A Summer in Ireland
Dear Taba, I have become a great believer in “synchronicity” as I have gotten older, and spending time with you at Ambiente is one of those moments that makes me a believer. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy your company, but I was also presented a book you wrote that brought back a flood of pleasant memories of Ireland. A Summer in Ireland is wonderful !! Thank you so much for the pleasures it brings me.
Sincerely, Mike Hurdzan Owner, Hurdzan Golf, Architect, Author, Historian, Golf Collector
Taba, Fun read! You capture perfectly the spirit–and–language–of a day with the inimitable Pat Ruddy.
Cheers, Joe Passov Senior Editor, GOLF Magazine
Dear Taba… There are no words to express my enjoyment from reading your book. By the time you receive this note, I will have finished every delicious experience you so cleverly put on paper. Your words give life to all those “little things” that endear us to the Irish Isle and make it such an amazing place. Thank you for bringing back all the memories and seeing them through your inquisitive eyes. Congratulations on the lovely book ! Claudia Aaron
Taba: Love the book, more than halfway through already. Tom Wilcox Director of Golf Operations at Blackstone Country Club
Spot on! (review from Amazon, November 30, 2013) by Richard Spencer As a member of Lahinch GC, Taba is spot on with her delightful descriptions of the lifestyle on the emerald isle. This is a fun and entertaining read. Cheers Taba!
Dear Taba, Your wonderful book “A Summer in Ireland” astounded me with your ability to impart the most minute incident or circumstances that actually bring out the true essence of what Ireland looks like, sounds like and feels like, to actually be there, without having been to Ireland. The people, animals, the sunrise, etc. is so indelibly portrayed, that I feel a real kinship with this rare country. Wish I could go there “for real.” Sincerely, Adelle Abrahams
Dear Taba, I was thrilled to read your first book (of several, I’m sure!), and spend ‘A Summer In Ireland’ with you. The stories were so charming—one in particular made me ‘laugh out loud’! I could feel and smell the countryside and the warmth and sincerity of the people. I found myself tuning my ear to their accents, and recalling such fond memories of my visit to the island years ago. Your descriptive talents are amazing (this woman has ‘a way with words’): ‘hairy rocks’, ‘diamonds dancing in the waters as they float out to the Atlantic ocean’, and my favorite, ‘the wind, blowing and bending itself around every hard corner, looking for a way in to any vent or tiny crack, that is pervasive. Wanting to be invasive’. I could feel it!! And lastly, ‘Double Rainbow’, October 17, how was it that thousands of miles away, it was a special day for me as well. Congratulations, and best wishes for much success, Sandy
Review of A Summer in Ireland Taba Dale’s A Summer in Ireland is a must-read for anyone who enjoys an easy read, unique stories, lots of laughs (no crying) and sharp wit. I so enjoyed learning about Ireland’s gifted storytellers, ancient culture, and food (I drooled a little). And oh yeah, Dale includes some golf to reveal how much more fun the game can be played the Irish way–as only Dale, our fun-loving narrator can describe it. There are truly sweet (but not cloying) revelations about the shared love of Dale her life partner and “Stallion,” Kevin at whose Irish seaside home they spend summer months. Gifted author, Dale writes with simple yet keenly descriptive, witty prose that reveals her talent for painting scenes with words and repeating what she heard with perfect tone and pitch. Not easy to do with Ireland’s form of English, let alone the Gaelic she interprets so easily. I can’t wait for Taba Dale’s next book. This one will be difficult to top, but she can do it. She’s an author. Bill Ferretti
A Stroll on the Old Lady
Taba’s stories remind me of a passage written by Joseph Conrad. “The yarns of seamen have a direct simplicity, the whole meaning of which lies within the shell of a cracked nut. But Marlow was not typical (if his propensity to spin yarns be excepted), and to him the meaning of an episode was not inside like a kernel but outside, enveloping the tale that brought it out only as a glow brings out a haze, in the likeness of one of these misty halos that sometimes are made visible by the spectral illumination of moonshine.” The stories themselves are well-written and amusing. However, more importantly, in aggregate they convey to the reader a feeling of what Ireland is like. If you think you might like to visit, read this collection. It it resonates with you spiritually, you owe it to yourself to go to the Emerald Isle and experience it yourself. Stephen Goscin Started reading your book and cannot put it down. After every short story I want to read another. That is my kind of book, short, well written, and very interesting. Hurry up and write another. Can’t say which story was my favorite as I enjoyed every one of them. Doug Maloney
Amazon- 5.0 out of 5 stars; I am a lover of Scottish and Irish Links golf courses and enjoyed the stories related to these topics Taba Dale’s A Stroll on the Old Lady is a delightfully written book featuring short stories dealing with such varied topics as Scottish golf origins, local Sottish culture, amusing tales and some Scottish history. I am a lover of Scottish and Irish Links golf courses and enjoyed the stories related to these topics. I also enjoyed some of the historical narratives especially the account of The Battle of Culledon and Bonnie Prince Charles. Taba has an interesting, amusing and captivating writing style. The book is definitely a very good read. By Ron Murstein on December 12, 2016
Amazon- 5.0 out of 5 stars; What a wonderful, informative and entertaining read What a wonderful, informative and entertaining read! Our group has a trip planned next year to play the Scottish greats and reading this book makes us even more excited to go!
Amazon- 4.0 out of 5 stars; Must Read Absolutely fabulous read for anyone who is a golf traditionalist and/or interested in the history of golf. Taba shares the character and captures the true essence of a Saint Andrews golf experience whether 300 years ago or today. Enjoy the delightful images she treats to the mind and senses. Mark Croft PGA
Amazon- 5.0 out of 5 stars; She brings you along on a journey you truly want to be a part of. With a 3 handicap, my late husband was passionate about the game and valued the history and traditions of what he always called ‘a gentleman’s game’, using the word ‘gentleman’ in the sense of respecting the course, the players and the rules. Ms. Dale echoes this philosophy, which led me to become aware of her involvement in the golf community, and when she began to write about her golf travels, she shared lots of her writing with me. I find her work quite appealing as she writes from the heart, communicates very effectively her emotions about her surroundings, and depicts landscapes like artists skillfully brushing on canvas what they see and perceive. Her golf stories are very inclusive and engaging: the game, the landscaping, the architecture, the people, the socializing, the happy hour on the 19th hole ….she leaves nothing behind! She brings you along on a journey you truly want to be a part of. By The Authors Show on April 27, 2017
Amazon- 5.0 out of 5 stars; A must read for anyone visiting Scotland to Golf! I have already read this wonderful book twice and it has helped get me ready for my planned trip to Scotland this summer. It beautifully intertwines history with current day experiences. A must read. By Amazon Customer on February 12, 2017
Amazon- 5.0 out of 5 stars; I loved reading about her golf experiences Just finished reading Taba’s book, I loved reading about her golf experiences. Thank you very much for sharing your stories with me. It makes me want to learn how to play golf and play at Saint Andrew’s in Scotland. You also made me laugh at the “Irish Stallion”. No offense Kevin! From Deborah
Amazon- 5.0 out of 5 stars; Five Stars I am not a great golfer but these stories were captivating By Kathleen Hyneson November 4, 2016
Amazon- 5.0 out of 5 stars; Well done! I love Taba’s energy and style and found the book to be a great read. It is also a nice change to read about golf from a women’s perspective. I especially enjoyed the chapters on Prestwick and Machrihanish and the historical research that she provides. Well done! By Valuable Book on September 22, 2016
Amazon- 5.0 out of 5 stars; More Great Short Stories from Taba I love this book as much as her first one. The subject matter is different, but the stories are just as intriguing. If you love golf and its history, I think you will find this book to be a wonderful addition to your library. By Stephen Goscin on July 7, 2016
