Outstanding book. Part non-fiction, part introspection and part reflection.
An easy read with insights into this area of sports and lessons imparted for those there is still time.
Balance is a key takeaway. Balance in your life and if applicable, your clients wants/needs.
Enjoy this read while reflecting on the application to your life.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

"Rainmaker" is a unique and fascinating look at the world of sports agents from the vantage point of one of the all-time greats.

Hughes Norton, in consort with George Peper, gives the reader an autobiographical look at IMG (the world famous agency of Mark McCormack). It all began with Mark's signing of Arnold Palmer. Norton takes us up to today and the PGA/LIV partnership(?).

As an avid golfer and lifelong viewer of "the majors" on national television, I was hooked on Norton's stories of athletes I've admired and loathed. His tales are unvarnished.

I particularly enjoyed the author's ability to assess his shortcomings and failures. He is very candid. In fact, that's what makes this five stars!

Rainmaker - Book Review
by Ricardo Santiago Soto, MBA


THE JOURNAL FOR INNOVATION CORPORATION

Rainmaker, by Hughes Norton, and George Peper (Atria Books, 2024)



Harvard alum, Hughes Norton, MBA, brings his personal experiences to highlight a noteworthy life at IMG. The author covers personal conversations and observations as the executive assistant of Mark McCormack at International Management Group in Cleveland, Ohio. Norton absorbs golf industry, lives its history, through McCormack's IMG and leadership. The author illustrates how McCormack is always a step ahead of everyone, because he rises early, writes and mails fifty letters a day. Always the networker was part of Mark's vision, always working internally for the outside world to see. Norton says McCormack's life became one big tax deduction. Mark compensated well for bright ideas, keeping executives around. The author paints big pictures, while casting finer detailed entries. Norton provides insight into various deal-makings with talent and businesses. Hughes shows how IMG grew from one talent to a multimillion talent powerhouse. The author reveals his involvement in IMG, such as managing the golf division. You will want to add this book to your Arnie: The Life of Arnold Palmer (2017), What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School (1989), and Mark H. McCormack on Negotiating (1995) reading list.


5 out of 5 stars

Hughes Norton is not a household name however many of his former clients such as Tiger Woods are known world wide.
Norton's memoir is chock full of insider information regarding negotiations between Norton and the companies interested in sponsoring the people he represented.
Norton made landmark deals with NIKE and Titlelist that set up Tiger Woods for life.
Although the book was an interesting read it would only entice readers who are avid sports fans, with an emphasis on golf.
Norton reaffirmed the commonly held belief that Hockey great Wayne Gretzky and CBS sportscaster Jim Nance are the great people they appear to be.
Conversely, the author pulls no punches in detailing the narcissistic behavior of golfer Greg Norman.
While it is true that I liked the book, Norton;'s memoir does not make me want to admire his life or work.

Rainmaker was an introspective look into the life of IMG agent Hughes Norton and mainly his work representing multiple golfers across the 1970s, 80s, and 90s including his groundbreaking deals with golf’s biggest star Tiger Woods.

Coming into this book be mostly unaware of who Hughes Norton and IMG were, the beginning background information was helpful in building up the story, but I found that in the middle it got a bit slow paced at times. I really enjoyed the last 30% regarding Tiger Woods and Hughes’ career thoughts on the LIV and made the slow build absolutely worth it.

This book was provided to me by NetGalley and Atria Books in exchange for my honest and fair opinion. Being a golf fan, this was a fun and interesting read that I would recommend.

Hughes Norton presents an understandably biased but also fascinating view into recent golf history in this memoir cum business guidance text. His background knowledge of the golf goings-on sheds light on current changes, especially in relationship to LIV and the PGA. I look forward to sharing this one with my partner, who is a golfer, and will likely get even more of the references and insider knowledge than I did.

Rounding 3.5 to 4 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.