He was a 1930s golf legend and Hollywood trickster who adamantly refused to be photographed. He never played professionally, yet sports-writing leg...
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reviews
Feb 18, 2011
Walter
rated it: 
This is a very enjoyable, page-turning read about an intriguing character, known variously as (The Mysterious) John Montague or LaVern Moore. Leigh Montville tells the tale well with an easy, flowing style that makes for quick and fun reading of a rather interesting story.
In an otherwise enjoyable experience, the most disappointing thing about the book is that its protagonist disappoints in the end. Essentially, for the vast majority of the story, Moore/Montague is an intriguing, f More...
In an otherwise enjoyable experience, the most disappointing thing about the book is that its protagonist disappoints in the end. Essentially, for the vast majority of the story, Moore/Montague is an intriguing, f More...
Jun 15, 2009
Julie
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SPOILER ALERT: Do not look at the pictures. One of them gives away the outcome of trial and deflates the story’s tension.
It wasn’t golf that attracted me to Leigh Montville’s biography of The Mysterious Montague. It was the True Tale of Hollywood…and Armed Robbery. I’m a sucker for Old Hollywood stories.
John Montague appeared on the Hollywood scene in 1934 and was soon dubbed “the greatest golfer in the world.” Better than any professional great of the day.
No one knows w More...
It wasn’t golf that attracted me to Leigh Montville’s biography of The Mysterious Montague. It was the True Tale of Hollywood…and Armed Robbery. I’m a sucker for Old Hollywood stories.
John Montague appeared on the Hollywood scene in 1934 and was soon dubbed “the greatest golfer in the world.” Better than any professional great of the day.
No one knows w More...
Jun 25, 2008
Dave
rated it:
LaVerne Moore was one of the more colorful figures in the world of golf in the 1930's and Leigh Montville tells his tale in all its boisterous glory in The Mysterious Montague, A True Tale of Hollywood, Golf, and Armed Robbery.
John Montague, as Moore was better known, was a trick shot artist who could chip a ball into a highball glass or under the sash of a partially-opened window across the room. He reputedly knocked a bird off a power line from 170 yards and consistently drove the More...
John Montague, as Moore was better known, was a trick shot artist who could chip a ball into a highball glass or under the sash of a partially-opened window across the room. He reputedly knocked a bird off a power line from 170 yards and consistently drove the More...
Jul 15, 2008
C.E.
rated it:
Fascinating tale of a guy who once might have been the greatest golfer that ever lived--the only problem was he was living under an assumed name, wanted in connection with an armed robbery in upstate NY. Montville lays out the tale in more-or-less chronological fashion, letting the incredible facts speak for themselves. Not only does he do a nice job of retelling the story, but also presents an interesting picture of the Hollywood country club set of the 1930s and the small town tourist and bo
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May 02, 2008
Paul
rated it: 
A pleasant diversionary book about a man who seems to have been a brief national phenomenon, about whom I knew nothing about.
I read an advance readers copy, so I was bereft of photographs, and they probably would have added more of a personal side to the story, but it was nonetheless fun to walk through the early life of this man, his criminal days, then hanging out with the Hollywood elite such as Bing Crosby and the sporting elite, such as Babe Ruth, and living with Oliver Hardy (of More...
I read an advance readers copy, so I was bereft of photographs, and they probably would have added more of a personal side to the story, but it was nonetheless fun to walk through the early life of this man, his criminal days, then hanging out with the Hollywood elite such as Bing Crosby and the sporting elite, such as Babe Ruth, and living with Oliver Hardy (of More...
May 12, 2010
Corny
rated it:
This could have been a great magazine piece. Unfortunately there is not enough meat for a full length book so the author has to stretch it out using all sorts of filler, extraneous material and repetition. The result makes for a very unevenly written story with some high points. The fungo, shovel and rake story is retold so many times, sometimes with different facts, that by the end I wish I had that shovel to break over the author's head!! Underneath all the excess verbiage is a real mystery th
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Mar 02, 2011
J.C.
rated it:
A pretty decent account of the life of a guy I had never heard of, there's a reason for that but I won't spoil anything. Could have been a lot better, more narrative and less reliance on other source material would have been nice but it wasn't critical and overall did nothing to add to or take away from the experience. If it had been longer (400-500 pgs) I would not have finished it. Mostly its a book about a semi-somebody turned nobody.
May 31, 2011
David
rated it:
This is the kind of book you expect from Leigh Montville, one of Sports Illustrated company of superb writers. It's a yarn full of twists and turns, and demonstrates, once again, that truth is stranger than fiction. The subtitle says it all, and it is a real page-turner; you don't have to be a golfer, or even a golf fan, to enjoy "Montague".
Aug 23, 2009
Really looking forward to this EHS. I love books/bios set in the "roaring 20s." I think I would have totally been into flapper girls. I also bought this book because the type is jumbo and I look to look like a fast reader. I got a big...eh eh eh...ego.
Nov 17, 2011
Ron
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An utterly remarkable piece of storytelling about an obscure figure who led an amazing life. It isn't just for sports fans or fans of true crime, but for anyone who appreciates the scope and tragic arc of a failed life.
Nov 28, 2009
Burt
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Worth reading about a time in history like no other. The stories of the celebrities were fun to read
Jul 24, 2011
Nate
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I read about this book in ESPN magazine and was interested. This is an amazing story of someone trying to change his life.
Jan 05, 2010
Kevin
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Fascinating book. Too bad he had a past, he could have been a contender!
Sep 30, 2008
Bbennis
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I started out thinking this was a biography of Jackie Gleason . . .but it's just someone who looks like Jackie Gleason. He's a pretty remarkable guy, but once you've heard a few stories the rest of the book is just more of the same.
Jul 08, 2008
Turi
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Nice combination of golf book, Hollywood heyday of the 1930s, and historical true crime a la Erik Larson's Devil in the White City. Interesting coverage of post-prohibition celebrity trial.
Dec 03, 2011
Dennis
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Interesting story of a depression-era robber turned friend to the stars, who was regarded as the best golfer of his day by those who were familiar with him but ended up as a sideshow.
Feb 23, 2009
Rachel
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This book was excellent! Im so glad I could finally read it. It is such a fascinating story, and I do not like sports novels. A good read for all.
Sep 11, 2008
Kurt
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Fantastic biography of a truly great American living a truly great American dream. Well maybe not the end, but close enough.
Jan 19, 2012
Jan 19, 2012
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Dec 22, 2011
