers) and the way Payne spoke his mind. I bought this book because Payne was one of my favorite golfers. This book was very intresting talked about the ups and downs of life on the PGA tour. I am glad that Payne relized that there is more to life than just golf. Family and relationship with God. This is a must have book.