Aug 5, 2011

Book Review: The Swinger

During my two week Summer vacation I got to read a book about the world’s most celebrated athlete and most dominant golfer of all time plus he’s the richest sports figure in history. The real meat and potatoes of the book, this guy has a voracious sexual appetite and it isn’t quenched by his hot wife. I know what your thinking, I didn’t realize there was a new book about Tiger Woods. No sorry wrong this book is fiction and is called “The Swinger” and is about Herbert X. Treemont, you can just call him Tree.

Book Review: “The Swinger”


























When your reading the book it’s hard not to see similarities. Tree lives in St. Petersburg, Fla., whereas Tiger Woods lives near Orlando. Tree has ankle surgery, Tiger knee surgery. Tree’s wife Belinda is from Italy, Tiger’s ex, Elin Nordegren born in Sweden. Tree’s wife beats him up with a 5 iron, Elin we’re not sure if she got a swing in, maybe. Tree’s golf nemesis Will Martinson really sounds like Phil Mickelson. It’s impossible to not think of Tiger Woods and what he’s been through the last few years when you read this book. You be the judge.

I really like the what the authors (Michael Bamberger ("This Golfing Life") and Alan Shipnuck ("Bud, Sweat and Tees") have done they’ve made a great fun paging turning book which is perfect for the Summer. It’s got some great laughs, the tryst in the wine cellar of Augusta by Tiger I mean Tree is classic as well the mention of Mentos used during oral sex is perfect for a book that sheds real insight into the life of the professional golfer.

What I enjoyed most about The Swinger was the narrative perspective of the newspaperman turned PR guy, Josh Dutra. He’s a well written intriguing character which you have to figure from two sport writers. I also really enjoyed the many insights into life both on tour and off the course and the way in which the book helps us see some sort of possible comeback for Tiger. Will it happen not really sure but it sure will be interesting watching and reading

One final thing I also like the fact that the book leaves you guessing: are some of Treemont's shenanigans based on actual events that the authors may have learned about "off the record." I’m just saying!

From Simon and Schuster Press Release: 

THE SWINGER is a fast, funny, and gleefully outrageous novel that illuminates the life of the world-class, life-by-the-balls athlete. It is also a meditation on love, sex, marriage, friendship, celebrity, and the media. It is written with a smile, not with disdain for athletes like Tree, but with empathy and affection and hope that Tree’s transformation, redemption, and return to greatness may be just around the corner.

About the Book:
THE SWINGER
by Michael Bamberger and Alan Shipnuck
Published by Simon & Schuster/ Sports Illustrated
Publication Date: July 12th, 2011
Price: $25.00
ISBN-13: 978-1-4516-5755-5
eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-4516-5757-9


2 comments:

Mark said...

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