13.1 Books
Description
This article is from the Pool & Billiards FAQ, by Bob Jewett with numerous contributions by others.
13.1 Books
A good web search site for both new and used books is the
meta-site http://used.addall.com/ which searches a lot of book
stores and other sites. See also http://www.amazon.com which has
some reviews and http://www.bn.com for Barnes&Noble's on-line
store.
Billiards -- The Official Rules and Records Book. ISSN 1047-244
Published annually by the Billiard Congress of America. Rules for 32
games -- carom, pocket billiards and snooker. Lists world's
championships and records. Instructional section. Specs on official
playing equipment. Approx. 170 pp/5-1/2x8-1/2. Available from
mail-order suppliers, some bookstores, and the BCA. About $7 list.
"The 99 critical shots in Pool", written by Ray Martin. ISBN
0-8129-2241-7, suggested retail price is US$ 14.00 (Canada: $19.50) (It
starts out assuming you know nothing about pool, and by the end of the
book (if you work through all the shots presented, you will become a
VERY good player.))
"Standard Book of Pool and Billiards," by Robert Byrne. $16.95. ISBN
0-15-614972-9 (This is a detailed description of some of the more
complex aspects of the game, including English, spin, and throw.
Includes rules and strategy for several games, including at least a
hundred diagrams of three-cushion billiard shots). This has been superceded
by "Byrne's New Standard Book."
"Mastering Pool," by George Fels. $12.95. ISBN 0-8092-7895-2 (Warmly
recommended to straight pool players)
"Advanced Technique in Pool and Billiards," by Robert Byrne, Harcourt
Brace Jovanovich publishers, ISBN 0-15-614971-0. $16.95 (A collection
of Byrne's articles from Billiards Digest, revised and updated. It
includes sections on pool, billiards, and sidelights of the various cue
sports.)
"Byrne's Treasury of Trick Shots in Pool and Billiards," by Robert Byrne
(Trick and fancy shots from the last 200 years, documented and
explained.)
"The Science of Pocket Billiards," by Jack H. Koehler. $22.95
paperback, $26.95 hardcover. (Has a good double-elimination tournament
format description)
"Winning One-pocket," edited by Eddie Robin. (Lots of shots, breaks,
moves, an entire chapter devoted to banking systems and methods.)
This is now only available as a used book and appears on eBay from
time to time.
"Upscale One Pocket," by Jack Koehler, the author of "The Science
of Pocket Billiards." Order from: Sportology Publications, 25832
Evergreen Road, Laguna Hills, Ca 92653. Cost is $14.95 plus $3
shipping. Recommended by Bob Campbell.
"New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards" by Mike Shamos. Almost
certainly the most thoroughly researched book on the terminology and
history of cue sports ever written. Over 2000 words and terms
defined, with over two hundred illustrations. ISBN 1558217975
"The Physics of Pocket Billiards" by Wayland C. Marlow, Marlow
Advanced Systems Technologies, January 1996, 0-9645370-0-1, 291 pages,
illustrated, paper, 6x9, $36.00 Trade. This book begins with a
chapter on fundamentals, which covers, on an introductory level,
topics that are treated in detail later on in the book. These subjects
include break shots, friction, the masse shot, banks, combinations,
and more. An appendix on equipment specifications collects the many
values of various material properties for the relevant equipment.
"Play Your Best Pool" by Phil Capelle, 1995, self published, Billiards
Press, P.O. Box 400, Midway City, CA, 92655, 714-894-1157. Includes a
section on just about every shot you're ever going to see on the pool
table. 442 pp., over 400 illustrations.
General mail-order suppliers
Mueller's Sporting Goods
Lincoln, Nebraska
1-800-627-8888
1-402-423-8888 (Can't use the 800 number in Europe)
1-402-423-5964 FAX
Web: http://www.mueller-sporting-goods.com/
The Billiard Library
1570 Seabright Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90813
1-800-245-5542 or 310-437-5413
1-310-436-8817 FAX
http://www.billiardlibrary.com
Saunier-Wilhem Company http://www.swcbilliards.com/
3216 5th Avenue 1605 Center Point Road 2707 S. Elm-Eugene
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Birmingham, AL 35215 Greensboro, NC
(412) 621-4350 (919) 272-3412 (919) 272-3412
Billiard Fanatic, 1-800-910-4437, free catalog. Their web page is
at http://www.billiardfanatic.com/ Prices generally quite low.
Video tapes of matches in nine ball, straight pool, three cushion,
"fluke" shots, some instructional tapes: accu-stats@worldnet.att.net
Web: http://www.accu-stats.com
Continue to:
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