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oldzilla

oldzilla

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Just want to see how many of you azers have read this great informative book about Wille Mosconi and Minnesota Fats.

Lets share our views on the life of these guys and the game and how it has changed along the way !

Get your popcorn and discuss now !

tyvmia for your input.

I will be adding mine along the way.

:cool:
 
Whether you read the book or not, how many knew Willie had his neck broken in a car accident while traveling with Ralph Greenleaf ?
 
I read it a few years back. I think this book is a MUST read for anyone interested in the history of Pool.

Good Story
 
Good book for sure. Don't forget "Hustler Days" also written by R. A. Dyer.
Both well worth the money.
 
Read this and "Hustler Days", must be at least a year ago, maybe more. Both pretty good reads.
 
I read it about 6 months ago, I enjoyed it a lot. Willie seemed a very 'driven/tighty wound' man. It appeared he was a perfectionist who couldn't abide those who played for reasons other than to attempt to honor the game by practicing and playing as well as they were capable.

It seems that he was bugged to no end by Fats' approach to pool and the 'hustle' life in general. It's as though he tried to erase or forget the gambling he did as a child and young man to please and help support his father and family.

As many dedicated and compulsive over-achievers have found-he seems to have had trouble being a caring father connecting with his children.

Perfection apparently is a very demanding mistress.

I'm plan to read 'Hustler Days' soon.
 
R. A. Dyer's books will tell you how it was back in the day and how it changed in the later years.
 
That was a very good read. But our own Jay Helfert Pool Wars is super an the photo's are great. An if you want a good read (Road Player) the Danny Diliberto story is great, you can almost smell the smoke. An I also enjoyed Cornbread Red by Bob Henning, great read. Man reading these sure makes me want to get my cue together. I tell you its nice to have a hobby were you can collect books, dvds, an too much equipment to mention. Like Rogan said pool is a beautiful game played by ugly people. I just wish I was prettier. Skip
 
The Hustler & The Champ

I've read both at least 6 times and frequently pick them up and just open to a page and read a chapter or two. Both are excellent reads as well as rare and valuable glimpses back into how things were in our sport 20, 40 even 60 years ago. We can use many more books like this about other characters of the game. I don't recall which vendor carries them, but they can be found for sale every year at the SBE. One of my favorite stories is when Willie lost it when Fatty was playing to the crowd at the Waldorf Astoria before a match in which Willie was to commentate and Fatty was to play. If I recall correctly, Willie's exact words were..."YOU BEAT ME??? YOU BEAT MEEEEE??? YOU BUM!!! YOU NEVER BEAT ANYONE IN YOUR LIFE!!!!!" Ursitti said he covered 30 feet faster than an Olympic sprinter to get to Fatty on that occasion - not bad for a man in his mid-60's. It wouldn't be a bad idea to make a movie out of some of the things in either of those books. God knows there's been enough Mafia movies, war movies, etc., etc. A well written biographical on Mosconi's or Fatty's life would do well I'd say.

Ron F
 
Ron F said:
I've read both at least 6 times and frequently pick them up and just open to a page and read a chapter or two. Both are excellent reads as well as rare and valuable glimpses back into how things were in our sport 20, 40 even 60 years ago. We can use many more books like this about other characters of the game. I don't recall which vendor carries them, but they can be found for sale every year at the SBE. One of my favorite stories is when Willie lost it when Fatty was playing to the crowd at the Waldorf Astoria before a match in which Willie was to commentate and Fatty was to play. If I recall correctly, Willie's exact words were..."YOU BEAT ME??? YOU BEAT MEEEEE??? YOU BUM!!! YOU NEVER BEAT ANYONE IN YOUR LIFE!!!!!" Ursitti said he covered 30 feet faster than an Olympic sprinter to get to Fatty on that occasion - not bad for a man in his mid-60's. It wouldn't be a bad idea to make a movie out of some of the things in either of those books. God knows there's been enough Mafia movies, war movies, etc., etc. A well written biographical on Mosconi's or Fatty's life would do well I'd say.

Ron F
Click to expand...


Ron-

That image describes the reported relationship between the two to a 'T'.

'Triple Smart' Fats knew what buttons to push. And push. And push again.

Thanks for recalling this scene from the book.

Great book.
 
Ron F said:
I've read both at least 6 times and frequently pick them up and just open to a page and read a chapter or two. Both are excellent reads as well as rare and valuable glimpses back into how things were in our sport 20, 40 even 60 years ago. We can use many more books like this about other characters of the game. I don't recall which vendor carries them, but they can be found for sale every year at the SBE. One of my favorite stories is when Willie lost it when Fatty was playing to the crowd at the Waldorf Astoria before a match in which Willie was to commentate and Fatty was to play. If I recall correctly, Willie's exact words were..."YOU BEAT ME??? YOU BEAT MEEEEE??? YOU BUM!!! YOU NEVER BEAT ANYONE IN YOUR LIFE!!!!!" Ursitti said he covered 30 feet faster than an Olympic sprinter to get to Fatty on that occasion - not bad for a man in his mid-60's. It wouldn't be a bad idea to make a movie out of some of the things in either of those books. God knows there's been enough Mafia movies, war movies, etc., etc. A well written biographical on Mosconi's or Fatty's life would do well I'd say.

Ron F
Click to expand...

Fats was asked by the crowd during one of his "im the greatest" rants if he ever beat Mosconi. Fats said " I beat everyone" and continued his rant. That's when Willie went off.
 
skip said:
That was a very good read. But our own Jay Helfert Pool Wars is super an the photo's are great. An if you want a good read (Road Player) the Danny Diliberto story is great, you can almost smell the smoke. An I also enjoyed Cornbread Red by Bob Henning, great read. Man reading these sure makes me want to get my cue together. I tell you its nice to have a hobby were you can collect books, dvds, an too much equipment to mention. Like Rogan said pool is a beautiful game played by ugly people. I just wish I was prettier. Skip
Click to expand...

Yup all of them very good to read. My kind of pool book is the stories and bio's. I think I have read them all !

The Hustler and the Champ
Hustler Days
Pool Wars
Road Player
Playing off the Rail
Right on Cue
Cornbread Red
The Green Felt Jungle
Running the Table

If you know of any other let me know ! tyvm
 
I've read "The Green Felt Jungle." It was a pretty good read. I've been meaning to get the rest of the ones on 'zilla's list.
 
oldzilla said:
Yup all of them very good to read. My kind of pool book is the stories and bio's. I think I have read them all !

The Hustler and the Champ
Hustler Days
Pool Wars
Road Player
Playing off the Rail
Right on Cue
Cornbread Red
The Green Felt Jungle
Running the Table

If you know of any other let me know ! tyvm
Click to expand...

McGoorty: The Story of a Billiard Bum.
 
You can add by John Grissim (not the author who wrote The Rainmaker and Pelican Brief). The full title is Billiards, Hustlers & Heros, Legends & Lies and the search for higher truth on the green felt.

It quotes Byne's McGoorty, Gene Nagy, Don Willis, Efren Reyes, and Fats Mosconi rivalry.

oldzilla said:
Yup all of them very good to read. My kind of pool book is the stories and bio's. I think I have read them all !

The Hustler and the Champ
Hustler Days
Pool Wars
Road Player
Playing off the Rail
Right on Cue
Cornbread Red
The Green Felt Jungle
Running the Table

If you know of any other let me know ! tyvm
Click to expand...
 
ctyhntr said:
You can add by John Grissim (not the author who wrote The Rainmaker and Pelican Brief). The full title is Billiards, Hustlers & Heros, Legends & Lies and the search for higher truth on the green felt.

It quotes Byne's McGoorty, Gene Nagy, Don Willis, Efren Reyes, and Fats Mosconi rivalry.
Click to expand...

Read this right after McGoorty! Have both. Hustlers and Heroes is tough to find and expensive when you do. Last I saw on Ebay was $275.00.
 
ctyhntr said:
You can add by John Grissim (not the author who wrote The Rainmaker and Pelican Brief). The full title is Billiards, Hustlers & Heros, Legends & Lies and the search for higher truth on the green felt.

It quotes Byne's McGoorty, Gene Nagy, Don Willis, Efren Reyes, and Fats Mosconi rivalry.
Click to expand...

I did read McGoorty but I forgot to include it in my list. I borrowed a copy to read it and thats why I forgot it. I went by the books I have on the shelf.

That other one Hustlers & Heros, Ledgends & Lies is one I haven't read. Maybe because it is rare and pricey !

Tyvm guys for mentioning them !
 
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