The Brothers Hogan: A Fort Worth History Hardcover – May 21, 2014

This is an inside family account from Ben Hogan’s niece, with a secondary emphasis on Ben’s older brother Royal, who supported Ben in many ways, and at many critical points in his life. Learning about Ben’s family will deepen your understanding of his development, both as a person and as a golfer.If you’re sufficiently familiar with (or have sufficient interest in) the city of Fort Worth, you will enjoy the many references to the Leonards (the subway!), the Moncriefs, Amon Carter, the country clubs, Joe T. Garcia’s, etc. I’m a native myself, so I soaked it all up.I always appreciate the inclusion of dogs in stories, and I have to wonder if Ben Hogan’s great love for Buster (the schnauzer) might have stemmed — at least partially — from the fact that both Ben and Buster survived automobile-related accidents. They both overcame significant injuries to their legs, and they both worked their way back to the golf course.I was interested in reading about Ben’s brother Royal because I worked at Hogan Office Supply for almost four years (from early 1984 until late 1987). In the photo of “part of the sales staff” (page 112, or Kindle location 1547), I’m standing right behind Mr. Hogan. (Kindling is not my real last name.)As Jacque makes clear, Mr. Hogan (Royal) could be a difficult man. But I never doubted that he was a good man at his core. And here’s a happy little memory: He once tried very hard to impress upon me the importance of always carrying several pieces of hard candy in my golf bag, even though I told him I didn’t play golf.I never knew about Mr. Hogan’s father-in-law falling to his death (which happened long before I started with the company), but I remember times when Howard Small would climb the tall stepladder to adjust the ceiling fans (or whatever), and Mr. Hogan would maintain a tight and careful grip on the ladder for as long as Howard was up there.

I think the book was enlightening on why Ben and his family were the way they were. Less about their father’s suicide and more about their mother’s personality traits and how that effected the two boys. Insight into Valerie Hogan as a controlling persona was also eye opening. Royal Hogan’s story is no less compelling than Ben’s. Each had their own demons. The reason I gave it a five. But any traumatic childhood event like the Hogan children went through would of effected each of them. Not something easily glossed over. Could of it been Hogan’s mother using this to motivate her children with her perfectionist ways? Or her sympathetic mothering? We will never know.

Wow, what a story. It is naturally a onesided description of the Hogans but nevertheless it's a dimension of a part of golf history that no one new anything about. I am glad the book was written. It does not end here I hope. Let's hang on to Ben Hogan's legacy. To get five stars you need to be a professional writer.

I’m very pleased to include this book with other important stories about Fort Worth. That it includes new information to me about Ben Hogan is a great plus.

Purchase for my Hogan golf nut. He said it was one of the best he read about Hogan.

A Fort Worth history not to be missed.

This is an amazing history of Fort Worth

A nice memoir of the Hogan family. Predictably, it had a stronger slant toward older brother Royal Hogan, but it's a perspective that is unique. A nice tribute to Ben Hogan from his niece. Certainly reflects the views of a family that endured plenty of hardship that formed a tough competitor and golfer.

Good stuff

I have read several accounts by Robert Towery and they are all good. This one gives a new perspective on the great man.Very little was written about Ben Hogan up until his death in 1997, and much that was written was not authorised and was in some cases incorrect. Subsequent to his demise, a lot of writers seemed to jump on the band wagon with all sorts of books with quotes and quips etc. which I felt demeaned Mr. Hogan. Not until "Ben Hogan - An American Life" by James Dodson did we actually see some true substance that I felt actually honoured his memory.Robert Towery, a relative by marriage to the Hogans, sets a few misconceptions straight in his very informative book. For instance the issue about Ben Hogan witnessing his father, (Chester), committing suicide. It was actually his brother Royal who saw it happen. This makes any Hogan devotee rethink what created the physique of Ben Hogan in a wholly different way.Fantastic piece of writing, my congratulations to the author.