PLAYING THROUGH

The timing of this book’s release would lead many to assume that Earl Woods is cashing in on his son’s success—and they would be right. However, this is no mere exercise in literary exploitation. Woods’s new book (after Training a Tiger, not reviewed), with Chicago Tribune sportswriter Mitchell, asserts the power that self-reliance and positive thinking can have on one’s life. The book’s title refers to Earl’s sort-of mantra. He writes that playing through “is the ultimate manifestation of positive attitude; the belief that you can overcome, that you can keep going.” Using his experiences—of raising a prodigy, of dealing with racism, of going through the break-up of two marriages, of going to war—Woods shows how he has surmounted life’s obstacles and how he has passed these lessons along to Tiger. If the younger Woods’s success up to this point is any indication, Earl’s advice is sound indeed. Of course, this book wouldn’t be of much interest to Tiger fans if it didn’t contain stuff about him. So, Earl tells of Tiger’s carryings-on, both on and off the course, for instance, what it’s like to deal with stalkerazzi and party down with celebrities, ranging from the golfers Jack Nicklaus and Arnie Palmer to the duchess of York. And having gained our attention, Earl holds forth on a variety of topics, including what a jerk he thinks Aussie golf pro (and perpetual hard-luck story) Greg Norman is, and what he thought of golfer Fuzzy Zoeller’s racist remarks, made last spring after Tiger won the Masters. Earl even finds time to offer interesting theories about country clubs and white power, and young athletes’ endorsement contracts. All this comes across as a proud father’s gushing. (b&w photos, not seen) (Author tour; television satellite tour)