Pool Books

frankncali

frankncali

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have read many of the pool books that are out there but figure I might have missed or overlooked some.
What are some of your favorites? Why and what parts?


For basics I liked Jack Whites Come, Let us to Billiards Away.
Good illustrations of the stroke and good for fundamentals. Other parts
not so great but not a bad book.

The 8 Ball Bible
One of the best books I have looked at. Clean easy to understand
diagrams. Good information. I do believe there are some of the diagrams
that are a bit whack but every book has good and weird.

I have never been a big fan of Byrne or Cappelle but both have good points in their books.

Any of the Robin books I liked. The 3 cushion book is very very good and
easy to understand and Winning One Pocket is awesome.

For good reads I liked The Green Felt Jungle, The story of Cornbread Red,
The Color of Money (better than the movie IMO) . Gradys book was entertaining with all the stories but a bit crude. McGoorty was fun to read
as well.

I am going to try Hamster Tales. Its written by a regular here and on
RSB. Many of his stories in the past that he has posted have been
good so I figure this will be as well. Plus its nice to know I can support
a fellow AzB/RSB guy. Its called Hamster Tales by Malone..check it out.

I did not like Hustler Days and another book I think entitled Pool Stories.

What are some other instructional books and pool story books to try?
 
Favorite instruction book - 99 Critical Shots of Pool

Favorite Story - Willie's Game or Hustler's Days
 
Best Instructional Book (for novice): 99 Critical Shots, Ray Martin
Best for Advanced Players: Pleasures of Small Motions, Bob Fancher

Forget Capelle and his be-the-ball stuff - read Fanchers book, put his mental exercises into action, and watch your game jump to the next level. (Not necessarily recommended for the novice who is still learning the shots).
 
VonRhett said:
Best Instructional Book (for novice): 99 Critical Shots, Ray Martin
Best for Advanced Players: Pleasures of Small Motions, Bob Fancher

Forget Capelle and his be-the-ball stuff - read Fanchers book, put his mental exercises into action, and watch your game jump to the next level. (Not necessarily recommended for the novice who is still learning the shots).
Click to expand...


I glanced through a friends Pleasures of Small Motions once and liked it. I never did buy it. I think I will try it.
Same guy had tennis book that dealt with the mental side and said it was great. I cant remember the name but I have heard/read over the years
were people gave it good reviews.
 
frankncali said:
I am going to try Hamster Tales. Its written by a regular here and on RSB. Many of his stories in the past that he has posted have been good so I figure this will be as well. Plus its nice to know I can support
a fellow AzB/RSB guy. Its called Hamster Tales by Malone..check it out.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Frank. The $10 I promised you is in the mail... (at least you could have pretended you'd read it.)

www.hamstertales.com
 
The Hamster said:
Thanks, Frank. The $10 I promised you is in the mail... (at least you could have pretended you'd read it.)

www.hamstertales.com
Click to expand...


WHAT!!!

Just like a POOL PLAYER. You told me $20 and now I only and getting
10. You sure your not a staker instead of an author?


Honestly was just looking for some insight into some books that I might have missed. I actually enjoy the storylined books much more than the
instructional.
As a project I always thought it would have been great to get as many people
that actually went to Johnson City together and just write it all down.
Have a book about it The Hustlers Jamboree..from those that were there.
Those stories will soon be all second and third hand.
We need to preserve what little history the game has.

I am waiting on my copy of Hamster Tales now. When I get it and finish it
I will post a review. It will be an honest one but I have no worries. I am
just glad you were able to take that idea, put it together, finish it, and
find a publisher and market. NICE JOB
 
frankncali said:
What are some other instructional books ... to try?
Click to expand...

The Pro Book by Bob Henning is one of my favorites. It has quite a range of information. Perhaps 1/2 of the book is the reference shots. The remainder of the book covers a lot of mental aspects to the stroke, game, and competition.

http://www.bebobpublishing.com/mainindex.htm

Dave
 
frankncali said:
WHAT!!!

Just like a POOL PLAYER. You told me $20 and now I only and getting
10. You sure your not a staker instead of an author?
Click to expand...

Lol... the extra $10 was only if you quoted the web site.

frankncali said:
We need to preserve what little history the game has.
Click to expand...

Byrne has a collection of short stories about pool, some of which are quite old and by famous authors. Byrne's book of Great Pool Stories. I enjoyed it and learned a few new facts about how pool was played in the past...

frankncali said:
I am waiting on my copy of Hamster Tales now. When I get it and finish it
I will post a review. It will be an honest one but I have no worries. I am
just glad you were able to take that idea, put it together, finish it, and
find a publisher and market. NICE JOB
Click to expand...

Don't be too honest... lol.

It was quite an arduous journey but I enjoyed all of it.
 
The Color of Money was a great book, and the movie of the same name was good too. But they were totally different stories! The book would make a great movie too! My favorite instructional book: Pleasure of Small Motions. :p
 
frankncali said:
I glanced through a friends Pleasures of Small Motions once and liked it. I never did buy it. I think I will try it.
Same guy had tennis book that dealt with the mental side and said it was great. I cant remember the name but I have heard/read over the years
were people gave it good reviews.
Click to expand...

You're thinking of The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallway, which is very interesting read for players of almost any sport. More ethereal than Fancher's "Pleasures of Small Motions", but then again Fancher is actually qualified to talk about psychology.

Personally for instruction I am a fan of Cappelle's books as I like all the real-world anaylysis, where he shows you critical shots made by real pros in real matches.

My favorite fiction/semi-fiction book is "Playing Off the Rail" by David McCumber, essential reading for anyone considering going "on the road".
 
AuntyDan said:
You're thinking of The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallway, which is very interesting read for players of almost any sport. More ethereal than Fancher's "Pleasures of Small Motions", but then again Fancher is actually qualified to talk about psychology.

Personally for instruction I am a fan of Cappelle's books as I like all the real-world anaylysis, where he shows you critical shots made by real pros in real matches.

My favorite fiction/semi-fiction book is "Playing Off the Rail" by David McCumber, essential reading for anyone considering going "on the road".
Click to expand...

Thats the book I was thinking about. I have heard nothing but good about it.

PLaying off the Rail was a very good read. I just forgot it. Maybe its because
I bought it and then LOANED it out. Now I guess I will buy another. I cant
remember to whom I loaned the book. LOL
I would like to read it again anyway.
 
frankncali said:
Thats the book I was thinking about. I have heard nothing but good about it.
Click to expand...

I have a copy I'd be happy to lend you. PM me if you want to get together sometime, perhaps at DKs or HTs.
 
Banking with The Beard

Banking with the Beard by Chicago banks legend Freddy Bentivegna. Want to bank like a master or learn why you are missing banks? Have to get this book.
Great banking instructions. 2,3,4 and five railers become hangers.
 
Freddy's book is very worthwhile "hot off the press" book BUT rest assured 3,4, and 5 railers are not hangers for anyone!

Martin


the kirkwood ki said:
Banking with the Beard by Chicago banks legend Freddy Bentivegna. Want to bank like a master or learn why you are missing banks? Have to get this book.
Great banking instructions. 2,3,4 and five railers become hangers.
Click to expand...
 
Books

I have a old book you may have read 1930-BYRNES STANDARD BOOK OF POOL AND BILLIARDS ACOMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL CUE GAMES,from basic to advanced play, with over 350 illustrations byROBERT BYRNE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS :o of educational institutions----insane and inebriate asylums----and very many reformatories throughout the world where the billiard table is looked upon as an indispensable adjunct."
 
George Fels, Mastering Pool. Someone mentioned the Science of Pocket Billiards...this is a must have reference book, imho...as is the BCA rulebook.

Byrnes' books are always good. He has a nice sense of humor and explains just enough to get you going in the right direction without droning on and on. Try his Standard Videos, I and II, too. II shows the tangent line and how to get off of it better than any other source I've found.

Mizerak's books are numerous but I quit buying them as each seems to repeat what the other ones say. One is good enough.

Jeff Livingston
 
Anybody ever read A Mind for Pool by Capelle? It was described as helping to "master the mental game" but actually doesn't have much useful information about the mental game. It was a good book but it should have been called something else.
 
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