The Art of War...

lewdo26 said:
"Golf is Not a Game of Perfect"

That is also a quote from the book about Tiger named "Think like Tiger", they say his mom used to teach him that philosophy to channel bad energy into good energy for his next shot.
 
It's a good read. I put it up there with the other theological books. Pick out the good, keep in mind the bad, and don't dwell on what doesn't matter.
 
I think different types of people play pool.

One is a "thinking" or "strategy using" type of player. And for this type of player, the book "The Art of War" would be quite useful in teaching strategy - using strategy to win games.

For example the book discusses "spying" on your opponent. For pool, it might be handy to know in advance that your opponent can't pocket balls with a bank or kick shot. Then you can use this against them if a safety is needed. Or you may learn in advance that your opponent *can* pocket balls with banks and kicks. So if you need to play a safety, it better be a good one!

(Of course if you are not a thinking/strategy type player, then I would guess this would all seem like nonsense, not relate to pool, etc...)

The types of things which come to mind for this type of play are numerous...

Blocking the 8-ball in the game of 8-ball [endgame].
Blocking your opponents object balls in 8-ball.
Tying up your opponents balls in 8-ball.
Leaving your opponent with a low percentage shot.
Safety play - leaving cue ball in nasty spot.
Intentional fouls - hand opponent cue ball giving them ball-in-hand.
Intentionally shooting your opponents ball - intentional foul - 8-ball.
Intentional scratch - "bar rules" 8-ball.
Intentional miscue.
Pocket hanging 9-ball with push out or disrupt easy 9 combo with intentional foul - 9-ball.
Etc...
 
The Art of War by Sun Tsu

Icon of Sin said:
I have heard that a lot of pool players have read this to improve their mental part of the game to help them stay focused. I remember hearing Charlie Williams say Thorsten Hohmann ahs read it and he seems to be of the most focused players I have seen shoot.

Anyone here read this and recommend it?

The Art of War is a true classic written 2400 years ago by the Chinese general Sun Tzu. I understand it's required reading by our military academies and officer candidates. Have scanned thru it myself and found it a very interesting philosophy re vanquishing your enemies but tough to apply it directly to pool.

Is this what you were asking about Icon? An english translation link: http://www.kimsoft.com/polwar.htm
 
Jigger said:
The Art of War is a true classic written 2400 years ago by the Chinese general Sun Tzu. I understand it's required reading by our military academies and officer candidates. Have scanned thru it myself and found it a very interesting philosophy re vanquishing your enemies but tough to apply it directly to pool.

Is this what you were asking about Icon? An english translation link: http://www.kimsoft.com/polwar.htm
Yeah, I found that link yesterday. Pretty ccool the entire books translation is online LOL. I think im still gonna pick up a copy though because I dont want to read the whole thing while sitting at a computer. I may pick up one of those pocket copies that are available to keep in my case or something like that.

Thanks for the link!
 
Thanks for all the replies and everything. I checked amazon for "The Pleasure of small movements" but nothing came up, is that a strictly Pool book or can it just be related to pool?
 
As long as I don't sniff OTHER people's farts I think I am doing okay. Like Fat Bastard says "Everyone likes their own brand!!".
 
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