A review of all the best (and worst) books published for the 2006 Ryder Cup. The publishing industry was well lined up for the Ryder Cup with a slew of books being released throughout 2006 both before and after the event, many of them reprints from earlier years. Prior to September, the books tended to recount different specific Ryder Cups or were more wide ranging histories of the event, often with an Irish angle. The more interesting ones however really got into full swing after the event in September with many different books from players, caddies and journalists being rushed out in time to capture the lucrative Christmas market. Some of these books were sometimes little more than coffee table fluff pieces whilst others were more detailed and well researched. Outlined below are some of the good, the bad and the ugly.
The Cup: How the 2006 Ryder Cup Was Won
Philip Reid
Reid’s book is perhaps the best of the bunch in describing the event that was the Ryder Cup 2006. Those looking for all the facts and figures minutiae will not be disappointed here however it also has something more to add than merely a dry retelling of the event. Reid is a journalist with the Irish Times and as such has a wide background on all matters relating to golf in Ireland. This background adds greatly to the book by situating the event within the context of a very Irish setting in terms of place, time and people.
See it at Amazon UK
Heroes All: My 2006 Ryder Cup Story
Darren Clarke
The goodwill engendered by Darren Clarke for his stoicism and performance throughout the Ryder Cup was well deserved at every level. The decision to rush out this book was no doubt made partly on the back of that goodwill. Being honest, although pleasant and visually appealling, the book doesn’t add much to our knowledge of the man or the event he so positively made his own.
See it at Amazon UK
The “Times” Ryder Cup: A Complete Illustrated History of Every Ryder Cup (4 Sep 2006)
See it at Amazon UK
How We Won the Ryder Cup: The Caddies’ Stories
We haven’t seen or read this one however it appears to be an updated reprint of an earlier book which gained some good reviews upon it’s initial release. (Any details please forward).
See it at Amazon UK
Ireland and the Ryder Cup
Paul Kelly
See it at Amazon UK
Ryder Cup Ireland
Brian Cox
Released shortly before the commencement of the 2006 Ryder Cup event this book lies very much in the history category. The book exhaustively recounts the history of the event but differs from many similar tomes by looking closely at Ireland’s connections to the Cup including detailed profiles of the Irish Ryder Cup players who have added some much to the event throughout the years.
See it at Amazon UK
And finally, although unrelated to the Ryder Cup Andrew Greig’s book released this year, “Preferred Lies: A Journey to the Heart of Scottish Golf” is one of the golfing related books which has been winning plaudits through the reviews all year including a nomination for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2006. Although the basic premise of the book is a journey around the often lesser known courses of the Scottish highlands Greig’s skill as a writer widens the appeal to one which mirrors his own journey through life following a life threatening illness.
Preferred Lies: A Journey to the Heart of Scottish Golf
Andrew Greig
See it at Amazon UK
Please let us know if we have missed any that you think should warrant inclusion and/or if you have any views good or bad on any of the selection above.
Tags: golf-books, ryder-cup-books
Please note the reviews for “The Times Ryder Cup: A Complete Illustrated History of Every Ryder Cup” and “Ireland and the Ryder Cup” (Paul Kelly) mentioned above will be coming shortly.