Product Description
Now updated throughout and expanded with new material on strategy in eight- and nine-ball, trick shots, and billiard memorabilia, this comprehensive guide to cue games remains “the definitive work on pool and billiards” (National Billiard News). Index; diagrams and photographs.Amazon.com Review
In the world of cue sticks and side pockets, this is thegospel, the 1998 revised, standard version of the 1978 bible. Achampion player, indefatigable writer, and inexhaustible promoter ofhis sport, Byrne racks his book into two halves, the first a primer onpool, the second on three-cushion billiards. Beginning with thefundamentals, he goes on to run the table with lots of readable adviceand detailed diagrams for how to play individual shots, includingtrick shots, strategies for eight- and nine-ball, and rules for themajor pool games. Then it's on to billiards, where he banks from thefundamentals to the art of shot making and tactics for play at everylevel, touching on every conceivable cushion along the way. --JeffSilverman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

long cherished desire fulfilled
been an ardent admirer of this cue game ;
has tried at places to indulge but unfortunately
nonavailability of proper theory and practical guidance
had deferred this pursuit for a long long time for the sake
of my medical profession ; but this fantastic book in hand i have
found a new zeal after a gap of 30 years; this should summarize
my appreciation of of your product ; my thanks

An unparalleled resource
I can recall few products that I have bought over the years that more than lived up to its hype, promises, and my expectations. If there is a better book out there on pool and billiards, I am not aware of it. Clarity of writing and exquisitely simple and concise diagrams contribute to a superb resource.

Byrne's New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards
Robert Byrne is the very best at describing how the differing aspects of pool and billiards is supposed to be played.I would definitely suggest that you buy this book or any of the other pool instruction books written by this author.I have bought this book for at least five of my friends and continually refer back to it myself.You won't be sorry you bought it.

Billiards
I can't get through the book.A little heavy.A video on You tube is easier to understand.

Great book
This book is great because of it's content but it gets 5 stars because it's an anywhere-everywhere read! You can peruse the many interesting diagrams while sitting on the John or before bed yet it's still meaty enough to warrant sitting down at the kitchen table an digging in to the theory of playing great pockets Billiards. I don't think there's really anyone who couldn't get something out of this book. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (16)

Easily the best book on billiards ever written.
The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards
Accurately explains the physics of all pool shots and techniques as the basis for teaching each shot. The only book that actually teaches how to make bank and kick shots without the usual mumbo-jumbo and mysticism contained in all other books. All teaching is immediately useful. If this doesn't improve your game, nothing will. Has serious, no-bull training on correctly using English. Book has links to free mpg demonstrations of all principals.

The Best
I would say outright the easiest billiards book I have came across.It goes from the basics to the strong techniques.A step by step program to improve your game.My game has increased dramatically using the simple guidelines in this book.

Excellenttool for all levels
I bought this book for myself last year. It is an excellent reference for everyone from the beginner to those who would like to learn and refine more complex shots. It explains the physics of pool, and best of all, there are links to a web site where you can see every shot demonstrated. That was invaluable to me, as I can see exactly where the cue is positioned on the ball, how the stroke is delivered, and the end result in cue ball position. I highly recommend this book, and bought it this year for my brother-in-law, so he can be better competition for me (smile).

A Little Misleading!
I was surprised at the rather low price being asked for this book, but after receiving it, it became perfectly clear that I had been mislead into believing that all instruction was included with the book, including a CD.
If you don't have a High Band Width computer hook-up, your really going to be surprised that the only way to get what you thought you had paid for is to send an addition $18 to $24 to get the CD or DVD.
The book was fairly well written, but the CD/DVD business left a bad taste in my mouth.

THe best
THis is very good. Dr Dave complements the reading with videos posted in a web site, you can also write to him, and he will answer within hours. great book great help. Perhaps not the best for banking methods, but good. ... Read more

Product Description
The Science of Pocket Billiards covers the entire spectrum from basics to the most advanced concepts of pool. There are 262 pages (81/2 X 11) crammed with information along with 33 photographs and 277 illustrations to help clarify the material presented. The occasional player can skim through the book and learn enough for a lifetime of casual play while a serious student of pool can study this book for months or even years and continue to gain valuable knowledge. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

The best pool book ever !!!!
This is by far the best book about pool & billiards that I have ever had the opportunity of reading. This is a must have for the serious pool player !!!!!

Great Book!
I found this book very helpful!It's easy to understand, and has a large variety of both exercises and practice drills.It's clearly written and not so long as to be daunting to get through.

covers everything
Great for any skill level. Covers the physics of the game in a way that dose not make you more confused than when you started.

excellent book
This is a book every pool player should read. If I had read this as a beginner, my game would have probably improved much faster. However, even advanced players have things to gain out of this book. If you are interested in physics, you should without a doubt buy this.

Very thorough coverage suitable for all levels of player
I purchased this book as a total beginner to pool and it has really jumpstarted my learning process.Normally I'd have learned by trial and error and would eventually develop a 'feel' for it.This book explains scientifically, geometrically and physically what is taking place on the table so that I understand what it is I'm attempting to make happen.Feel will always be necessary, that's much of the fun, but understanding the logic behind each shot is a great guide and really helps me get back online when I lose that elusive feel.

Koehler's book starts with the basics of equipment and terminology and proceeds through technique, strategy, psychology and more.One thing that I really like is that the book offers many alternatives so that I can choose the ones that suit me best, or have options when my usual approach isn't available.The author offers some opinions on which might be a better choice but provides enough information on each to allow an informed decision.

Though I'm still a beginner I am confident that this book would benefit players of all levels.I've got a pool buddy (also a beginner) that lives a few hours away.I sent him a copy of this book so that I won't have an unfair advantage next time we get together! ... Read more

Product Description

Practical, step-by-step tips for players of all levels

From Snooker to Carom to good-old-fashioned 8- or 9-Ball, Pool & Billiards For Dummies reveals the tips, tricks, and rules of play, covering the variety of the ever-popular games that make up pool and billiards. This hands-on guide discusses everything from the rules and strategies of the games to how to set up a pool room to choosing the right equipment, and is accompanied by dozens of photos and line drawings.

• See how hard to hit the cue ball and where to hit it, the angle to hold the cue stick and how much chalk to use, how to use a bridge, and how to put spin on the ball
• Includes advanced pool techniques and trick shots for the seasoned pool sharp

With Pool & Billiards For Dummies, even a novice can play like a champion! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Easy to read...made me feel like a pro
Very clear pictures and text.Pretty instructive for a beginner with plenty of additional takeaways for someone looking to get serious about competing (or hustling).Would be great if there was a companion video, but the writing, instructions and drills are still really easy to follow.

Solid resource for players of any level
I've been playing pool for a while, but am entirely self-taught.I thought I was decent until recently getting hustled by a guy with a toothy smile who smoked Winstons (yes, Winstons) the whole time we played.I know - if you don't know who the sucker is in a pool hall, it's probably you.Needless to say, I went home and ate an entire Jack's Pizza feeling sorry for myself.

My friends say I'm a (slightly) competitive person, so it's no surprise that to avoid that embarrassment again, I decided see what books were out there for learning about pool from some experts.I picked up this book since it was brand new (maybe it would have some new strategies that haven't been written about before?) and on sale (always looking for a deal).

Turns out to have been a great decision.First, it is structured very logically and easy to follow.Second, there is a lot of insight about the game (strategies, techniques, etc.) that the author makes super clear and easy to digest.And most importantly, you can immediately take these ideas to the table and see improvement.My friend has a table, and he and I have spent some time playing and practicing some of the techniques.He is a very good player, and was surprised to find that there were things in the book that even he could learn from - so I think this book has something for all levels of players.

This book has really piqued my interest in the game, and the things I've learned from it have inspired me to become more than just a casual player.And hopefully I can avoid losing my shirt to Dr. Teeth again...

One of the best I've read
I own several pool guides: Robert Byrne's "New Standard" and "Advanced Technique," Philip Capelle's book, Matt Sherman's book, Jeanette Lee's guide and even "The Complete Idiot's Guide." However, this new guide is surprisingly among the best. It's highly readable, smart, and comprehensive, but also very technically accomplished--much more than I expected from a "Dummies" book. It is accessible enough for beginners, but sophisticated enough for people like me who have been playing for over 10 years. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Product Description
For the most popular pool games in the world.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

learn or improve your pool game
I have never played pool and decided I needed to learn.What better way than to read about it from the experts.

Billiards Revised and Updated
Excellent book. It's amazing how many commonly accepted practices for games such as Eight Ball are wrong according to the official rules.More people need to buy this book!

Offical Rules
My boyfriend wanted a book on the rules of different pool games because him and his buddies had many different rules to play various games.So I bought him this and they got to see who was right and who was wrong. It was the perfect gift for pool players.Very GOOD!

I really wish more people would read this.
Every bar, tavern, club and hall with a pool table (in the US) should have a copy of this on-hand.The horrendous inconsistence and outright ridiculousness of most local and house "rules", not to mention individual "rules", has made a sorry mess of recreational American pocket billiards.I can only hope that the REAL games of 8-ball, 9-ball, etc., become better known to amateur players over time, and that the bogus, corrupt, yokel variants of these games finally die off some day.

EXCELLENT
WOW! I WISH I HAD THIS BOOK ON THANKSGIVING - IT SURE WOULD HAVE SAVED SOME TIME AND EVERYONE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A CHANCE TO PLAY.YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS THAT ONE PERSON THAT SAYS, "YOU CAN'T DO THAT' OR 'POOL HASN'T BEEN PLAYED LIKE THAT IN YEARS", AND THEN -- WELL, I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU ... Read more

Product Description
Phil Capelle's Play Your Best Pool is by far the mostcomprehensive book ever published on playing pool.The book's 442pages reveal hundreds of secrets and strategies that can help improveyour game regardless of whether you are new to the game or are on theverge of going pro.

A complete course on the fundamentals includes over 40 photos thatdemonstrate the correct stance, bridge, grip and stroke.A series ofchecklists shows you how to practice and evaluate your game.The nexttwo chapters cover everything you need to know about aiming andshotmaking.Ninety diagrams demonstrate gamewinning shots includingbanks, cuts, combinations, billiards and caroms.

The pros make pool look so easy because they've mastered the art ofposition play.Play Your Best Pool shows you how to use english andthen provides you with over 130 diagrams on all facets of positionplay so you can also learn expert cue ball control.Phil Capelle's 21Principles of Position Play alone are worth far more than the price ofthe book.Speed control, natural position, how to plan for threeballs at a time and down the line position are just a few of theprinciples covered in this section.

Your success at 8-ball and 9-ball, America's two most popular poolgames, largely depends on how much you know about the strategy of eachgame.In two big chapters you'll learn all about offensive anddefensive strategies that can help you gain control of the table andkeep your opponent in his chair.You'll find solid advice on kickshots, safeties, pattern play, break shots and much more.These twochapters alone contain over 170 illustrations.

Developing a topflight pool game requires that you spend many hoursat the practice table.Play Your Best Pool provides you with over 20diagrams of practice drills and many other useful suggestions formaking your practice sessions as fun and productive as possible.

To round out your complete course in pool you'll find chapters onthe mental game, competition and how to improve that will tell you howto think like a winner and compete successfully in tournaments,leagues and money games. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Great Book!
Great book.My game is improving every week.Hoping to be one of the top 15 shooters in my league this season!!

Arguably the best book on pool
I bought this book, the "99 critical shots..." and a couple more locally. Frankly, just this one would have been more than enough. There is NOTHING in the "99 shots" or any of the other books I have that isn't covered by Capelle in this book and that would be of any value. Capelle goes beyond "what" you should do and also explains "why".

Good start
Its an good start for noviceand too for advanced players , excellent way for teaching the basics and upmost form to play like a pro

play your best pool review
The book is very good and it is for any level of pool shooter.I felt that if I learned one thing from the book, I would be happy.I've learned many things so it's worth it.I'm still reading it but so far so good.I would say that this book if for the shooter that wants to improve their game - the less experienced you are, the more you are going to get out of this book.

Only book on pool I will need
I bought this book after reading many of the positive reviews. I was fairly new to serious pool at the time, and was looking for a comprehensive guide to really give me a way to organize my practice. This offers everything i needed and more. It will be a while before i can digest everything contained within. Everything i can say about this book has already been stated by many reviewers much more experienced than I. I simply enjoy watching my friends' jaws drop when i run the table and having some laughs while i do it with much less effort and indecision than it used to require. Pool becomes more fun when you can challenge more advanced players and have interesting matches. Definitely worth every penny. ... Read more

Product Description
When it comes to billiards, we control the table.

Billiard games are some of the most popular pastimes in America, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pool and Billiards is the most comprehensive, easy-to-use guide to the subject on the market today. This updated edition includes:

• New sections on eight-ball and nine-ball—two of the most popular games
• An all-new section of show-stopping trick shots anyone can do
• Dozens of new photos and a completely updated resource section
• Updated Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame
• A new overview on the multi-million-dollar market for TV tournaments ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Good information on Pool/Billiards
This is a good reference manual on pool/billiards.It includes data on selecting equipment and accessories.The chapters of tips on how to shoot are well written and clear, easy to understand.A good addition to the library of any pool player.

Side Talks
Good book, but it comes with a lot of side talks, more than the real information that you will learn. Some my prefer this way, but not me. I always prefer to get direct info.

GREAT BILLIARD BOOK FOR EVEN SMART PEOPLE
The book is great as written by a great billiard player, star personality, talented announcer, trick shot expert, and overall billiard guru. I learned many things from the encyclopedia of billiard expertise. FOLKS, THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR ANY LEVEL POOL PLAYER; DUMMIE OR NOT.

During a recent WPBA tournament in Oklahoma City, this reviewer was promised by the book's author to autograph the 2 new copies I had just purchased. One of these books was for a sick child in the hospital as Ewa is his favorite player but we were unable to connect. I will try again in Oregon in 2 weeks as this Dummie wants an autograph!!!!

wordy book on billiards
I just wanted a basic book on billiards and billard etiquette.This book is too big and wordy.I guess it is a good book if you are considering purchasing a billiard table, as it goes into great detail about what to look for, etc.I wanted just a basic book.

Good
Its good when your starting in to the pool. if not you may find only a 1/3 of the book use full. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Correction
The Hustler was NOT based on Wanderones life.Wanderone chose the name Minnesota Fats after the movie came out.This have been clarified by Walter Tevis, the author of the book "The Hustler" many times.

The character in the hustler would appear to be based on a short story by Tevis.

Wanderone was by many accounts not a world class pool player, but he was certainly a gambler, and an interesting personality.

Fun and Fanciful
A very fun book to read.Does not have as much instruction on how to make killer shots as I would have hoped, but still a great book.Just remember to keep your tongue firmly in your cheek as you read about the Fat Man's adventures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A comprehensive discussion of3 cushion and carom billiards
Of the dozens of books and videos I have read and viewed, there is no better discussion on the mathematics and subsequent use of the diamonds. Very few authors even touch on this subject. Mr. Hoppe also explains in detail the use of caroms, english and how to determine the path of cue and object balls after they make contact with each other. All guess work is removed because Mr. Hoppe uses scientific principles in his discussion of this grand old game.

On another note, I found this book in a small bookstore in a small town fifteen or more years ago. I lost this book ten years ago and have not been able to find it anywhere. I now know that it is out of print.

A classic by one of the greatest billiard players ever.
Willie Hoppe provides you with everything needed by dedicated person to become competitive in 3-cushion billiards play. He begins his book with the proper selection of a cue stick for playing billiards, then for thirty pages of text, detailed diagrams, and clear photographs, takes you through the fundamentals (stance, balance point of the cue, bridge, cueing the ball, stroke, english, and speed). The next twenty pages introduce you to the carom (natural, follow, and draw) and the use of the rails in cushion caroms and straight rail billiards. The second half of the book is dedicated to the game of 3-cushion billiards. In it Mr. Hoppe outlines the key shots of the game, misunderstood shots, and finally the science of the game. He discusses why english curves the path of the ball, the effect of the nap of the cloth on the table, the effective size of the target, long and short rolls, and the various diamond systems. His explanation of these systems alone is worth the price of the book. It is complete, detailed, and, most important, clear. In all, this book is exceptionally dense with information. Even after twenty years of use, each time I come back to this book, I gain a greater understanding of the game. It combines clarity of description with 95 well though out diagrams and thirty-seven black and white photographs. All in all, it is one of the best explanations of the royal game to ever have been published. Players of all levels of experience and skill will find something of value, and most will find enough to keep them learning and improving their game for many years. If you have the dedication of purpose to work your way through his approach to learning billiards, you too can become a Player (with a capital "P") using this book alone. As Willie Hoppe says in his forward to this book "You or anyone else who reads these instructions can become a good billiard player beyond the shadow of a doubt -- if you follow them." I agree, and I think you will too. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Borrow it via your library to decide whether it's worth buying.
Note: I myself am not yet a very highly advanced player; but I've been practicing daily for the past six months, and I'm permanently hooked.

The reviewer who said this book is absolutely "no good" was WAY too harsh. I'm looking at a copy of this old book (that I borrowed via interlibrary loan), and I'm spotting numerous intriguing tips (via the text that accompanies the many decent drawings).

A portion of the content pertains specifically to ("pocketless") billiards, not pool; but an appreciable portion does pertain specifically/equally to pool.

Mind, this "1964" book isn't nearly as impressive as the best books that have become available during the ensuing decades. But I myself happen to enjoy collecting MANY pool books--including sundry vintage volumes like this one--because I seldom fail to notice at least one or two little/big things that end up helping my game.

And decent USED copies of this book sell at such extremely low prices that I'm shortly going to order one for my personal "pool" bookshelf.

No good
I don't know why this book is still in print. The pool section is terrible and the billiard section is worse. Don't waste your money. ... Read more

Product Description
The 2nd Edition of The Billiard Encyclopedia is the only complete book ever written on the sport of billiards, pool and related accessories.Tracing the origins back to the ball and bat games of the Egyptians, the co-authors have provided a complete history of the billiards sport as we know it today.Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of stunning color-plates, many B&W photos, and numerous graphic illustrations, much of the visual imagery of this tome has never been seen by the public before.Taking over 8 years to assemble, this publication also includes important chapters on the legendary pool players, cue makers, table manufacturers, and important accessories which have allowed the sport to achieve a world-wide status. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

DON'T SETTLE FOR THIS "OBSOLETE" (2nd) EDITION!
Don't settle for less than the FINAL (third), much-expanded edition of this book: The Billiard Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition - An Illustrated History of the Sport

Also, regardless of where you choose to purchase (the THIRD edition), don't pay more than the $129 (plus shipping) that the author himself charges for brand-new copies via his dedicated website. [By contrast, some THIRD-PARTY sellers have, unfortunately, appeared greedily eager to OVERCHARGE unsuspecting buyers by outrageous amounts.]

Reference book COMPLETE!!!
This is by far one of the most extensive books concerning the sport of billiards and pool. I often go to this resource before writing for pool publications; I also use itas a guide when shopping either online or traveling. There is more information here than perhaps EVERgathered in one book. Excellent photos and history in the wonderful reference material. If you are interested at all in this sport this is a must have! Worth every penny.

a must for all
This book captures the vivid history of a sport that has until recently been relatively unknown. Not onlyu in my opinion does this book capture the origins of the sport in a way never seen before as a piece of art it is relatively uncomprimised in the industry today. ... Read more

Product Description
If you play pool, this concise, fully-illustrated book can make you a winner. Win at Pocket Billiards teaches the pool player how to pocket one-, two-, and three-rail kick shots.The author also includes savvy tips for nine ball and straight pool. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

kicking systems
The systems work if you practice a lot (no ones stroke is exactly the same as someone elses) and learn to adjust for each table. The author means precisely what he says, you have to pay attention to every detail in the explanations.The outline of the 3 rail diamond system is as good as any.

Great book for advanced players
Although this book's title doesn't really indicate it's true contents, it is certainly a clear and concise guide to "the diamond system" and 1, 2, and 3 rail kicks for the advanced pool player.

Contrary to a few other reviews I have read about this book on this site, I feel the shot descriptions and illustrations are very easy to follow and understand.One reviewer complained about the lack of explanation of concepts like running/reverse english, and that is true.The author tells you right up front that you need to already be familiar with the concept of english, as well as terms like long rail, short rail, and extended diamond, but he also explains them in the included glossary for you.The quote by one reviewer that "This book tells you nothing you cannot find out from another good player at a hall" is just an outrageous claim, unless the pros regularly hang out at your local pool hall.

If you are looking for a book about pocketing balls, improving your stroke, or how to execute a good draw shot, this is not the book for you.However, if you are an advanced player looking to de-mystify "the diamond system" and 1, 2, and 3 rail kicks, as well as banks, this IS the book for you.It is also very short and to the point, which is a plus in my book.There are many books on pool which cost three times as much as this, but don't divulge these seldom discussed advanced techniques.

Inconsistant
I really liked the early part of the book, but inconsistancies occur in the methology as you progress into real game situations where you would seek position off the object ball. Although it's not great, it is still worth the cost to open your mind to new possibilities.

I am being generous with this 2.
I am a league player rated a 5.I can make shots and banks.I am not the best player and I'm not the worst player.I was looking for a book that gave a solid kicking system.

This book tells you nothing you cannot find out from another good player at a hall.The fomula given is usable.Unfortunately, it is not explained too well.The examples on the 3 and 4 rail kicks lack in quantity.The illustrations lack variations in shots and explanations on how to make a reasonable adjustment.A beginning pool player is not going to follow it.The other information in this book can be found in other books which are better written.99 Critical Shots of Pool contains all this information and more.

This is not for the beginner.If you don't know english or have a good stroke, you will not benefit from this.This book assumes you already have the basics behind you.

I don't recommend this book.

Buy a tip pick instead.Or some chalk.Or a soda.

good at first but i got lost
I thought i finally found a book that explained the diamond system and was getting it but then to book moved on to areas that i could not find explained earlier than i got lost.examples shown did not always show all the needed information to fully understand anddecipher.after reading the other reviews i must be a ree, everyone seems to love it.i am at about a 25 ball run on regrular basis. ... Read more

Product Description
It is obvious that having definite objective aiming pointswill do wonders for a player's game, which is the basis of thesebooks...the word "systems" does not exactly define this collection...amore appropriate description would be "planning cue ball paths." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A True Revelation
This is an ultimate and indispensable guide to 3-cushion players. All four books of this series are full of precious formulas and tips many of which were secret to amateurs. Systematic and pin-pointed explanations and diagrams are incredible. This series should not stop here.

Developes a higher level of play
Thank you very much for putting them (books) together. There just doesn't seems to be a lot available in English to help the aspiring 3 cushion player to develop to a higher level of play. Through your efforts, the game is considerably strengthened.

Embraces the magnitude of billiard system knowledge
Each of these books are a work of art....they could not be more easy to understand....one of the best theory teachers who has ever passed through the billiard world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

War Wounds
1958, and Germany undergoes political, social and economic reformation.Robert Faehmel looks back over the period of two world wars enabling Boll to explore themes of identity and what fashions identity.German culture led to aggressive militiarism-how to replace it or make it translate into something different;the past isn't easy to erase. Also, the people doing the rebuilding are all in some way linked to this past.
The story perhaps is a little allegorical for some tastes, and this dates the book as Germany and the world has moved on 50 years. Still, its an expertly crafted novel by a Nobel prize winner.

A remarkable novel that wears its age well
I first read BILLIARDS AT HALF PAST NINE over thirty years ago while in college.It made a strong impression on me then. Now, it does not strike me as one of the classics of twentieth-century literature, but still it is a remarkable novel which should not be forgotten in the passage of time.

In some ways, BILLIARDS AT HALF PAST NINE is a poorer (less rich), shorter, German version of Joyce's ULYSSES.In both, all the contemporary action takes place during one day (in the case of BILLIARDS, Sept. 6, 1958), but in both there are numerous flashbacks, some quite lengthy.In both, the story is told via numerous narrators, from multiple perspectives -- in BILLIARDS there are at least eight different narrative perspectives, providing the characters and events a multi-faceted depth and complexity.Finally, BILLIARDS, like ULYSSES, is rich in allusion and actual or potential symbolism.(BILLIARDS, however, is of ordinary length; it can be read over a weekend.)

For all of its narrative complexity, the basic story-line of BILLIARDS is relatively clear and comprehensible, and throughout there is an air of mystery and foreboding which helps propel the reader forward.Overall, the tone is calm and measured.

As for my interpretation of the novel, I really don't have that much to offer.It clearly contains a negative, judgmental assessment of Germany's turn in the 1930s to Hindenburg and then to the Nazis.There also is a clear, but by no means strident, endorsement of pacifism and non-violence, as well as a reminder or warning (primarily to the German people of the late 1950s, when the novel was written) that neither complete forgiveness nor forgetfulness would be possible.But beyond that, I don't know what Boll's "message" might be, other than, perhaps, that the political affairs of humankind are inevitably a muddle and that what's important in life are family, especially children.Nonetheless, over the years various commentators and reviewers (some no doubt much more knowledgeable and astute than I) have derived from BILLIARDS a wide array of meanings and messages -- similar, again, to ULYSSES.

I really don't mean to imply that BILLIARDS stands on the same plane as ULYSSES, but it is much more readable and, as I said at the start, it deserves continuing readership. I hope to be able to read it again in another thirty years.

Pervasively amazing
Billiards at Half-Past Nine is an encompassing view of post-war Germany, both in the First World War and the Second. It chronicles the lives of the Faehmel family, and is quite challenging with its multitude of internal monologues. It only occurs in the span of one day, but this single day is enough.

We start with Robert Faehmel, a prosperous second-generation architect. We can already see in the beginning that he is not unlike a machine: his life is set like a clock. Every single day he works for only an hour, but there is little disparity, little uniqueness in his schedule. One could easily dismiss him as one who has an obsessive-compulsive disorder, but later on, one sees that this is only Robert's facade: he is trying to forgo of his guilt-laden and tragic past by offering himself no time to think about it.

This guilt-laden and tragic past comes from Nazism and Nazi Germany. Euphemized by Boll as 'the host of the Beast,' this is what mars the lives of the Faehmel family. The young ones who do not take this are battered and tortured, while those who do take it become strangers to even their own family. Robert did not take it, and he was whipped in the back with barbed wire, bloodied, and was to be executed if not for the help of friends. His brother took it, and such was the powerful psychological re-education of the Nazis that his brother was the one who told on his family - his brother was the one who wanted their family imprisoned. He became 'the husk of a child,' from the words of Robert's father, Heinrich.

The different lives of the Faehmel family are delved into with this book, and each one ofthem carries emotional and psychological scars from the past war. Some scars belong to Robert, who could never accept his country turning his back on him, some on his relatives, some on his friends, and in the end Boll reveals that no one got out of the wars unscathed. Not Germany. Especially not Germany.

Not one of Boll's best efforts, but still worth reading.
Heinrich Boll, Billiards at Half Past Nine (Signet, 1962)

Heinrich Boll was a brilliant mystery writer. Moreover, he was capable of writing mysteries unlike anything seen before, mysteries that turned the genre on its head. He was also capable of expanding the mystery genre so that it not only bordered on, but crossed over into, literary fiction. Unfortunately, at one point Boll allowed the mystery to slide into the background and started to concentrate on the literary side of things. This leads to the inevitable question for the reader: what does a mystery novel look like when the mystery is absent, or at least so far in the background as to be unnoticeable for most of the
novel?

Billiards at Half Past Nine is your answer. While there are elements of mystery within the novel, the focus is less on what's going on around the characters than the characters themselves. This is not, in itself, a bad thing; the characters upon whom the focus rests, all of whom are members of the Faehmel dynasty of architects, are interesting enough, and it would take conscious effort to make the first half of twentieth-century German history boring in any way. We are shown that period of time through the eyes of various members of the Faehmel family in a series of recollections leading up to Heinrich Faehmel's eightieth birthday party in 1958. And were that the basis of the novel, it would have been a good, solid piece of literature; ultimately forgettable, but good.

Boll felt the need to add something else to it, and it is there that the mystery comes into play. In the opening scenes, Heinrich's son Robert, the present scion of the Faehmel dynasty, tells his maid that, while he is playing Billiards at a local hotel, he is only to be disturbed by certain people. Most of them are family, or other members of his business; there is one name, though, that stands out, because no one knows who this Schrella character is, or why Robert Faehmel considers him on a plane of import with the others. This part of the book is where it is lacking; one gets the feeling that Boll felt it necessary to impart complications into a novel that doesn't require them.

While it's a worthwhile read within the context of Boll's complete works, it's not a place for a novice to begn an exploration of one of Germany's finest novelists. The Lost Honor of Katherina Blum and The Train Was on Time are much better jumping-off points. ** 1/2

Gripping panorama of German life
This work, in my opinion Boll's greatest, takes place duirng a single day in the life of Robert Faemel. He is an architect and ex-soldier who since WWII has turned inward, relying on routine to get him through the days. As the story unfolds, the reaader learns of the difficult and tragic events in his life that have led Robert to seek escape from the world, and ultimately gives hope that even these darknesses can be overcome.

Through his memories and those of his family, the book paints a remarkable panoramic picture of German life from ~1920 through 1960. The book really presents 3 generations of a German family and their experiences through this harrowing period. It shows both the dark side of postwar Germany, where many ex-Nazis had risen to positions of power and influence, as well as the lonely lights of human goodness and decency that remained throughout the dark period of the Nazis rise to power and the second world war.

As always, Boll's character's are expertly drawn and powerfully human. The storytelling can be difficult, requiring attention to keep up with the flashbacks and change in narrators. But it is absolutely worth the effort, as reading it will be a powerful experience that will stay with you. ... Read more

Product Description
Most pool and billiard experts would rather surrender thesecrets of their sex lives than share a useful tip or system. Thesebooks coaxed many such tips from a global source of experts. All onhow and why to get a cue ball from one place to another....acornucopia study book for years and years to come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Incredible!
This is an ultimate and indispensable guide to 3-cushion players. All four books of this series are full of precious formulas and tips many of which were secret to amateurs. Systematic and pin-pointed explanations and diagrams are incredible. This series should not stop here.

Bring in a physics professor
My boyfriend plays semi-pro pool. I have a college degree and an understanding of the basic fundamentals of pool. Between the two of us we could not make heads or tails or this book. This is not the place for anyone without a mathematics degree to look for help on improving their game.

Not for beginners
I would consider myself an advanced beginner. This book is definitely over my level of play. Unless you are close to an advanced player or have an instructor to help understand this book, I would not recommend it.

Rich at last.
A true goldmine for every billiard player.

I have'nt seen anything like this...
....in my ten years as an instructor, and 24 years as a player.These books will make a difference not only in 3-cushion, but all disciplines, and improve my own way of instruction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Nothing comes close
Johnny HolidayBetter known as John Deamato is the true master teacher of the game of Pocket Billiards. He saw The greatest Players the world will ever know.And he was a personal friend of Ralph Greenleaf the teacher of Willie Masconi. There are only three books on the game of Pocket Billiards that explain the truth and the author of all three is Johnny Holiday.Let no one tell you different.Johnny Holidays memory will live on forever.He is truly the unsung hero of the Game.In a world of Liars Cheats and Thiefs.He was the only true teacher of the Game.He told the truth and was never recognized for it.God bless Johnny Holiday. ... Read more

Product Description
The complement to ByrneÂ’s Standard Book of Pool and Billiards, this volume contains clear explanations and helpful diagrams for experienced players who wish to perfect their game. Illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

BYRNES ADVANCED TECHNIQUE IN POOL AND BILLIARDS
THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR YOU WHO ARE LOOKING AT GETTING BETTER AT POOL QUICK.[[AS IN:0156027216 Byrnes Complete Book of Pool Shots: 350 Moves Every Player Should Know]]

Byrne's Advanced Techniques......
I found the book useful, but not as revealing of new info as I had hoped.His basic book has much more useful info.

Byrne is excellent ... buy all his titles.
All of his works are excellent if you play pool for pleasure or have a very competitive approach.I was "fair" at playing pool -- primarily 8 Ball.Now, I'm known as "The King" because of applying the information in his books.

from a real player
If you wanna be a real player read byrne's books and gamble that's it

Should be Advanced 3-Cushion Billiards
This book contains very little information that will be of use to an 8 or 9-ball player and close to half of the book is spent discussing specific 3-Cushion shots.I bought this book for the defense section hoping to learn some more about that but again it related to 3-Cushion rather than anything for 8 or 9-ball.Since I don't know the first thing about 3-Cushion billiards, I can't say whether or not the information about that is good or not. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The best book to learn by
Willie Mosconi, of course, was the greatest pool player of all time.He won 15 world titles in 17 years, hold the high-run record, and when 7 years old almost defeated the then legendary Ralph Greenleaf.But could Willieteach all that knowledge and experience to mere mortals like us?

Theanswer is "Yes."He explains with clear pictires all thefundamentals about stance, grip, and aim.He also gives good advice aboutspeed of stroke and english.He provides initial strategic advice on howto play position and shot selection.He also has a nice selection ofmakeable trick shots at the end. My only criticism is the discussion ofbank shots, which can only be described as flat out wrong.I know that heknew how to shoot them, but the description and diagram he uses are not howits done.For that, I am ashamed to say, I had to consult"Minnesota" nee "New York" Fats's book.

Other,more advanced books (such as those by Robert Byrne) have built on the solidinformation Willie provides.But I know of no other book I would recommendso highly as this one for the beginning player. ... Read more

Product Description
Explains, in step-by-step fashion, every phase of billiards, from complete instruction for beginners to the finer points of combination and kiss shots, and finally, the championship game of 14.1 rack. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

good book
unfortunatly there is no real video of willie mosconi that I could find.
the insturction in this book is not overwhelming and informative. but you will want to go back and read this again when you get to be a better player.You may interpert the instruction differently.Great book.

Excellent Game Improver!
I have played pool off and on for years and never real got very good. Then I purchsed this book and my game changed dramatically. Instead of getting beat all the time I began beating them. Some of my friends have said that overnight I got better at pool. I must say I owe most of it to this book. One of the nice things about this book is you will be able to read the whole thing in an hour!

Willie Mosconi was the master pool player and one of the best to ever live so who better to take lessons from then the master himself. He starts out by showing you how to properly hold the cue stick. What a difference that makes. Then proper stance, making the bridge, stroke, cueing the ball, hitting the ball, english, combos, strategy, practice and more. This is a compact guide that can help anyone improve there game in as little as a couple games. There are also numerous illustrations included in this book to help you to visualize just how to make shots. Overall I would say this is a GREAT book on learning how to play pool.

An excellent introduction to the subject
When I went away to college in 1985, my girlfriend's father gave me a copy of the then-current edition of this book. I'd played a lot of pool before, but this book changed my game from mediocre to excellent, which is why I recently bought a new copy to give to a friend who is just learning the game. The tips on holding the cue stick alone made a difference in my game; when I spent the time to practice the other principles Mosconi discusses, I began to win more often than not, and could honestly say, "I meant to do that," when I'd just made a particularly difficult shot. The fact that the book is small enough to roll up and stick in your back pocket helps; you can whip it out whenever you need to review a particular concept. ... Read more

Product Description
A treasury of amazing shots, inside secrets, and favorite stories from the renowned pool and billiards writer-the perfect armchair companion for would-be pool sharks everywhere. Index; diagrams and photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Entertaining, informative and at times useful, too
Highly entertaining, and informative to boot, with plenty of tips you can use in your game.Anyone who already has Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and Byrne's Advanced should also get this, and his Treasury of Trick Shots book, as all four volumes regularly refer to (useful) information in each other.While this is MOSTLY a fun book about colorful characters, billiards history, tricks shots, and amusing stories, your casual, league and even tournament player can learn a few good pointers from the materials herein.
[...]

Byrnes another treasure
It's fun, informative and useful. I have several Byrne books and videos and I review them once in a while. I hesitated buying this in fear it was merely a revamping of old material. I found it used...and bought it anyway; I was so wrong, it's totally new and fresh and a great addition to my library. Byrne comes thru once again and shows why he's been inducted into the BCA hall of Fame.

A great piece of literature and "how to" book
Originally after I read Byrne's "Skyscraper" novel I thought he had absolutely no talent in placing words together, placing him in the moronic catagory, as well as a complete bore!But he swings and connects with this work! Bravo! ... Read more