The Grand Slam

Bobby Jones, America, and the Story of Golf

By: Mark Frost

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 19 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

In the wake of the stock-market crash and the dawn of the Great Depression, a ray of light emerged from the world of sports. In the summer of 1930, Bobby Jones, a 28-year-old amateur golfer, mounted a campaign against the record books. In four months, this natural, self-taught player conquered the British Amateur Championship, the British Open, the United States Open, and finally the United States Amateur Championship, an achievement so extraordinary that writers dubbed it the Grand Slam. No one has ever repeated it.

Yet, soon after the Grand Slam, Jones made the shocking announcement that he was retiring from the game. His abrupt disappearance from the public eye helped create the mythological image of this hero from the Golden Age of sports that endures to this day. Mark Frost uses a wealth of original research to provide an unprecedented intimate portrait of golf great Bobby Jones.

©2004 Good Comma Ink, Inc. (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A swift, surefooted account of Jones's remarkable life and career." (Publishers Weekly)
"Frost does a fine job of recounting the tenor of the times....Highly recommended for all sports collections." (Library Journal)

Wonderful Story of a Bobby Jones and the Early History of American Golf

This is a terrific book, especially for golf fans. It not only tells the life story of a truly great man, but provides excellent political, cultural and all-sports text for that story. The timeframe covers Jones’ entire life, but the focus is 1913 (Francis Ouimet’d stunning upset in the US Open) to the early 1930’s (Jones’ Grand Slam, followed by his founding of Augusta National GC and The Masters). A compelling and easy read, beautifully read by the incomparable Grover Gardner.

Amazing Book

This is a must read/listen for any golf fan. It is long but extremely entertaining. The reader is great

Amazing

One of the best books I’ve ever read! I had no idea everything that Bobby Jones went through. Well written and an amazing story!

A grand man.

For anyone who loves what golf IS, not just playing, this is a book unlike any other. Bobby Jones, through the somewhat sentimental eye of Mark Frost, is the kind of man you wish you knew; flawed in many ways, just like you, but greater in most ways than you'll ever be. Many biographies tell you a narrow story about the subject with only enough information about the person's surroundings to give context. Frost tells the story of America in the early 20th century and then places Bobby and his fellow golfers in the middle of that history. This is a long listen, but worth every minute. Grover Gardner does his usual outstanding job as reader and it never approaches boring. Great in every way.

Great Book!

Where does The Grand Slam rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my favorites. I am an avid golf enthusiast and loved learning more about one of the greats. It is well written and read, and kept me glued to listening.

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He was terrific and was the perfect reader for this book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, if I had the time too.

IF YOU LOVE GOLF THIS IS THE ONE BOOK

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Excellent detail of historic context surrounding Bobby's feats.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Grand Slam?

His interactions with the Scots. The St Andrew's moments.

Which scene was your favorite?

Bobby becomes honorary member of St Andrews town.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both.

Any additional comments?

Bobby was the greatest. Jack and Arnold second and third. Not only the golf, the class.

Really interesting

I really enjoyed learning about BJ, but it was almost equally interesting hearing play-by-play of old school golf matches and hearing about the times and BJ's contemporaries. Really solid.

Grover Gardner's voice is perfect for this book.

Grover Gardner's voice is perfect for this book. His pronunciations are spot on.

well researched book

A Must "Read" if You Care About Golf

Mark Frost makes the history of golf personal and incredibly interesting. His treatment of the life of Bobby Jones is essential to understanding the character and the development of the game, from its Scottish beginnings to its modern American version.
Grover Gardner gives passion and personality to every person in the book.

Fabulous telling BH of a great story

While as a golfer I knew much about Bobby Jones, learning more about his life, and his career, was fabulous experience. The writing is excellent as is the narration. Highly recommend