I'm sure this book, McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler by Robert Byrne, must have been discussed here in the past since it was originally published in 1972 but since I'm new here I would just like to ask ... is it worth the read?
McGoorty
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Understand that the book was published under three different titles. Don't pay too much if you just want to read the story.
To me, it's the best read of any of the pool-related books and the one that easily could become a movie.
Byrne is a great writer, simply put.
Freddie <~~~ don't read on an empty stomach (or full stomach for that matter)
It was entertaining, and only a couple bucks used on amazon!
Danny McGoorty is the best pool book I have ever read.
A buddy of mine had a hardback copy I finally returned to him after 2 years, LOL
Byrne did a fantastic job of writing this book. He used words just like you would have heard it spoken. McGoorty was a drinker and used very vulgar language apparently. Great book..:thumbup:
A buddy of mine had a hardback copy I finally returned to him after 2 years, LOL
Byrne did a fantastic job of writing this book. He used words just like you would have heard it spoken. McGoorty was a drinker and used very vulgar language apparently. Great book..:thumbup:
Thanks for all the feedback, guys ... just placed the order on Amazon.
I guess I'll find out about clap treatments of yesteryear when I read the book. 
Hey PoolBum ... I just noticed your sig line. I didn't steal it, just on the same wave length. One of my favorite Fast Eddie lines.
Loved that book. It's only one of very few books ever to actually make me laugh out loud while reading it.
You obviously have excellent taste. There's a lot going on in that line from Eddie--it pretty much sums up his transformation between the first time he played Fats and the second time he played Fats. Fats had no chance the second time around.
There are two versions of the book with pictures, and the two versions have different pictures. The original hardback didn't get pictures and the Sports Illustrated version omitted the pictures but somehow kept the captions. The most recent version from "The Broadway Library of Larceny" has pictures as does the Citadel paperback version.
Great book.
There's a line in there when he's talking about Minnesota Fats, and he says "there's a bunch on guys who would swim through a river of s**t to play Fats for money".
I have to admit I've stolen that line more than once, especially when someone is woofing.
There's a line in there when he's talking about Minnesota Fats, and he says "there's a bunch on guys who would swim through a river of s**t to play Fats for money".
I have to admit I've stolen that line more than once, especially when someone is woofing.
don't have to read if you have seen the movie
One of those unforgettable lines from "The Great Scout and Cathouse Thursday"; "You got it the same old way, we cure it the same old way."
Hu
I guess I'll find out about clap treatments of yesteryear when I read the book.
One of those unforgettable lines from "The Great Scout and Cathouse Thursday"; "You got it the same old way, we cure it the same old way."
Hu
If you dont laugh at least 5 times while reading this book, check your pulse. I bought this book around 1977 at J.C.s Billiard academy in Queens and still have it.
Heres a link to another thread where Bob Jewett graciously posted two photos of Danny McGoorty.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=310440&page=2
Heres a link to another thread where Bob Jewett graciously posted two photos of Danny McGoorty.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=310440&page=2