Rating: 
Summary: Simply Wonderful!!
Review: I am a more recent golf fan and not a player, but I devoured this book from page one and loved it. The author fills in wonderful details of Bobby Jones' legendary life and career (what a marvelous man he must have been), as well as telling a gripping story of a mythical relationship between him and the young player whose own meteor never had a chance to streak across the sky. Naturally golf lovers will love it, but that said, I think anyone who enjoys a good sports story or a story about great relationships tested in tough times will also love it. It's a jewel of a book -- don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: This book was written for me
Review: I am equal parts history buff and golf enthusiast. I could spend all day reading about two events: the sinking of the Titanic and the 1986 Masters. I am sure ther are many others out there like me. if so, the novel "The Greatest Player Who Never Lived" by Michael Veron, was also written for you. It is difficult to describe how captivated I became while reading about the relationship between Beau Stedman and Bobby Jones. Veron's writing style could not be clearer; his character and plot development are as compelling as any Grisham, Clancy or Follet novel i've read. The ultimate compliment for an author comes when the reader is so enthralled with a book that the reader feels an ovewhelming urge to contact the author personally to thank him. I am in the process of trying to locate Mr. Veron.
Rating:
Summary: A Spectacular Read
Review: I am so impressed! What a terrific book! Mr. Veron brought Beau Stedman to life and made Bobby Jones alive once more. I don't think I can come up with enough superlatives for this book. It was great in every way. The writing was superb; the plot-line kept you going until the end; the descriptiveness of the golf courses made you feel as though you were there. I had to continually remind myself that this was, in fact, fiction as I felt myself wanting to look up information about Beau Stedman to find out more about him. I know Mr. Veron is a lawyer but I think he has a great career ahead of him as a writer. I highly recommend this book and look forward to his next book.
Rating: 
Summary: What a crock!
Review: I checked out the audio version of this story at the local library. I don't really read fiction and searched the box for any indication that it was fiction or non-fiction. There was none. I checked it out and was awed by the story with all the references to real life golfers and the matches played against them. References to the USGA and Arnold Palmer speaking with reporters, I assumed it was a work of non-fiction. I continued looking for any kind of proof and was skeptical, but the book was convincing enough. I came here to buy the hard-copy for myself but was upset to learn that it was a fictional account. This from a man who is on the USGA rules committee. This is like hitting his ball in the rough, not finding it but dropping one down and not taking the penalty. It's abhorrent and I truly hope any future work Veron might do, that he make it obviously clear that this is a work of fiction instead of hiding behind a guise. This is Syd Finch with a golf club and I can only be satisfied that I spent no money on this garbage but merely wasted my time. Steve White
Greensboro, NC
Rating:
Summary: What a crock!
Review: I checked out the audio version of this story at the local library. I don't really read fiction and searched the box for any indication that it was fiction or non-fiction. There was none. I checked it out and was awed by the story with all the references to real life golfers and the matches played against them. References to the USGA and Arnold Palmer speaking with reporters, I assumed it was a work of non-fiction. I continued looking for any kind of proof and was skeptical, but the book was convincing enough. I came here to buy the hard-copy for myself but was upset to learn that it was a fictional account. This from a man who is on the USGA rules committee. This is like hitting his ball in the rough, not finding it but dropping one down and not taking the penalty. It's abhorrent and I truly hope any future work Veron might do, that he make it obviously clear that this is a work of fiction instead of hiding behind a guise. This is Syd Finch with a golf club and I can only be satisfied that I spent no money on this garbage but merely wasted my time. Steve White
Greensboro, NC
Rating: 
Summary: Mildly entertaining, but mostly disappointing
Review: I generally like golf fiction, but this novel was not one of my favorites. The book involves a first year law student who is spending his summer interning at the law firm where Bobby Jones had worked. He is assigned the task of organizing and cataloging Bobby Jones' old files. During the summer, he discovers notes and correspondence about a mysterious golfer/client named Beau Stedman. According to the story, Beau Stedman had been quite the young phenom golfer prior to being accused of murder. Set against this backdrop, the story becomes part John Grisham novel and part "Bagger Vance." Unfortunately, it doesn't do either well. There is not enough intrigue to keep you in suspense and not enough "magic" or "mysticism" to keep you amused. Having said all of that, the book is still mildly entertaining. For a more enjoyable read within this genre, I would recommend "The Legend of Bagger Vance", "Golf in the Kingdom" or "Miracle on the 17th Green."
Rating:
Summary: The New York Times...
Review: I had heard a few of my friends speak of the virtues of this book, but being a New Yorker, it was only when the Times wrote about the book... no raved about the book, that I went out and got it. The Times were critical of the myriad of golf books that just don't cut it, and I share their view. I also share their view that this is one special book, one that could even get "cult status." A novel that is for all readers of good writing, young, old, men, women...golfers and non-golfers alike. I highly recommend this book. You won't be able to put it down and within two days you will be looking for the authors next book! I will join his fan club and put it next to my latest Grisham !
Rating:
Summary: To Kill A Mockingbird?
Review: I had heard about this book and when it arrived, the back cover had the Miami Herald comparing it with To Kill A Mockingbird. It is rare when such an endorsement is backed up with what is actually between the books covers. After the first 30-40 pages I couldn't put the book down. Every time I thought I had the plot figured out, it twisted another way. The way the main character, Beau Stedman had his life ripped away from him at such an early age, and had to carve a new one was spectacular. The development of the characters, the southern setting and the plot were all very well done. The author's writing style was very crisp and very readable. I would highly recommend this book for any avid reader of fiction and certainly anyone who has any interest whatsoever in golf. One question I did have, how much of this book is based on fact, as a majority of the book was so realistic, I just don't think the author could have thought it up, or if he did, he will undoubtedly get a big following.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I have been trying to write a book like this for the past 20
years. Great fiction is born, not just made. God inspires People
with Great talent. I am jellous that My writting doesnt come
close to this quallty. This is a story that one just cant
put down. If I could write something like this My Dad would
be proud of me.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I have been trying to write a book like this for the past 20
years. Great fiction is born, not just made. God inspires People
with Great talent. I am jellous that My writting doesnt come
close to this quallty. This is a story that one just cant
put down. If I could write something like this My Dad would
be proud of me.
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