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Tiger: The Real Story
Born to a father who described him as the “chosen one” and a mother who called him the “universal child,” Tiger Woods was groomed for the fame and influence that his parents believed was his destiny. At age twenty, he made his debut in a Nike commercial. “Hello, world,” he said. “Are you ready for me?” The world was ready.
For the next thirteen years, Tiger nearly lived up to his parents’ outsized expectations. He conquered the world of golf, settled down with a beautiful Swedish model, and started a family. His net worth approached one billion dollars. Everything was going according to plan—until the scandal hit.
Steve Helling has long covered Tiger Woods’s career, and here he draws on intimate sources— many speaking out for the first time—to create a never-before-seen portrait of the golfer.
For the next thirteen years, Tiger nearly lived up to his parents’ outsized expectations. He conquered the world of golf, settled down with a beautiful Swedish model, and started a family. His net worth approached one billion dollars. Everything was going according to plan—until the scandal hit.
Steve Helling has long covered Tiger Woods’s career, and here he draws on intimate sources— many speaking out for the first time—to create a never-before-seen portrait of the golfer.
242 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 15, 2022
I picked up this audio thanks to the Pop Sugar 2022 Challenge; prompt asked for #ABookWithTigerInTheTitle - and I’ll admit I was quite riveted. Beginning with his infamous “accident” on Thanksgiving weekend 2009 and then tracing his rise to golf super stardom, I found this book contained the right amount of scandal and fact. I enjoyed learning about both Tiger’s upbringing and that of his father Earl, who was a definite if not controversial role model for Tiger. The book ends with Tiger’s very public apology in 2010 leaving more than a dozen years since then. I don’t follow golf, or really know more of Tiger’s tale (😉) so I’m curious to learn/read more. This was short but compelling.
April 25, 2019
Well researched and thorough story about Tiger's (and Earl's) life from childhood through the public apology in Feb 2010. Author puts a pretty positive spin on everything, and I'm not sure how much of the content is new ground, but given my lack of knowledge of Tiger, I thought it was a good read.
July 26, 2017
There's not much new that we don't already know. Yet, I found parts of Helling's book captivating.
April 6, 2020
A look at Tigers upbringing, relationships with his family, golf, and a look into his recent troubles. C
August 8, 2022
I listened to this to fulfill a popsugar challenge. I really didn’t have an interest in his story. It was okay.
June 20, 2023
It was OK. Way too much focus on Tiger's love interests, and a lack of a psychological look at why he is the way he is. The way it talked about his dating life bordered on creepy.
May 2, 2024
Really good memoir. Not much else to say. Would definitely recommend.
June 3, 2015
An amazing book which I took interest in reading from cover to cover. The book talks about a kid well known as Tiger Woods who takes passion in golf at a very young age and with the help of his dad, uses his talent in the sport to lure money,fame, fortune, and women. Tiger's name which appears globally to be synonymous with golf helps bring in millions of dollars for him and his family from signed contracts and several endorsements with GIllete, EA sports and Nike to name a few.
Unfortunately, his inability to refrain from sexual affairs with several women results with his precious name being tarnished.
Tiger woods father, Earl, sadly passes away after battling with cancer and other illnesses.
Sad book but a great book to read. I am not a fan of golf but this book has been a pleasure to read.
Thank you author Steve Helling for writing this book.
Unfortunately, his inability to refrain from sexual affairs with several women results with his precious name being tarnished.
Tiger woods father, Earl, sadly passes away after battling with cancer and other illnesses.
Sad book but a great book to read. I am not a fan of golf but this book has been a pleasure to read.
Thank you author Steve Helling for writing this book.
November 11, 2010
this book was interesting - the "real" story of Tiger and the events revealed after his 2009 fall from grace. Author did do his homework - including excerpts from the 911 calls, media clips, etc. I enjoyed parts and was annoyed at others. Maybe it was because it was in audio book form, but the author seemed to jump around a lot in the overall time line of events (sometimes talking about current events and the next paragraph going back to events before he was even married.) Interesting insights into Tiger, Earl, and their interactions with golf and the media.
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January 21, 2011Opened my eyes about Tiger.. I had heard some of this stuff before from the news/National Enquirer.. What a jerk... Good golfer yes, a person who I would want my children to look up to and respect, no... Hopefully he can do what he said he was going to do, make amends with his family and move on. Only time will tell.. But its a classic example of like father, like son.. If his role model was doing it, that is all he knows...
May 28, 2011
Despite a promising beginning,this book felt flat. The author did his homework and included some interesting tidbits about the car "accident" but the rest of the book left me wanting. Like most women,I was curious about why a man who seemed to have it all, appeared to be never satisfied. I am still curious. A good read if you like golf and want a little extra information on Tiger. Not so good, if you aren't a fan of golf and just have an inquiring mind about what makes Tiger tick.
July 17, 2010
This was a reasonable book that explained the upbringing and pre-scandal lifestyle of Tiger Woods. This man was raised to be a competitor and accomplish what he set out to do, regardless of the means utilized. I do not condone the behavior of Tiger Woods, but this book provides some understanding into why it might have occurred.
July 19, 2010
The title doesn't really come through and I was naive to think it would. The writer explains how, in his history of covering Tiger, writers who don't speak highly of Tiger are left out in the cold. While I did learn some things of Tiger's life, this read to me more like a press release, approved by Tiger. I think I'd much rather hear Elin's story, from her point of view.
March 31, 2011
I hate to give negative reviews. I mean, really hate. It's just that this book doesn't live up to expectations. I agree with the other reviews that too much ink is wasted on the transcript of Tiger's public apology.
I learned very little that I didn't already know from reading, quite frankly, better books. If I had known much less about the man, I would have enjoyed the book more.
I learned very little that I didn't already know from reading, quite frankly, better books. If I had known much less about the man, I would have enjoyed the book more.
August 3, 2011
Inside look at Tiger Woods and his dad and mother, both as a boy and as a pro golfer. Much of the book deals with the shaping of tiger's personality as he grows to become a golf superstar under his dad's relentless, overbearing pursuit of perfection. A sad and disturbing picture of a great athlete who had everything and yet self-destructed.
May 25, 2012
There's not much here that the casual golf fan doesn't already know. Yet, I found parts of Tiger: The Real Story very captivating. The book is fairly tame, and I question how much of it is the "real story". Nevertheless, it's light summer reading that makes me want to dust off the clubs and play.
July 17, 2013
This book was a perfect window into the life of Tiger Woods. I always had questions about him as an individual, and the book helped to answer many lingering questions. Helling's maintained my interest throughout the entire book. I recommend this short read to anyone who has had a slight interest in Tiger Woods
January 1, 2015
The story of what it takes to be an expert in any field, no matter what limits society puts on you, is always an inspiration to go on. It gave me an insight into how much my support can mean to another person. I am not a golf fan, but the listing of his accomplishments and how they effected the financial future of not just himself but so many other people was eye opening.
April 12, 2016
An interesting read. My perception about Tiger Woods was shaped by the ads of Accenture . This book gives an inside view of the life of one of the greatest players in Golf. I was disappointed a bit because there was nothing noteworthy in the book about the rigorous training and discipline which shaped his career. However, the book is easy to read with limited takeaways.
June 24, 2010
Absolutely one of the biggest wastes of time I have ever had reading a book. Virtually nothing in it was revealing in any way. Plenty of other books written about Tiger have covered the exact same ground, and there was nearly no new material at all. Wish I'd not have spent the time.
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April 28, 2017Poorly edited. Background information very stock and common. The last 1/5 of the book was where it got interesting talking about the news at the end of the scandal. But by and large, this book feels like it was rushed to publish to strike while the iron was hot.
January 28, 2013
well written golf lore...albeit a bit leaning to hearsay, it does try to keep the dignity of this champion in one piece. Most interestingly, Earle Woods has a most interesting story behind the story of Tiger.
July 16, 2014
This book had been translated into Finnish language ("Tiger Woods: Ihminen legendan takana").
The translation was not too good and I found out that there has been three persons translating this one little book.
The translation was not too good and I found out that there has been three persons translating this one little book.
July 18, 2010
A must read for everyone, even if you aren't a fan of golf.
July 15, 2011
More about tigers relationship w media then a bio
January 28, 2013
interesting
February 10, 2013
Good read, good writer, no surprises, but insights; sad story--modern (Greek) tragedy!
September 25, 2015
The book is nothing but collection of sensational journalism. No depth at all. Totally avoidable.
February 25, 2018
The book is a good read about the rise and fall of tiger wood and I am happy to have read it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews