The Passion of Tiger Woods: An Anthropologist Reports on Golf, Race, and Celebrity Scandal | Duke University Press

Overview

From a scholar's vantage point, The Passion of Tiger Woods offers more than a sports portrait. This concise, discerning study traces how Tiger Woods rose from a trailblazing talent to a global brand, while the media and public narratives reshaped his image at every turn. Rooted in anthropological observation, the book examines not just wins and endorsements, but the rituals of fame, the spectacle surrounding a living icon, and the way a multiracial identity is read in a predominantly pro golf culture. Duke University Press presents Orin Starn’s analysis as a lens on contemporary society: how sports, race, and celebrity intertwine, and how moments of scandal become mirrors for broader cultural anxieties. The result is a thought-provoking read that invites readers to consider the difference between public myth and private experience without offering moral certainty.

Key themes

• Media culture and the making of a global sports brand
• Race, identity, and public perception in modern sports
• Celebrity scandals as ritualized spectacle and social mirror
• Ethics, loyalty, and the myths surrounding hero worship

What you’ll gain

• Insightful analysis that connects sports, race, and celebrity culture
• Accessible anthropology perspective on Tigertagate without moralizing
• Context for understanding how audiences interpret fame and scandal
• Useful framework for evaluating media narratives around public figures

Audience and use cases

Ideal for students, researchers, and curious readers who want to explore how sport intersects with race, media, and American myths. Use cases include classroom discussions, research papers, or informed reading for media professionals.