• Miracle at Merion

  • The Inspiring Story of Ben Hogan's Amazing Comeback and Victory at the 1950 U.S. Open
  • By: David Barrett
  • Narrated by: Richard Allen
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (85 ratings)

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Miracle at Merion

By: David Barrett
Narrated by: Richard Allen
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Editorial reviews

Ben Hogan was one of the world's most accomplished golfers when, in 1949, a head-on collision with a bus left him with career-threatening injuries. David Barrett recounts Hogan's remarkable triumph at the 1950 U.S. Open, one of the great comebacks in sports history. Richard Allen performs with an articulate elegance, lending the proceedings an appropriately august air, making listeners comprehend the gravity of Hogan's accomplishment. Miracle at Merion is a remarkable account of an ascendant star's tragic fall and his improbable, inspiring rise back to the top.

Publisher's summary

Legendary sportswriter Red Smith characterized Ben Hogan’s comeback from a near-fatal automobile crash in February 1949 as “the most remarkable feat in the history of sports.” Now, more than 60 years later, that statement still rings true. The crowning moment of Hogan’s comeback was his astonishing victory in the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club near Philadelphia, where his battered legs could barely carry him on the 36-hole final day. Miracle at Merion -the recipient of the USGA’s 2010 Herbert Warren Wind Award for the best golf book of the year - tells the stirring story of Hogan’s valiant triumph over adversity.

©2010 David Barrett (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A must-read for anyone who cares about golf.” ( Booklist)

What listeners say about Miracle at Merion

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great stories but Narrator mispronounces names

What did you love best about Miracle at Merion?

I learned a lot of facts I didn't know about golf. Period when OB was not stroke and distance. I read a lot of Golf books and found out info on Hogan, Demaret, Burke, Snead I did not know before. Must read if you like Golf history.

Would you be willing to try another one of Richard Allen’s performances?

Richard Allen mispronounced Medinah, Inverness and Henry Picard's last name. Where was the "proof reader"? Need to know something about your subject and know names before you narrate.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

More than just Hogan and Merion and that is a good thing.

Any additional comments?

Well researched and an easy listen.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Uninspired writing and poor narration

Any additional comments?

Though reasonably well researched, this book came across like encyclopedia prose, lacking the colorfulness and emotionality of the subject matter. The narrator mispronounced so many names and places I began looking out for the next one. Both the book and the narration were uninspired. I love all things Ben Hogan and could hardly endure this book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book. Bad Narration

I love the book. The narration is really bad. He mispronounces words/names and uses an obvious fake accent. Really hard to listen to him.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The amazing story of Ben Hogan

This is a wonderful read about the history of Hogan and the history of the tour and the amazing trailblazers of the greatest game!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great historical sports book

Narrator could be better. The history and background about other players is great. Will teach u a lot about the early great players . For a golfer it’s good and relaxing and insightful

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Above Par Writing ... Subpar Narration

One needs to know what he or she wants before listening to this book. If you appreciate golf history and personalities, you're going to learn a lot. If you only want to learn about Ben Hogan, you'll be put off by all of the side stories. Sadly, the narration will be frustrating. I personally feel that golf books need a voice that is as smooth as the game itself.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Do some research

Narrator mispronounced a few players and kept calling Medinah - Maddena. Irritating but story was great but narrator was off-putting.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, miserable narrator

This is an absolute must read for any golf fan. Hogan is an incredible figure. However, by the book and read it because the gentleman who narrates this is terrible. He mispronounces multiple names, places, and words. his cadence and inflection hamper the drama and his obvious lack of knowledge of golf detract from one of the greatest sports stories of the 20th century.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • BP
  • 08-25-19

Not enough Hogan, too much filler

I guess there wasn't much hogan material for just the US Open at Merion so he filled it with multiple years of seasons and many other golfers histories and tournaments to make a full book. If you read/listen to 1st part of chapter on Hogan and skip to next chapter that should let you get through the boring coverage f ither people with no direct relationship to Hogan or Merion

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

interesting listen but leaves a lot to be desired

I enjoyed the background on fellow competitors. but as to Hogan himself feel way short. best book on Hogan is the biography by James Dodson. audible should carry his books. narrator mispronounced a number of name. was very distracting.

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