Phil Cappelle 8 ball book

berlowmj

berlowmj

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
When I checked on-line, the book is out of stock everywhere & someone said his press has gone out of business. Is that true?

I was fortunate to pick up a copy at Rack 66 in Louisville today. I have only read a few chapters, but his writing style is extremely clear. For example, it is the first time that I feel confident that I understand tangent lines. I also appreciate the lengthy strategic explanations included in his discussion of the break. I look forward to spending time with this book.

I wish I was young enough to live long enough to apply it all.
 
ctyhntr said:
I checked Amazon, some of Phil Capelle's books are indeed out of stock. Judging by these sellers, are Capelle's books really worth $90-$150?

Straight pool
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0964920425/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

8-ball bible
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0964920476/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
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Obviously, buying Phil Capelle's books on his website is a lot cheaper than from those re-sellers.

http://www.billiardspress.com/

None of his books from his website are more than $29.95.
 
Cornerman said:
I don't think I've ever read it. I even think I own it. Can someone tell me if I do own it and if I read it?

Thanks,

Fred
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I'm not too far here in Philly, give me a call, and I can come by and check your bookshelves on my free time. The problem is, I NEVER have any free time. Good luck with your future book finding endeavors!
 
whitewolf said:
The 8 Ball Bible is better, by far.
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If you primarily play on 7 foot bar tables with oversize or overweight cue balls then I would agree with you, for that is the specific type of play that Givens addresses in "The 8 Ball Bible".

Now, I'll grant you that some of the advice in "The 8 Ball Bible" is applicable to any type of bar table / cue ball combo, but generally speaking the book's scope is limited to bar tables. It strives to, and suceeds in being excellent as "a guide to bar table play".

Capelle's "Play Your Best 8 Ball" is far, far better.

It does not limit itself to any size of table. It addresses the differences right in the beginning, and then goes on to provide enough information to keep you going for two years (provided you read it all and practice it all in order to internalize the material).

IMHO, with 16 Chapters, 535 diagrams, and 480 pages it has more solid info than any other book on 8 ball. No one who loves 8 ball and is serious about it should be without a well worn copy. :smile:
 
I own the Capelle 8 ball book and happen to be re-reading it this week. It is very, very helpful. I also own Play your best 9 Ball, Play Your Best Straight Pool and Play Your Best Pool. All of them worth reading, although I suppose if you have the first three (or two) you don't really need Play Your Best Pool.

I was a little suprised that the 8 ball book was so geared towards bar tables. This may be a boneheaded question, but does the vast majority of the pool playing public not play 8 ball on the big tables?
 
Secaucus Fats said:
If you primarily play on 7 foot bar tables with oversize or overweight cue balls then I would agree with you, for that is the specific type of play that Givens addresses in "The 8 Ball Bible".

Now, I'll grant you that some of the advice in "The 8 Ball Bible" is applicable to any type of bar table / cue ball combo, but generally speaking the book's scope is limited to bar tables. It strives to, and suceeds in being excellent as "a guide to bar table play".

Capelle's "Play Your Best 8 Ball" is far, far better.

It does not limit itself to any size of table. It addresses the differences right in the beginning, and then goes on to provide enough information to keep you going for two years (provided you read it all and practice it all in order to internalize the material).

IMHO, with 16 Chapters, 535 diagrams, and 480 pages it has more solid info than any other book on 8 ball. No one who loves 8 ball and is serious about it should be without a well worn copy. :smile:
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I strongly disagree with you. The 8 Ball Bible states that the concepts can be applied to large tables - granted not all as you pointed out - but most (90% imo). For example, the dead zones on a bar table are much more significant, but nonetheless important. I dare you to find this in Capelle's book. The strategies, safes, etc. given and the examples that go with them are FAR much better than Play Your Best 8 Ball. Capelle's book is a piece of crap with many many obvious things presented that waste a whole lot of space.
 
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I have and have read all of Phil's books and think all are excellent with the exception of A Mind For Pool, which I'd only rate as good. I've also read 20 other pool books, so I have a lot to compare it to.

I have not read, nor even seen the 8 Ball Bible, but I disagree strongly with Whitewolf's assessment of Play Your Best 8 Ball. It has a very thorough, though of course not exhaustive, coverage of all important areas in the game, with numerous clear diagrams to assist in understanding.

Phil writes with clarity and though there are others out there who also have excellent books, you cannot go wrong with any of the Play Your Best ... books.
 
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