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Ben Hogan: An American Life

by James Dodson

4.11 · rating details · 38 ratings · 8 reviews

Authorized, intimate, and definitive, Ben Hogan: A Life is the long-awaited biography of one of golf’s greatest, most enigmatic legends, narrated with the unique eloquence that has made author James Dodson a critically acclaimed national bestseller.

One man is often credited with shaping the landscape of modern golf. Ben Hogan was a short, trim, impeccably dressed Texan w...moreAuthorized, intimate, and definitive, Ben Hogan: A Life is the long-awaited biography of one of golf’s greatest, most enigmatic legends, narrated with the unique eloquence that has made author James Dodson a critically acclaimed national bestseller.

One man is often credited with shaping the landscape of modern golf. Ben Hogan was a short, trim, impeccably dressed Texan whose fierce work ethic, legendary steel nerves, and astonishing triumph over personal disaster earned him not only an army of adoring fans, but one of the finest careers in the history of the sport. Hogan captured a record-tying four U.S. Opens, won five of six major tournaments in a single season, and inspired future generations of professional golfers from Palmer to Norman to Woods.

Yet for all his brilliance, Ben Hogan was an enigma. He was an American hero whose personal life, inner motivation, and famed “secret” were the source of great public mystery. As Hogan grew into a giant on the pro tour, the combination of his cool outward demeanor and invincible, laser-guided accuracy on the golf course froze formidable opponents in their tracks. In 1949, at the peak of his career, Hogan’s mystique was reinforced by a catastrophic automobile accident in which he and his wife, Valerie, were nearly killed after being hit head-on by a Greyhound bus. Doctors predicted Hogan might never walk again – let alone set foot on another golf course. But his miraculous three-year recovery and comeback led to one of the greatest performances in golf history when in 1953 he won the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open (something that’s never been repeated).

In this first-ever family-authorized biography, renowned author James Dodson expertly and emotionally reconstructs Hogan’s complicated life. He discovers an intensely honest man handicapped by self-doubt, buoyed by the determination to prove his own abilities, and unable to escape a long-buried childhood tragedy – the core of the Hogan “secret.” Dodson also reveals both the legendary devotion and eventual strain in Hogan’s sixty-two-year marriage, and a Hogan rarely seen by the public: a warm, jovial man whose charitable spirit and sharp business sense enabled him to build the powerful golf equipment company bearing his name to this day. Ben Hogan: A Life is the authoritative inside portrait golf fans have long awaited.(less)

Paperback, 544 pages

Published May 3rd 2005 by Broadway (first published 2004)

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Sep 01, 2009

Mahlon rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Golf fans, fans of great Biography

Recommended to Mahlon by: Amazon

James Dobson's An American Life is the definitive Biography of Ben Hogan, who won 9 Majors in his career and dominated the sport in his era. Hogan was one of the most beloved sports figures of his day, but was notoriously shy off the course, preferring the company of a few close friends to the prying eyes of an adoring public, because of this he was unfairly saddled with the nickname "The Wee Ice Man" Dobson has managed to penetrate the curtain of silence that has always surrounded Hog...more

· see review

Dec 13, 2007

J.C. rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: cinderella boys

Shelves: non-fiction, best-non-fiction, sports

fantastic. I didn't know much about the man except that he came was a great player who was victim of a car accident but returned to continue his remarkable career, this was the story that I heard, it didn't seem like much.

Early in his career many thought he would never win a tournament. having two separate tries at making it as a tour player, he failed miserably and limped home broke. on what was his "final" attempt, he finally learned to win and that led to a few more t...morefantastic. I didn't know much about the man except that he came was a great player who was victim of a car accident but returned to continue his remarkable career, this was the story that I heard, it didn't seem like much.

Early in his career many thought he would never win a tournament. having two separate tries at making it as a tour player, he failed miserably and limped home broke. on what was his "final" attempt, he finally learned to win and that led to a few more tournament wins. He had finally become a professional golfer.

His major goal in life was to win a major golf championship. Yet, like his first tour experiences - learning to compete and win on a regular basis- he would need to learn how to win a major championship as well. After a few miscues, he finally learned to win the big one with a win at the 50th U.S. Open (then called The National Open).

shortly after that win, he was in his car accident....

Which is to say that he and his wife Valerie were in a head on collision, not with another automobile, but a ten ton Greyhound bus that was trying to pass a truck on a two lane Texas highway. By throwing himself across the Cadillac toward his wife seated in the passenger seat, attempting to protect her, he probably saved his own as well as hers. He would suffer massive damage (I'm no doctor and too lazy to go look it up) to his legs, a broken shoulder and damage to his eye. If he hadn't thrown himself across the car, his steering wheel would have shot into his chest, most likely killing him.

But Hogan would survive, even after suffering a Pulmonary Embelis and undergoing a radical new surgery that saved his life but kept him in the hospital for several months recovering. Not only did he survive, he defied all the odds by not only walking again, but also coming back to the game he loved and performing better than ever before. He won more majors after his accident than most great golfers did in their lifetimes and always playing in pain in his legs, and limited visibility in his left eye (very important when engaged in the short game).

Ben Hogan's story is pure Horatio Alger stuff. The "wee ice mon" (as the Scots called him at Carnoustie, his only trip across the pond for the only British Open he would ever play in, I won't tell you the outcome) was and still is the best player in the game (yes Tiger, the best) and is also probably a very misunderstood man. This book, researched thoroughly, is a even handed tribute to the golfer as well as the man who was often criticized for being cold hearted, stand offish and short with people who asked silly questions. Reading about Hogan reminds me of Muhammad Ali. Both were men who conquered their respected fields, had adversity remove them from that field, then come back better and stronger than anyone would ever have guessed while the entire time being completely misunderstood by their peers and the press.

Golf is a game that lacks something in the general public view. Sometimes not considered a sport, other times for being an elitist sport, golfers not being considered athletic, whatever it is, some are just wary about reading a book about a golfers life. Well this book is about a golfer, true, but it is also about a man. A man with an uncompromising work ethic and a goal to win in his field and his life. It should be read by everyone who loves a reading about a good life, one that overcomes the odds, and then overcomes them again.(less)

· see review

Feb 27, 2009

Brian123 rated it

Loved this book, if your a fan of golf history or sports in my opinion it has to include obtaining knowledge and understanding of the importance of Ben Hogan. This is the book!!

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Sep 09, 2009

Murray Sullivan rated it

If you love golf you will love this story. An amazing life centered on excellent golf.

· see review

Jan 26, 2011

Mark rated it

dude should have died in car wreck instead he became a legend

· see review

Jan 13, 2011

Randy rated it

This biography is a fascinating story of a man who had to overcome so many obstacles to achieve greatness, and is an inspiring reminder that greatness usually doesn’t come easily.

Mr. Dodson comes as close as possible to accurately portraying a very complex man, a man who will always be an enigma to many. My only criticism of this book is its length. I wonder if so many details are necessary. I guess to some readers they are. To me, however, it slowed the book down.

If I c...more

· see review

Feb 28, 2008

Kirk rated it

Recommends it for: Any one that loves golf

Recommended to Kirk by: Mike gave it to me for Xmas

Great book, even for those of you that don't appreciate the game (and if you don't, what good are you?) Anyway, good read. Hogan was, in many ways, a combination of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

· see review

Nov 12, 2008

Shannon rated it

If you have a passion for golf, this is the book for you. I just haven't acquired a knack for the sport quite yet. Pretty inspiring read though.

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About James Dodson

James Dodson is the author of seven books, including Final Rounds and Ben Hogan: An American Life. He lives with his family in Southern Pines, North Carolina."

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Books by James Dodson

Final Rounds: A Father, A Son, The Golf Journey Of A Lifetime

A Son of the Game: A Story of Golf, Going Home, and Sharing Life's Lessons

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