For more information:
Frank R. Scatoni
619-807-1887
frank at ventureliterary.com

"No Kill Date"

Venture Literary Sells Dramatic Narrative of Johnny Miller’s 1973 U.S. Open Victory to NAL/Penguin

On July 15, 2008, Frank R. Scatoni of Venture Literary sold the World English rights to Chasing Greatness: Johnny Miller, Arnold Palmer, and the Unforgettable 1973 U.S. Open to Brent Howard at NAL, a division of Penguin.

Chasing Greatness re-creates the compelling story of one of the most memorable moments in modern golf history—when Johnny Miller captured the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont by shooting a shocking final round of 63 to just barely win the title. But beyond that remarkable effort were the personal stories of the men who made the drama possible. In a remarkable twist, the top six finishers at that U.S. Open were all at pivotal moments in their careers: each man, on his own terms, were chasing greatness.

In addition to Miller and Palmer, the ensemble cast includes the greatest of them all, Jack Nicklaus, enjoying what was arguably his best season; moody Tom Weiskopf who, with the voice of his recently deceased father ringing in his ears, was finally playing up to expectation; loveable Lee Trevino, whose facade as the “Merry Mex” was coming undone in the face of relentless fan worship and the obsessive pursuit of wealth; and the journeyman John Schlee—the last man standing with a chance to tie Miller—at the pinnacle of his unremarkable career, yet dogged by psychological demons that darkened his every plea for grace.

Chasing Greatness also brings to life the larger story of American golf in the 1960s and ’70s, the most competitive era in the history of the professional game. Yet Chasing Greatness is more than just a sports book; it is a narrative of the times. By placing the drama of Miller’s triumph in social context, Chasing Greatness tells a larger story of how great sports moments provide a psychic balm for hard times—in this case, the painful death knell of the crumbling Nixon administration.

Authors Steve Schlossman and Adam Lazarus bring complementary strengths to re-creating the exciting story of the 1973 U.S. Open in all its richness. Schlossman, a widely published historian of American social and cultural history at Carnegie Mellon University, teaches the first course on the history of golf ever offered at a major university. Past guest lecturers in his course have included David Fay, Executive Director of the USGA; Carol Semple Thompson, captain of the 2008 Curtis Cup team and former U.S. and British Amateur champion; and Bob Ford, Head Golf Professional of Oakmont Country Club. Lazarus, a former beat writer for both the golf and football teams at the Carnegie Mellon Tartan, holds a Masters Degree in professional writing. .

To learn more about Venture Literary, visit: www.ventureliterary.com.
For more information about NAL, visit: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/aboutus/adult/nal.html