From Library Journal
Shamos is an attorney, the curator of The Billiard Archive, and author of Pool (Mallard Pr., 1991). His Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards is a well-researched effort that explains the terminology and slang associated with billiards, pool, and other related games. Shamos documents his sources and makes extensive use of cross references, which are capitalized for easy identification. The definitions assume that the reader has some knowledge of basic billiards. This work is best suited for specialized sports collections, particularly those that emphasize billiards and pool. Historians of the game and others who read extensively in the literature will also want a copy. Most small libraries will prefer to pass this by in favor of a basic book on how to play the game. (Bibliography not seen.)-- Terry Madden, Boise State Univ. Lib., Id.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
This first-ever encyclopedia of billiards covers approximately 2,500 terms, abbreviations, and organizations related to billiards, pool, and snooker. Its author, a Pittsburgh attorney, is also curator of the Billiard Archive, described by the publisher as "the single largest collection of books and memorabilia about the game."
The alphabetically arranged entries run from one line to a few pages, though most are paragraph length. Some examples are breaking violation ("failure to comply with the special rules that apply to the opening break"), bridge ("the position of the hand in guiding the tip end of the cue stick," etc.), and ding ("a nick or dent in the shaft of the cue"). While individuals are mentioned throughout the work, there are no biographical entries. Such entries would surely be of interest, since people such as Willie Hoppe and Rudolf Wanderone (Minnesota Fats) are legendary. The entries in which they are mentioned are listed in an index of personal and city names that appears as an appendix. Addresses are included for most, but not all, organizations. The work includes more than 200 illustrations, including eight pages of colorplates. Another appendix lists the names of more than 400 billiard games.
Written especially for the billiards aficionado, this work should be acquired by public libraries, depending on local interest.
