Mark Wilson's New Book

Williebetmore said:
RT6,
I hope I didn't come off critical....you have every right to question the price. I was just trying to clarify for everyone (not bring them down on you :-)).

My medical texts are $250-$500 apiece; and were the model for our pool textbook. I tried to get Mark to charge at least double what he is; but he would not even consider it. He figured if he could sell a thousand over several years (doubtful) that he might break even on his out of pocket expenses.

Check out Buddy Hall's "From Rags to Rifleman" or Eddie Robins "Winning One Pocket" or "Shots, Moves, and Strategies." You will be lucky to find them for under $250. I believe Mike is correct...in 5 or 10 years Mark's book is likely to be scarce and expensive (but I will have mine, and that's really all I care about :-)).

Anyway, I hope you don't feel too criticized....the people that actually buy it can see it immediately for what it is - one of a kind. If you buy it and don't like it, I'll buy it back from you to make up for any unpleasantness in this thread (though I thought everyone, yourself included, was quite polite by AZB standards :smile:).
Click to expand...

you seem to be involved with the book, I've decided to buy it, but I live in Canada, does that mean I have to buy the international version? an extra $30 for shipping to Canada doesn't seem in line with todays shipping prices.
 
What a strange discussion. Lots of people here has cues and equipment for thousands of dollars - hell!
There is people here spending 30 bucks on a piece of chalk! What the F**K is $70 on a good book on pool...
 
randallt6 said:
you seem to be involved with the book, I've decided to buy it, but I live in Canada, does that mean I have to buy the international version?
Click to expand...

RT6,
Well...I WAS involved with it, now that its done I am just a totally biased pool fanatic.

Have you thought of moving to the U.S.??? I recommended that to DaveK who ordered one shipped "up north," but he declined....something about "no Labatts and crappy hockey" here.

The shipping is crazy expensive to Canada (only $8-$10 in the U.S.; foreign is around $30....welcome to the "post-9/11 world;" Canada evidently wants to prevent importation of WMD's disguised as pool books). Mark does need to have tracking - pool players are notorious for claiming they didn't receive the merchandise, then getting a second item free....sad but true. Even at that the extra cost for tracking is minimal - shipping to Canada is just crazy. Wish it was different.

P.S. - What part of Canada is your profile photo :-)??..... Southern Canada I guess:-).
 
Last edited:
Just ordered it. Glad that Mark seems to have fully embodied his sound, proven principles in this book.

I've met Mark at several past tournaments (and his mentor, Jerry Breisath on other occasions).

He, like Jerry, does indeed know what he's talking about, loves teaching the game, and -- possibly most noteworthy -- again like Jerry, has had numerous seriously concerned pro players seek him out to uncover and remedy flaws that have crept into their game over the years. Good teachers of anything at all -- have the gift of instinctively noticing things that others overlook.

Looking forward to receiving and benefitting from his book. The price is understandable and really shouldn't impede sales to serious, improvement-minded players. Hell, half the fun of pool is continually fine-tuning your game. Always reaching a little beyond your present grasp.

Arnaldo
 
Last edited:
arnaldo said:
Just ordered it. Glad that Mark seems to have fully embodied his sound, proven principles in this book.

I've met Mark at several past tournaments (and his mentor, Jerry Breisath on other occasions).

He, like Jerry does indeed what he's talking about, loves teaching the game, and -- possibly most noteworthy -- again like Jerry, has had numerous seriously concerned pro players seek him out to uncover and remedy flaws that have crept into their game over the years. Good teachers of anything at all -- have the gift of instinctively noticing things that others overlook.

Looking forward to receiving and benefitting from his book. The price is understandable and really shouldn't impede sales to serious, improvement-minded players. Hell, half the fun of pool is continually fine-tuning your game. Always reaching a little beyond your present grasp.

Arnaldo
Click to expand...

Arnaldo,
You are going to love the book - it is meant for players like you that believe the sentences in bold above.

Even pro players can improve using the principles Mark espouses. When I began playing about 8 years ago, I was taking lessons from a top pro player. When it became apparent that I was serious about learning, the pro told me, "well, if you are serious, you have to take lessons from Mark and Jerry (their methods are almost identical; Jerry was one of Mark's mentors)."

That pro set up a lesson for me with Mark, and one with Jerry - he didn't ask me if I wanted a lesson, he just set it up and told me to go. After about 5 minutes with either one of them, that light bulb goes off above your head - what they teach is completely self-evident once you hear it; and its hard to argue with their logic. I am grateful I was sent there, I think you will be happy you bought the book.

P.S. - Mark is my best friend in life, so realize I am completely biased :); but working on the book with him was the greatest privilege of my life.
 
randallt6 said:
So at a price of $70 he is just "sharing" his material and not trying to turn a profit? Right .....;)
Click to expand...

I believe that's correct. I doubt the cost of producton of this book leaves much profit even at that price. It's not some funky paperback book that's falling apart the first time you read it. Mark's primary goal was to leave a legacy to his life's work. He did a tremendous job of it.

Now folks can take it or folks can leave it. I doubt that will matter much in the big picture to Mark.

I took it and am damned glad to own it.

JC
 
Kim Bye said:
What a strange discussion. Lots of people here has cues and equipment for thousands of dollars - hell!
There is people here spending 30 bucks on a piece of chalk! What the F**K is $70 on a good book on pool...
Click to expand...

The same people who will mock you for taking lessons, spend 40 hours a week playing pool as their only hobby and suck eggs at it forever and ever.

I wish everyone felt that way and I was the only person on the planet with this book:)

JC
 
JC said:
I believe that's correct. I doubt the cost of producton of this book leaves much profit even at that price. It's not some funky paperback book that's falling apart the first time you read it. Mark's primary goal was to leave a legacy to his life's work. He did a tremendous job of it.

Now folks can take it or folks can leave it. I doubt that will matter much in the big picture to Mark.

I took it and am damned glad to own it.

JC
Click to expand...

yup i just purchased it. if i'm not happy with it im leaving dog shit on all your porches.......lol
 
randallt6 said:
yup i just purchased it. if i'm not happy with it im leaving dog shit on all your porches.......lol
Click to expand...

Now THAT'S the attitude of a committed pool player!!:):) Good luck (...I'll start checking the porch in about a month....though would rather you let me buy it from you if you don't like it :smile::smile:)
 
Williebetmore said:
That pro set up a lesson for me with Mark, and one with Jerry - he didn't ask me if I wanted a lesson, he just set it up and told me to go. After about 5 minutes with either one of them, that light bulb goes off above your head.
Click to expand...

Man, you got to the same metaphor I used! Imagine me, total beginner (I last played pool when Jerry Ford was President), who thought that pool consisted entirely of aiming at the pocket and trying to get the ball in. My lessons with Jerry were so eye-opening those "light bulbs" were going off like a flash gun! It was a series of "oh, so THAT'S how you do that."

Mike
 
ok based on all these reviews I just ordered it also. I figured why not; I spend losts more than $70 on crap that won't help me near as much. Hope its a good book !
 
I purchased this book a couple of weeks ago. Mark instructs out of a poolroom here in St. Louis and was kind enough to personally sign my book since he was giving a lesson there at the time. I have been playing about 15 years but never seriously. I have decided to get more serious about the game and honestly believe this is a textbook on how to do just that, if I CHOOSE TO PUT IN THE WORK. Kudos to Mark and Dr. Wardell and Dr. I hope to meet you and have you sign my book also!
 
randallt6 said:
I could totally be wrong but $70 is pretty steep compared to other pool books. I could be totally wrong tho.
Click to expand...

I think I have an extensive book collection. I have 400+ books on pool/billiards in my collection. I probably paid $70 plus for less than 10 books. So it is expensive in dollars for a pool book. It is without doubt the best pool book on improving your game in my collection. I think it is worth much more than $70 he should probably be charging $125 or more, the people who do not buy one while they are available might soon be regretting it as you never know if an author will print another run of books.

If you want to save some bucks and take alot more time to develop your game save the cash and play more pool, hit more balls, perhaps emulate the better players you see, you might just get there it will only take more of your time.

If you want to save some time and probably play better sooner buy the book and do some work.

So what is your time worth?

What have you figured out about your game on your own so far?

Can you figure out the rest to get yourself to a high level on your own?

Good luck, shoot straight.
 
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,



randallt6 said:
Ok slow down for a second cowboy.

Why do you assume that I think it's wrong for Mark to be paid for his work? You are the one that said he released this book to share the knowledge and not turn a profit, I replied to your quote and said sarcastically that obviously Mark priced the book to turn a profit from the book, as he should be....afterall this is his job, he's a professional and should get paid for it.

I am in no way against Mark being paid for his work, I don't know where you came up with that outrageous claim but you need to slow down to think before you point the finger and accuse me of thinking Mark shouldn't get paid for his work.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
On Mark's website there is a section to download supplemental files for his book. I am seeing an error with downloading the first file Figure 29-4M (Download) Did he take that down on purpose or is there a issue with his site and this link?

Thanks
Chris
 
Two things you won't find in Mark's book are gimmicks and the silver bullet. What you will find is start/basic fundamentals to finish, how to get very good with the right work ethic and the right practice routine. All the tool are there, we just have to learn how to use them.

As far as $70 dollars for a text book that you will only need one of for the subject...that's cheap in todays text book prices. My nursing books in 1978 were over $400. Everything has gone way up in the book business. Paper, editing, promoting, and all the other stuff that most don't even know about.

I can remember every time I had a date with a new girl back in the 1950's. I'd want to look good, so I'd get a haircut for half a buck, then go to the men's shop in town and buy a complete outfit for $20. Nice dress shirt, nice slacks or name brand jeans, pair of nice loafers, sox and underwear. Today your talking way over $100 for the same outfit. Johnnyt
 
I ordered the book last night - was surprised to see the loonie sucking so much though.

Looking forward to it.

Gerry
 
I just bought one. It's nice to know ahead of time that you are going to get your money's worth before you even get it. Johnnyt
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top