What books and videos are in your pool library?

Question

Which would you recommend? Are there any that you'd tell people not to waste money on? I'm thinking instructional books and videos as well as novels and movies.

p.s. My recommendations are Bert Kinister tapes and the novels "The Hustler" and "The Color of Money" (I already know everybody's seen the movies :) )...anybody besides Straight read the books?

Answer 1

Have several of Kinister's tapes....highly recommend the 60 Minute Workout and the Advanced 60 Minute Workout....his "Banking Tapes" and "Deflection Tape has helped some....still have not made to being on TV though!

Answer 2

Have some fun with Fat's     The Bank Shot And Other Robberies

Luck

K

Answer 3

We'd be here all day if I gave you a complete list of everything.  I've been collecting for a few years now.  Yes, I agree that the Walter Tevis novels are very good reading.  If you're into fiction, Robert Bryne's novel "McGoorty" is worth a look.  Also for some entertaining reading, "Hustler Days" by R.A. Dyer is fun.  It follows the stories of Fats, Jersey Red, and I think Wimpy Lassiter.  Dyer has a book coming out next month called "The Hustler and the Champ" which compares and contrasts the lives of Fats and Mosconi and the times when their paths crossed.  I've been drooling over this one for years.

As far as intructional reading is concerned, anything by George Fels, Robert Byrne, or Phil Capelle is going to have some good information.  Some other good reads include "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pool & Billiards" by Ewa Laurence, "Steve Mizerak's Complete Guide to Pool", "The 99 Critical Shots in Pool" by Ray Martin, and "The Straight Pool Bible" by Babe Cranfield.  What I wouldn't waste my time on is reading anything by Dr. David Alciatore or Tom Ross in their Billiards Digest columns.  

If you haven't seen them already, some fun pool movies aside from the ones based on Tevis novels, include "Poolhall Junkies", "Stickmen", "The Baltimore Bullet", and "Shooting Gallery".

For instructional videos, I would recommend you take a look at Jerry Briesath's video "How to Play Pool Right".  It is the official training video of the BCA and despite a few points that I don't completely agree with, it's a very good video.  Mike Sigel has a bunch of videos available which I enjoy.  The worst instructional video that I've seen is one called "Billiard Basics" hosted by a guy from Chicago who calls himself Thomas Crown.  It's just full of misinformation and poor advice.  "How to Play Pool" starring Minnesota Fats isn't quite as bad.  In fact, he gives some good advice regarding chalking your tip and a few other things.  Still, Fats is still something of a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of teacher.  Not really worth your time.  There was a whole series of videos produced in the early 90's I think, that featured a combination of Steve Mizerak, Johnny Archer, and Ewa Laurence and they were all pretty good.

Aside from a few bad eggs, Billiards Digest is usually full of interesting articles and always entertaining.  I've got about 3 years of the magazine in my bureau.  BD and I started the same year, also the same year Fats and Mosconi had their famous Wide World of Sports match up.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 4

lol, I thought you were asking which books were at the local library. The only piece of material I actually own is an old VHS by Fast Eddie Parker. It's a pretty good introduction to basic mechanics and shot technique. It also has a pretty good description of aiming 2, 3, 4, and 5 rail kick shots.

They do have a decent selection at the local library though. I'd recommend looking there first to anyone looking for somewhere to get started.

I also recommend the "8 Ball Bible" to any league bar table players. It has a lot of strategy advice and shot examples that could help out mediocre league players a lot.

Answer 5

I have the 99 crital shots of ray martain very good book but I  realy like the bert kinser tapes every time I  revew some of them I get re movated he is a grate insturctor and movater in my openion

Answer 6

I only have one of Capelle's books and I think he has a good approach to the game.

For trick shots, I like Mike Massey's World of Trick Shots but would stay away from Byrne's book unless it's just to get ideas.  Chef Anton's Pool Hustler's Handbook can be useful for those bar bets and if you're just looking for some quick money or free drinks.

I'd have to wholeheartedly recommend Banking With The Beard by Freddy "The Beard" Bentivegna.  Lots of good stories to go along with great instruction.  I haven't read Freddy's new GosPool book, but I'd definitely like to.

Answer 7

I have a lot of books in my library, Most of them are about painting though, instructions on how to, I have many books that show all the painters on Earth, and most of their works, and history of them.

For dummies I have Widows xp!, and many pc instruction books!.  

As far as videos, well I have a lot of movies including the

color of money!, and many adventure movies!, including true lies!, one of my faves!.

I have a lot of those videos with naked girls in them, for painting purposes!??.

Many magazines, some chess books,

I have google earth on my computer, so I can visit the states if I want to!, I get myself in the middle of Chicago, and then drive by all the bars, pool halls I ever use to go in!, I pass by my house, where I used to live, pass by friends houses,

get off that!, after a while, and get ready!.

I may go into the big city of about 25000, and maybe play some pool, or bowl a couple of games!,

You know what, I don't even have my stick here, but I can probably beat anyone here left handed.

All my stuff is back in Chicago, and this answer probably sucks, but it is not intended to take away from the  seriousness of anyone's answer!, or insult anybody, but that's the books I have in my library!, Which as you can see, have nothing to do with pool, and I doubt if there is a book in this little city of 25000, that has a book about pool.

I do have You tube, and all kinds of websites I can go into, to see all the pool that I need to, or watch the best of trick shots!,

My library is at the end of my mouse!....

I do have to say that they are playing pool here, good or bad!..

I wish I was at turtle creek??, instead of here though!,

Answer 8

ib you pu a libraury in your pool the books would get to soggy to read and they would be ruined. a waste of good books