Ben Hogan's "Secret": A Fictionalized Biography

A friend of mine received a copy of this book at a golf tournament and passed it along to me. Bob Thomas gives us a very real look at the life of Hogan that is both inspiring and emotional. For those few negative reivewers, this book is not meant to be a biography -- it is a literary portrait. If you are not inspired by the overall message of the book, then you are truly missing something. I was amazed at the presentation of Hogan's life in the way that makes my own seem not so bad. I'd recommend this work to any golf enthusiast looking for some motivation.

Author Bob Thomas has a real winner in Ben Hogan's Secret. This great fictionalized biography of Ben Hogan is more truth than fiction and portrays Hogan as the man he really was, a shy, caring individual who tried to avoid the limelight. Once I started reading this book I found it very difficult to put it down.

Leary of "fictional" accounts of historical figures and events (i.e. "The Titantic") I, in a sheer act of boredome read the first chapter on- line. I ordered the book instantly. As a member of the growing golfing public in awe of Hogan's mystique, I have read and studied everything about the man and his swing I could get my hands on. This refreshing account reminds me that sheer will, refusal to fail, and love for the life God has given us can drive us to achieve incredible goals. Historical? Who really knows! As an inspiration though, Thomas's presentation ranks with Hogan's one-iron, at Merion, in the 1950 Open!

Author Bob Thomas has written the first book about Ben Hogan that truly depicts "the man behind the mask". Stories abound about Hogan's coldness but nothing could be further from the truth. Naysayers should talk to the people who had direct contact with Hogan thru the various stages of his life as golfer, businessman, private citizen and devoted husband. They should read the numerous articles that were written following his death on July 28, 1997, especially "The Hogan I Knew" by Dan Jenkins, and other articles in the October 1997 issue of Golf Digest. Talk to members of Shady Oaks Country Club and citizens in the surrounding business community. Talk to Palmer, Nicklaus, Venturi, Kite, Harvey Ward and Byron Nelson. If you were able to do so, a picture of the real Ben Hogan would emerge and that man is the one depicted by Bob Thomas in Ben Hogan's secret.

Ben Hogan was an incredible golfer and a fine human being. There should be no debate as to who was the greatest golfer of all time. It is Ben Hogan, hands-down. As author Thomas so aptly quotes in his book, "Hogan's legs were simply not strong enough to carry his heart around." This book not only reveals Ben Hogan's "secret", but it shows what *really* made Hogan great ... and what it means to be a champion. An excellent, inspiring read