Mark Wilson & Don Wardell, M.D.

[elvicash]

All idiots and idiots savante please do not buy this book. So for the idoot savants if you naturally play like Efren and broke and ran out the first time at the table when you were 6 years old. You do not need to buy the book, your fine. For the basic idiots, I do not believe you can be helped anyway.

This book was a laborious multi decade endeavor by one of great players/teachers of the game. He shares a method to go to a high level by doing hard work. He tells you what needs to be done. Methods to do that and the process has to be repeated multiple cycles. There is no magic pill. This book is a great book on how to develop the fundamentals. How to train. It is not for everyone. It is $70 bucks if that is a lot of money for guidance on how to spend 10,000 hrs of your life which is $0.007/hr then I suggest you consider it overpriced and keep on moving. There are other things to knock over or break in life.

In all fairness I will admit to being a friend of Don Wardell and having a more than basic aquaintenance with Mark Wilson. My self I consider them both freinds but am fairly sure neitrher would loan me money. So that gives you an idea of my bias. In closing I can honestly say I am not being compensated in any way for saying this is a great book and I am glad I own it myself.

 

[DaveK]

It seems like some cannot distinguish between passion and pitching.

Thanks for the thread Joey, I appreciate learning about this book.

Dave

 

[JoeyA]

It seems like some cannot distinguish between passion and pitching.

Thanks for the thread Joey, I appreciate learning about this book.

Dave

You're welcome Dave.

A good book so far (and maybe a great one - time will tell) by good people!
JoeyA

 

[TSW]

Thank you all for the glowing endorsements. I take it there is to be no sample made available.

I would like to own Mark's book one day but, since I don't have a sense of what's in it, it is not going to be my next purchase.

 

[Koop]

Give the hard sell a break.

It gets tiring listening to you and your "you have to own this book, you are at a loss if you don't have this book, there is no better book ever written."

As far as posting a part of the book, your idea of "is not a work of fiction where a sample of style might influence someone to read it." is totally untrue. In fact, I've talked to a number of book dealers and collectors all of whom are completely unfamiliar with your previous writings.

If you aren't willing to post a few pages (tell me how the book can be pirated when you post a few pages,) then there are a lot of people unwilling to purchase it.

P.S. Check Amazon or most other online sites, you can read a portion of most every book, well except Willie's book. You know Willie, the guy who has read practically every book about pool in the English language.

Wow, that was unnecessarily harsh.

 

[Williebetmore]

Wow, that was unnecessarily harsh.

K-man,
Actually I found it quite humorous. .... do any of us think he "talked to a number of collectors and dealers" about this subject that he is "tired of"? Another keyboard warrior who makes up imaginary stuff to support his opinions. Humorous and a bit pathetic, but not of any significance to thinking people who see through the fantasy. How old does he think we are?

He is entitled to his opinion like all of us. ... but he really would like company and respect: things that are not forthcoming with his juvenile approach (doubt a fifth grader would be fooled).

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[Mr. Wilson]

What does Don Wardell M.D.have to add to a book about pool? I've read threads on here about him and all the lessons he takes. He's not a player, nor an instructor, he's friends with Mark, that's all good and well.

Why should I or anyone buy a book with him in it? (if no one is looking to sell it, then a reply with "don't buy it, or it will sell without you buying a copy" will be an answer.

And, what pool accomplishments is he quiet to talk about? A local league or a dinner with Jeanette?

How about this: I have grown weary of the constant negativity.

I do not care whether you approve of anyone's qualifications to speak on any topic. Add constructively to the discussion or don't participate at all.

At this time, you are in danger of being banned for the constant bashes you are dishing out.

 

[RED LITE]

Don't buy this book....

I bought this book, mainly because I respect Mark Wilson's knowledge of the game, and his devotion to serious study of it.

I sincerely hope nobody else buys it; at least nobody I am likely to match up with. :grin-square:

Everyone makes his own sandwich.

RL

 

[Williebetmore]

RL,
The masters of the game jealously guarded their secrets for over a hundred years (or failed to do the serious work necessary to communicate those secrets...or just didn't know how to teach someone to do what they did)....MUCH to the detriment of the sport. As you will see in the book, you WANT the best opponents you can find (but I know what you meant, and appreciate the sentiment).

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[Pre-Flag Master]

I bought this book, mainly because I respect Mark Wilson's knowledge of the game, and his devotion to serious study of it.

I sincerely hope nobody else buys it; at least nobody I am likely to match up with. :grin-square:

Everyone makes his own sandwich.

RL

My aunt was a great cook. And my uncle always used to say, "Don't eat that. It's terrible."

 

[CSykes24]

How about this: I have grown weary of the constant negativity.

I do not care whether you approve of anyone's qualifications to speak on any topic. Add constructively to the discussion or don't participate at all.

At this time, you are in danger of being banned for the constant bashes you are dishing out.

Mark,

Congrats on Lindenwood University's sweep of the UMTPC this past weekend. Well done! I was looking forward to coming up to see both you and Betsy, but of course something came up and I was unable to attend.

Hope all is well! If you're recruiting grad school students, I'm right here

 

[rayjay]

I just read the first 6 chapters and will go back and re-read them again, and will probably do so a few more times again before I die. This is some really good stuff that can't help but elevate your game if you apply it. This is a quality, well made, beautifully printed book that is just full of the real skinny on great pool. Thanks Mark, much appreciated.

 

[Williebetmore]

I just read the first 6 chapters and will go back and re-read them again, and will probably do so a few more times again before I die.

RJ,
I am glad you "got it." Proficiency isn't a lesson or a book, it is a process. ... and only you can do it. Best of luck! !!

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[dmgwalsh]

Don:

I bought the book and am working on things in the stance chapter. I have altered my stance, and have much more clearance, i.e., my right hand no longer runs into my body when I stroke. I am a bit more upright than I have ever been, too. It was not real comfortable at the beginning, but I think it is starting to pay off now. While not totally cured, I have been throwing out the chicken wing less frequently than in the past and long shots are being made more frequently. I have tape on the floor in my basement to help me set up on a practice shot and have been trying to get my body to where it naturally assumes that position during play. This book has so much good material in here, I will have no excuse for not improving other than not putting the time in. Thanks to you and Mark for putting together a wonderful textbook.

I spoke to Sailor about the book and he loves it. :thumbup:

 

[Neil]

RJ,
I am glad you "got it." Proficiency isn't a lesson or a book, it is a process. ... and only you can do it. Best of luck! !!

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I've said it before, but it bears repeating...if you can go to an instructor, by all means do so. Hands on is almost a necessity. That said, an instructor is limited in time he can spend with you, and thereby is limited in just how much he can say to get his point across to you. That's where this book is so great. Mark is able to take the time to really explain the nuts and bolts of learning to play pool. The "why" of why things are taught the way they are, and the extreme importance of certain things. And, it is done in a very convincing manner that leaves little doubt if any.

I'll be the first to say that there was very little "new" information in it for me. However, I will also be the first to admit that way too much of the info that I knew, I wasn't REALLY incorporating into my own game! This book stressed to me the importance of what I knew, or thought I knew. Of the extreme importance of always doing things the correct way. I have often told students that you need to be like a surgeon when playing. No goofing off or laziness. Yet, I never really realized just how lazy I had become in my game. That is now changed. This book was a real eye opener for me. One can "know'" something, but then come to really know it. This book will do just that for you if you are willing to put in the time on the table.

I strongly feel that this book is a "must have" for anyone seriously wanting to become the best player that they can.

 

[Williebetmore]

Don:

I bought the book and am working on things in the stance chapter. I have altered my stance, and have much more clearance, i.e., my right hand no longer runs into my body when I stroke. I am a bit more upright than I have ever been, too. It was not real comfortable at the beginning, but I think it is starting to pay off now. While not totally cured, I have been throwing out the chicken wing less frequently than in the past and long shots are being made more frequently. I have tape on the floor in my basement to help me set up on a practice shot and have been trying to get my body to where it naturally assumes that position during play. This book has so much good material in here, I will have no excuse for not improving other than not putting the time in. Thanks to you and Mark for putting together a wonderful textbook.

I spoke to Sailor about the book and he loves it. :thumbup:

Dennis,
You are VERY welcome. And many thanks to you for reviewing the book for us at a barely readable early stage. I hope you will agree that it is much better now.

Video is your friend, much of the unwanted arm and body movement we try to suppress is not apparent - we often can't feel it.

Kudos to you for figuring out one of the key messages (unfortunately, pool requires a HOST OF KEY MESSAGES ). When you get to the conclusion, you will note Mark's heavy emphasis on improper stance being one of the very most common things that make it nearly impossible for many amateurs to reach their goals....they are often told that any comfortable stance will do, and NO STUDENT ever reports their stance is uncomfortable, no matter how poor. You have done a TOUGH (and intelligent ) thing by taking that VERY bold step.

The book is an homage to Sailor (and some others as well). It was written FAR more as a way to honor him and repay him for his influence than as a financial venture. It would be the ULTIMATE compliment if Sailor liked it (and Sailor will never "soft soap" anything....he tells you EXACTLY what he thinks). If he doesn't approve of it, then I have failed Mark completely. Can't wait for him to finish it.

 

[Williebetmore]

Neil,
Whewww! I was really worried I was going to have to buy it back from you. One of the goals of the book was VERY ambitious goal (bordering on unrealistic); and that was to be of value to novices, intermediate amateurs, high level amateurs, professionals, elite professionals, and instructors.

You are the first high level amateur to read it, and we are VERY happy you like it.



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[Neil]

Neil,
Whewww! I was really worried I was going to have to buy it back from you. One of the goals of the book was VERY ambitious goal (bordering on unrealistic); and that was to be of value to novices, intermediate amateurs, high level amateurs, professionals, elite professionals, and instructors.

You are the first high level amateur to read it, and we are VERY happy you like it.



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Buy it back??? I loan out a lot of my books to friends of mine to read and learn. However, I have already stated to some that THIS book will NOT be loaned out. I'm not taking the risk on losing it like I did Buddy Halls book. (that one still hurts, not for the knowledge in it as much as the price the book shot up too.) Your book I won't loan out because I don't want to lose the knowledge in it. Let them buy their own copy!

 

[JoeyA]

I've said it before, but it bears repeating...if you can go to an instructor, by all means do so. Hands on is almost a necessity. That said, an instructor is limited in time he can spend with you, and thereby is limited in just how much he can say to get his point across to you. That's where this book is so great. Mark is able to take the time to really explain the nuts and bolts of learning to play pool. The "why" of why things are taught the way they are, and the extreme importance of certain things. And, it is done in a very convincing manner that leaves little doubt if any.

I'll be the first to say that there was very little "new" information in it for me. However, I will also be the first to admit that way too much of the info that I knew, I wasn't REALLY incorporating into my own game! This book stressed to me the importance of what I knew, or thought I knew. Of the extreme importance of always doing things the correct way. I have often told students that you need to be like a surgeon when playing. No goofing off or laziness. Yet, I never really realized just how lazy I had become in my game. That is now changed. This book was a real eye opener for me. One can "know'" something, but then come to really know it. This book will do just that for you if you are willing to put in the time on the table.

I strongly feel that this book is a "must have" for anyone seriously wanting to become the best player that they can.

I like your post especially because of how strongly I relate to the "knowing" but not always "applying" aspect. I'm impressed that you found little "new information" in the book. I look forward to reading a portion at a time.

Right now, Don is in town and I am getting the good Doctor to make a prognosis of my afflictions

JoeyA.

JoeyA

 

[Williebetmore]

I like your post especially because of how strongly I relate to the "knowing" but not always "applying" aspect. I'm impressed that you found little "new information" in the book. I look forward to reading a portion at a time.

Right now, Don is in town and I am getting the good Doctor to make a prognosis of my afflictions

JoeyA.

JoeyA

Joey,
Most of your problems are related to inadequate po boy consumption.... as an expert in THAT field, I can show you how to correct it....at Mandina's .

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