Augusta

I’ll admit: I approached *Augusta* skeptical it could say anything fresh about a club that’s been mythologized to death. But Eubanks pulls it off by treating Augusta National like a character—equal parts fascinating and infuriating. The book’s strongest stretches dissect the club’s role in civil rights (the delayed admission of Black members isn’t just recounted; it’s framed as a masterclass in institutional foot-dragging) and the sheer audacity of its power plays, like strong-arming TV networks into fawning coverage. Parker’s narration elevates the material; his delivery during the more outrageous episodes (the 1970s-era antics of certain chairmen, say) carries the dry amusement of a guy who’s heard it all but still can’t believe it. That said, the audiobook isn’t without flaws. Eubanks occasionally overplays the ‘golf as religion’ metaphor, and the latter chapters meander into tangential stories that disrupt the momentum. The production is clean but unremarkable—no immersive sound design to evoke Augusta’s azaleas or roars, which feels like a missed opportunity. Still, the book’s biggest triumph is its tone: reverent enough for golf purists, but irreverent enough to keep casual listeners hooked. If you’ve ever watched the Masters and wondered, *How did this place get so weird?*, Parker’s performance makes the answer feel like insider gossip over a clubhouse drink—just don’t expect an invitation to join.