The marvellous mania : Alistair Cooke on golf

For over half a century, Alistair Cooke was the leading interpreter of America to the rest of the world.

In the course of millions of printed and broadcast words, he frequently brought his unique blend of curiosity, wit and perceptive analysis to bear on sporting events on both sides of the Atlantic.

Cooke had a lifelong fascination with sports - but of all the sports he witnessed and covered, his first love was always golf, about which nobody has written more brilliantly and more lovingly.

Here, gathered together for the first time, is a collection of Cooke's essays on his lasting passion.

Whether it is Arnold Palmer playing in 102-degree heat in San Antonio, dapper Gary Player winning the U.S.

Open at Creve Coeur, Missouri, or Jack Nicklaus playing (and winning) almost anywhere, Alistair Cooke on his favourite sport is a rare and constant pleasure.

Cooke's golf journalism shows all the mischievous charm and masterly narrative technique that made him one of the great reporters of the twentieth century.