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Book News

Reviewer: 'A spoiled brat's midlife crisis in print'

'Chasing the Dream: A Mid-life Quest for Fame and Fortune on the Pro Golf Circuit'
by Harry Hurt III

Avon Books, $12

Review by Ron McGuire

(CNN) -- Let this be a lesson: if George Plimpton likes it, you probably won't. That's the feeling I have now that I've finished Harry Hurt's manifesto on professional golf. Plimpton calls the book 'A wonderful adventure splendidly told.' Uh, excuse me, but which book did he read?

This thin volume, 'Chasing the Dream,' amounts to not much more than a spoiled brat's midlife crisis in print. Mr. Hurt -- and if you don't know his name, there's a good reason -- may be a fine writer, but he definitely does not put his best foot forward in this effort.

In 'Chasing the dream,' Hurt tells the story of his rebellious desertion of his college golf team, then goes on to detail his experiences while attempting a comeback of sorts some two-plus decades later.

But it's hard to feel any sympathy for Hurt when you realize he left the freshman team at Harvard (full scholarship, thank you) over a lousy haircut. It is also difficult to empathize with Hurt's trials and tribulations during his comeback attempt -- unless of course you're an over-the-hill whiner with a country club background.

But I have to admit; Hurt's book is funny. His tales of post-round drinking with his extensive network of golf buddies and PGA wannabes is enlightening, to say the least. Ladies, if your husband spends a lot of time playing golf, you should read this book. You'll probably learn more about him than you want to know.

Does Harry Hurt III make it back into the golfing elite? Does he catch his dream of being a pro on the PGA tour? Like I said, if you don't know his name, there's probably a good reason.

Ron McGuire is an online coordinator with CNN Interactive. He has worked as an entertainment writer and in radio.

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