Rating: 
Summary: Another Masterpiece by James Dodson
Review: One need not look any further than the magical pages of The Dewsweepers (or Final Rounds) to understand why those of us play this beautiful game. The Dewsweepers takes the reader to far greater places than the golf course (freudian slip). Instead, it is a journey into life's unexpected twists and turns -- yet always returning to peace and tranquil feeling that only golf provides. It reminds all -- that Friendship is more important than breaking 80. Like Final Rounds, The Dewsweepers is eloquently written. The diversity of characters can be a bit confusing but all in all it is a very good read. I'd really rate this 4 1/2 Stars, falling just short of Final Rounds.
Rating: 
Summary: A little too pretentious
Review: The fundamental flaw of this book is that the author tries to pass himself off as everyman. We are supposed to be able to identify with his golf buddies and feel a kinship with the friendship he feels with his fellow Dewsweepers (the guys he golfs with). The problem is that most of us don't get to golf all over the world and at the most prestigious golf courses in our own country. He continually name drops throughout the book. He golfs with his buddy Arnold Palmer and seems to know many of the influential names in the world of golf. If his intention was to show us an example of golf friendships that we could identify with, he fell short.I golf with my golf buddies every Sunday at a course where we pay ($$$) to play eighteen holes. We only dream of being able to hop on a plane and fly to Europe or Pebble Beach at the drop of a hat (like the author does with his fellow Dewsweepers). For most of us, a round at Pebble Beach is a lifelong dream that will probably go unfulfilled. For the author of this book, it is just an average day and a prelude to better rounds to come. If you are a wealthy country club member and enjoy reading about the lifestyle that you are currently enjoying, this is the book for you. If you aren't, skip this book, call three of your buddies, and head out to the nearest public course. It will be a better way to spend your afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: A little too pretentious
Review: The fundamental flaw of this book is that the author tries to pass himself off as everyman. We are supposed to be able to identify with his golf buddies and feel a kinship with the friendship he feels with his fellow Dewsweepers (the guys he golfs with). The problem is that most of us don't get to golf all over the world and at the most prestigious golf courses in our own country. He continually name drops throughout the book. He golfs with his buddy Arnold Palmer and seems to know many of the influential names in the world of golf. If his intention was to show us an example of golf friendships that we could identify with, he fell short. I golf with my golf buddies every Sunday at a course where we pay ($$$) to play eighteen holes. We only dream of being able to hop on a plane and fly to Europe or Pebble Beach at the drop of a hat (like the author does with his fellow Dewsweepers). For most of us, a round at Pebble Beach is a lifelong dream that will probably go unfulfilled. For the author of this book, it is just an average day and a prelude to better rounds to come. If you are a wealthy country club member and enjoy reading about the lifestyle that you are currently enjoying, this is the book for you. If you aren't, skip this book, call three of your buddies, and head out to the nearest public course. It will be a better way to spend your afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: Great writing, horrible editing and proofreading!
Review: Wow. I have read some of James Dodson's previous novels, namely Final Rounds and Faithful Travelers, and once again he paints a charming and smoothly-flowing story about his life between his divorce and trip with daughter Maggie (as described in Faithful Travelers) and the not-yet-occurring adventure in Europe with his son Jack (in The Road to Somewhere). This period of his life finds him rekindling his passion for golf and love while undergoing more trials and tribulations within his family... and not the somewhat-expected kind he dealt with in Final Rounds. What surprised me greatly about this book was the shoddy editing and/or proofreading I discovered. Three different golfer's names were mispelled, and on several occasions a double letter turned into a triple lettter (yes, just as I demonstrated). I suppose if I didn't expect books to be grammatically perfect it wouldn't be such a big deal, but come on... the guy shouldn't settle for such sub-par post-writing work on what is another great story. In fact, it's the lack of proofreading that keeps me from giving it the five stars this book probably deserves.
Rating:
Summary: Great writing, horrible editing and proofreading!
Review: Wow. I have read some of James Dodson's previous novels, namely Final Rounds and Faithful Travelers, and once again he paints a charming and smoothly-flowing story about his life between his divorce and trip with daughter Maggie (as described in Faithful Travelers) and the not-yet-occurring adventure in Europe with his son Jack (in The Road to Somewhere). This period of his life finds him rekindling his passion for golf and love while undergoing more trials and tribulations within his family... and not the somewhat-expected kind he dealt with in Final Rounds. What surprised me greatly about this book was the shoddy editing and/or proofreading I discovered. Three different golfer's names were mispelled, and on several occasions a double letter turned into a triple lettter (yes, just as I demonstrated). I suppose if I didn't expect books to be grammatically perfect it wouldn't be such a big deal, but come on... the guy shouldn't settle for such sub-par post-writing work on what is another great story. In fact, it's the lack of proofreading that keeps me from giving it the five stars this book probably deserves.
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