Arnie and Jack - by Ian O'Connor (Paperback)

About the Book

O'Connor explores the heated professional and personal battle between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus in fascinating, intimate, and revelatory detail. Drawing on unique access to both players, O'Connor illuminates the golf greats' extreme differences and sprawling influences.

Book Synopsis

A Sports Illustrated Top Ten Book of the Year and New York Times bestseller from ESPN.com's Ian O'Connor, Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry is a revelatory look at the relationship between two legendary champions.

Surprisingly, one of sport's most contentious, complex, and defining clashes played out not in the boxing ring or at the line of scrimmage but on the genteel green fairways of the world's finest golf courses. Arnie and Jack. Palmer and Nicklaus. Their fifty-year duel, in both the clubhouse and the boardroom, propelled each to the status of American icon and pushed modern golf into mainstream popularity.

Arnie was the cowboy, with rugged good looks, Popeye-like forearms, a flailing swing, and charm enough to win fans worldwide. Jack was scientific, precise, conservative, aloof, even fat and awkward. Ultimately, Nicklaus got the better of Palmer on the course, beating him in major victories 18-7. But Palmer bested Nicklaus almost everywhere else, especially in the hearts of the public and in endorsement dollars. By the end of this page-turning narrative, we see that each man wanted what the other had: Arnold wanted the trophies. Jack wanted the love.

In the tradition of John Feinstein and Mark Frost, Ian O'Connor has written a compelling account of one of the greatest rivalries in sports history.

Review Quotes

Thrillingly dramatic depictions... Comprehensive interviews humanize the two legends while contextualizing their roles in the game's history... Exemplary.
Kirkus Reviews

"Finely written, intricately researched and smartly reported." -- YahooSports.com

"Superb...Arresting." New York Post

"You can't go wrong writing or reading about those two guys, and O'Connor certainly got it right." Newsday

"Fascinating . . . A nice mix of golf history and interpersonal dynamics." Booklist, ALA

"A considerable amount of original research... Recommended." Library Journal

"Refreshing and captivating." Tampa Tribune

"O'Connor's chronicle...gives readers a picture-perfect view of how they made the sport what it is today." -- John Feinstein

"...THE definitive book on [Arnie and Jack's] often complicated but honorable relationship." -- Gene Wojciechowski

"O'Connor explains the most complicated of human relationships in the simplest of terms...the fascinating journey...should not be missed." -- Bill Plaschke

"A classic work...the most riveting personal moments...[it] is the best thing I've read in a long while." -- Edwin Pope

"O'Connor, reporting in rich detail ... while lifting golf to the big leagues of American sports." -- Dave Kindred

". . . an exceptional read." USA Today

"O'Connor's book is great because it reminds you how much fun and how ferocious golf used to be." Kansas City Star --