For good reads, I recommend a bunch of books, but most are unavailable, out of print, or just plain tough to get.
Billiards: Hustlers & Heroes, Legends & Lies, and the Search for Higher Truth on the Green Felt, by John Grissim. 1979
- This included several stories including action from Johnston City, a score for Fat Minny, and the introduction of Efren Reyes to the US pool world.
Hustler Days: Minnesota Fats, Wimpy Lassiter, Jersey Red, and America’s Great Age of Pool, by R. A. Dyer. 2003
- A newer book concentrating on the titled names, also with much about the Johnston City tournaments. Well written, but not the same flare as Grissim.
The Wonder Boys, Mike Mason.
- Written by one of our AZBers,
Mike Mason, it is currently on the top of my list of "books that have a the best shot to become a movie." The fact-based book is centered in Massachusetts during the Vietnam War era. That is, in the aftermath glory days of the movie The Hustler , when amateur matchups was a spectator sport. It's about a young man and his two best friends reporting their life as pool players and as young adults in a very tough time in our history.
Also, see this site:
http://blog.booklistonline.com/category/book-lists/
Fred <~~~ would write a book, if patience wasn't a virtue
