Fels

alphadog

alphadog

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In reading posts I don't think Fels books get enough credit.After first reading his book years ago and then re-reading it recently, I just feel it is hands down better then Ray's,or Phill's.George's w.p.s are spot on,and he
gives reasons for their importance. Just my .02 but feel better getting this
out,so thanks for the therapy.
 
Mastering Pool

Was introduced to George Fels by our mutual friend DannyD at a
trade show.I told him he cost me a lot of money 'cause I keep giving
his book Mastering Pool away as gifts.He said"I wish you had more friends".

It's a great read.George is intelligent,informative and funny.
Many people buy Billiards Digest and go straight to the back to read
his column.
 
alphadog said:
In reading posts I don't think Fels books get enough credit.After first reading his book years ago and then re-reading it recently, I just feel it is hands down better then Ray's,or Phill's.George's w.p.s are spot on,and he
gives reasons for their importance. Just my .02 but feel better getting this
out,so thanks for the therapy.
Click to expand...

Great post. I've always thought that Fels' "Advanced Pool" was maybe the most informative pool book I've ever invested in.

His strategy to simplify "whatever possible, whenever possible", helped me tremendously, and the knowledge contained in that book alone is well worth the cover price...In fact, I should probably send him a percentage of the purse from every tournament that I win...:smile:
 
alphadog said:
In reading posts I don't think Fels books get enough credit.After first reading his book years ago and then re-reading it recently, I just feel it is hands down better then Ray's,or Phill's.George's w.p.s are spot on,and he
gives reasons for their importance. Just my .02 but feel better getting this
out,so thanks for the therapy.
Click to expand...


I was given his book, by a close friend, for my birthday this past year. I would have to say, given what I read in the section on straight pool, I prefer it over Phil Capelle's (whom I personally met and is a very nice man) or Ray Martin's. Capelle's and Martin's books are both 'excellent' and extremely informative but George Fels seems to address what you need to excel in the game..directly.
 
my 02- George is great

I met George Fels while he was getting his cue work done by Guido- (DCC-07) They both were interesting Fellows- Anything they said worth worth listening too. And they sent me to the best sandwhich shop around. George used billiards size,snooker, small shafts. Guido had the best damn dent filler I ever saw. I encouraged him to use kamui- I bet he has put on Hundreds since then.
 
I agree! I read excerpts from Mastering Pool in The National Billiard News and wrote to George in care of the paper in regard to them. He sent me a letter and told me that because of my interest he would send me a copy as soon as it was ready for publication. My copy has not only been read and reread by me but by many others over the years. I've talked to people who borrowed my book and have played many more years than me. They learned things from Mastering Pool that they had never seen or heard of before.
I would also refer people to George's article in Billiards Digest entitled 101 Ways to Improve Your Game. With the permission of Billiards Digest, countless copies of this article were given away as a handout at the opening of a local pool room, now closed. I've made and given away many copies of this over the years and they have helped many people to improve and enjoy the game more.
I understand George has run over a hundred in Straight Pool a few times, so he can play as well as write.
My hat's been off to George for years!
 
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I can honestly say George's wp's taught me more about how to play straight pool than anything else did while I was learning the game. I also like how easy they are delivered to the reader, it's like here's the rules, follow them whenever possible and you'll be on the right track.
Thanks George;)
 
the book is good but look at page 34, photographs #17 & 18 and someone tell me how the 9ball can move from the head-side of the table, behind the 13 and move to it's position on photo 18?
 
Great thread. I have 3 of George's books, A Smarter Way to Learn Pool, How Would You Play This, and Advanced Pool. I love them all.

I wouldn't so much say they are better than Capelle's or Martin's books, just different, and very good in their own right. George shows you things you don't see elsewhere, and you leave with a feeling that you've had a lesson from a true master of the thinking side of the game.

I've benefitted from each of them, and would recommend them to any serious student. I emphasize 'serious' because these are not light reading, but require study. The rewards are worth it, though. Highly recommended.
 
I own Mastering Pool. The pages devoted to "inside english" changed forever how I thought about and use it. I love insdie english now and prefer it to outside. Most opposite of what others feel, IMO. I don't think his take on it gets discussed much, if at all.

Paul Mon
 
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Very similar experience.
Thanks for jogging my memory about George's books.

I was lucky to get all 3 books on sale at the 2nd Derby City Classic and have been unlucky letting so called friends borrow them and now I need to replace and then reread them.

thanks Amazon.com


Paul Mon said:
I own Mastering Pool. The pages devoted to "inside english" changed forever how I thought about and use it. I love insdie english now and prfer it to outside. Most opposite of what others feel, IMO. I don't think his take on it gets discussed much, if at all.

Paul Mon
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Neil said:
You have to use "my opponent isn't looking, so this shot will come out perfect for me" english. Notice how perfect he now is on his next shot- the 9!

Seriously though, that obviously is a mistake! But, I agree that his book is great and it has helped me a lot. I have recommended it on here a number of times.
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George told me in the letter he sent me that the book was being delayed because of problems with pictures and diagrams. This is probably one of those and didn't get changed.
 
alphadog said:
In reading posts I don't think Fels books get enough credit. ...
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George offers a lot of insights that are hard to get from other books. I suspect that it is mostly a lack of advertising that keeps him "hidden" in book discussions. Here is a list of his books that I know of -- maybe George could fill in any holes.

Fels, George; Advanced Pool; PB; 1995;
Fels, George; Mastering Pool; PB; 1975;
Fels, George; Pool Billar Americano Superior; L=Spanish; 1998; PB;
Fels, George; A Smarter Way to Learn Pool; PB; 1999;
Fels, George; How Would You Play This?; PB; 1998;
Fels, George; Como Jugaria Esta Posicion?; L=Spanish; PB; 1999;
Fels, George & Blick, Alvin; How to Play Pool Right; PMP;
Fels, George; Legends of Billiards; PMP; 1993;
 
It's a great read.George is intelligent,informative and funny.
Many people buy Billiards Digest and go straight to the back to read
his column.[/QUOTE]

Thats me! All the way!

I go straight to the last page.
 
I'm honored

George Fels said:
My thanks to you all. It's ENORMOUSLY fulfilling to read that you took out all I put in to them. Happy holidays, GF
Click to expand...

Honestly I'm honored to have George respond to this thread.I really meant
to post this in the 14.1 area , but it really belongs here for more people to
have their memory jogged!Thanks to all who responed.And a special thanks
to you George.
 
I have ALWAYS enjoyed George Fels' books and title the vast majority of my threads "How Would You Play This?" in tribute to the first Fels' book I read. There is nothing more thought provoking in billiard instruction books than being presented unusual challenges. To have an entire book like that was a real treat! Speaking of which, I might post something now.
 
I have not having read many books on pool, but Fels wrote a 14.1 book without pool cliches or ghost written baloney. You can throw away all others, and extrapolate many nuances with his book.
 
I own and have read all of George's books that I am aware of and have benefited greatly from each. I also had the honor and pleasure to take a lesson from George and have been the recipient of his humor and knowledge during conversations with him that I've had at Red Shoes.

His column on the back page of BD is, as pt109 remarked in his post, the first thing I read every month.

George is, imo, a dammed good guy, a master player and a pro writer. I feel grateful to have met him. Doing so has improved the quality of my life.
 
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