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| The Greatest Game Ever Played: A True Story | 
 enlarge | Author: Mark Frost
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy New: $5.49
You Save: $10.46 (66%)
New (12) Used (14) from $4.57
Avg. Customer Rating:  71 reviews
Sales Rank: 15728
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 496
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5 x 1.4
ASIN: B000FDFVYW
Publication Date: September 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Also Available In:
| • | Hardcover - THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED: HARRY VARDON, FRANCIS OUIMET AND THE BIRTH OF MODERN GOLF | | • | Paperback - The Greatest Game Ever Played | | • | Hardcover - The Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf | | • | Paperback - Greatest Game Ever Played, The: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf | | • | Hardcover - The Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf | | • | Kindle Edition - Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf | | • | Paperback - The Greatest Game Ever Played: Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf | | • | Paperback - The Greatest Game Ever Played: A True Story |
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Product Description
Announcing the official movie tie-in edition of Mark Frosts award-winning The Greatest Game Ever Played. The riveting tale of one of golfs most defining moments comes to life onscreen in April 2005 from Walt Disney Picturesand is sure to spark renewed interest in Mark Frosts sensational book of the same name. In 1913, golfs first superstar went up against a green twenty-year-old amateur. It was the birth of modern golf. Harry Vardon and Francis Ouimet came from different worlds and different generations, but their passion for golf set them on parallel paths that would collide in the most spectacular match the sport has ever known. Vardon had escaped a life of poverty in Britain to achieve universal recognition as the greatest champion in the games history. Ouimet, a virtual unknown from Massachusetts, was only three years removed from his youthful career as a lowly caddie and worshiped Vardon. When these unlikely opponents finally came together in their legendary battle at the 1913 U.S. Open, the worlds reaction to its remarkable drama and heart-stopping climax gave rise to the sport of golf as we know it today. Weaving together the stories of Vardon and Ouimet to create his narrative, Mark Frost has crafted a uniquely involving, intimate epic: equal parts sports biography, sweeping social history, and emotional human drama. The movie The Greatest Game Ever Played is directed by Bill Paxton and stars Shia LaBeouf (I, Robot), Stephen Dillane (King Arthur, The Hours), Peter Firth (Pearl Harbor), Elias Koteas, and Peyton List. It will be released in April 2005 from Walt Disney Pictures. The Greatest Game Ever Played has sold over 100,000 copies in hardcover and paperback.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 66 more reviews...
 Good 1st Effort -- Style Later Perfected in "The Match" July 25, 2008
This I believe was Frost's 1st golf history book and previously all his other work had been fiction. Which explains the fictional feel of this book. Frost cites conversation and internal thoughts from the characters to an exent that he can't possibly know if that's what happened. In addition to compromising accuracy, it also makes for a book that's about 2x as long as it needs to be. I found myself often scanning large sections rather than reading every word.
Even with that flaw he still produced a must-read golf history book, that many non-golfers will also enjoy. He excels at putting things in historical and social context, and building fiction-like edge of your seat tension. He's also a master at researching the lives of the main characters, from their beginnings to their endings in the must-read "Afterward" section.
In this case the main characters are British legendary professional golfers Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, US amateur golfer Francis Quimet and his young caddie Eddie Lowery. Although Mr. Quimet's story is reasonably well known in golf circles, Eddie's isn't. And in some ways Eddie is actually the most interesting character, if not the most important. The story goes that young Eddie escaped the grade school truant officer every day so he could caddie for Quimet. And it was Eddie's inspiration, tenacity and timely advice that pushed the young unaccomplished amateur Quimet to an historic conquest over then golfing titans Vardon and Ray.
In Frost's 3rd golf book "The Match" released last year, Eddie would again enter the picture. Now a middle aged successful businessman, he sets up a historic match between the 2 best amateurs of the day (Ken Venturi and Harvey Ward) and the 2 best Pros (Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson). At stake is a presumed $10,000 personal bet (if not more) but even more importantly a seminal event in the future direction of American golf: would the essence of the game remain in the hands of high-minded amateurs who played for pride and honor, or pros who at the time carried the stigma that playing for money compromised their golfing integrity?
In this 2nd effort, Frost clearly refines his style by eliminating much of the characters' internal and external "filler" dialogue, and the result is a book with better momentum and few if any question marks on accuracy. Not coincidentally, "The Match" is about 1/2 the page count of "Greastest Game."
In any case, both of these books are clearly "can't miss" and go together like Godfather's I & II.
If you liked this book, you MUST read this interview July 24, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I found this incredible interview regarding how the game of Golf has changed over the years. You wouldn't believe the evolution! If you have any interest in the history of Golf, this is a must read. If you want to become even more knowledgeable on the subject, scroll to the bottom of the interview and get in touch with the author. After reading, I guarantee you will be able to lead the most interesting discussions and impress your friends!
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/interviewroden.html
Not Just a Great Game! May 17, 2008
I loved the movie so I thought I'd try the book. I was not disappointed. In fact, I believe a second movie based on this book, focussing on the early career and post "Greatest Game" highlights of Harry Vardon, would produce an excellent movie, as well.
My older brother recently retired. My gifts to him were a Caribbean Cruise and a copy of this book to read as he suns on the deck of the cruise ship. When presented with both (gifts), he noted that he too had seen the movie and seemed just as excited to have received a copy of the book, as he was the cruise.
Great read even for a non-golfer! March 22, 2008
This is a terrific book and I'm not even a golfer. I didn't care much for the movie; a buddy of mine recommended reading the book and WOW, it's so much better. I'm not sure who wrote the movie but Frost does a great job of telling the story and holding on to your interest. I loved the biographical background and personality insights he offers. He's a terrific writer.
Wonderful account of the times. February 11, 2008
Great detail is setting the stage of how society viewed golf and its champions and how this tournament took that to the next level in popularity. Gives great detail intothe lives of Vardon, Ray, Francis and even Walter Hagen at the beginning of his career. Great for anyone who loves the history of golf and a good old fashion underdog story.
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