McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler (Library of Larceny) [Paperback]

Robert Byrne (Author)

Book Description

Series: Library of Larceny | Publication Date: March 23, 2004

The Broadway Books Library of Larceny
Luc Sante, General Editor

McGoorty is master billiards writer Robert Byrne’s racy account of the life of Danny McGoorty, a billiards champion of that bygone era when cue artists were often scam artists and pool rooms were held to be dens of iniquity. Hustler and hobo, womanizer and fashion plate, McGoorty was at once eyewitness to Capone’s Chicago and the feats of greats like Willie Hoppe and Willie Mosconi. In an all-American voice at once sarcastic, profane, humorous, and chock full of colorful lingo, he relates his colorful and seedy life and times with a unique style and brio.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Pool hustler, hobo, alcoholic, ladies’ man, and tournament player . . . McGoorty was a Runyonesque character and a first-rate raconteur. The result is a memoir that should rack up many readers, even among those that don’t know a cue from a swizzle stick.” —Publishers Weekly

“At times funny, occasionally filthy, here and there exaggerated, but it’s an entertaining story of a guy who doesn’t try to pass himself off as any sort of giant at the table: just a fellow who loved the game.” —Willie Mosconi, nineteen-time World Straight Pool champion

From the Inside Flap

The Broadway Books Library of Larceny
Luc Sante, General Editor

McGoorty is master billiards writer Robert Byrne?s racy account of the life of Danny McGoorty, a billiards champion of that bygone era when cue artists were often scam artists and pool rooms were held to be dens of iniquity. Hustler and hobo, womanizer and fashion plate, McGoorty was at once eyewitness to Capone?s Chicago and the feats of greats like Willie Hoppe and Willie Mosconi. In an all-American voice at once sarcastic, profane, humorous, and chock full of colorful lingo, he relates his colorful and seedy life and times with a unique style and brio.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (March 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076791631X
• ISBN-13: 978-0767916318
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #388,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Billiards & Pool

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If vulgar doen't bother you, November 12, 2001

By 

Rick Jennings (Lebanon, Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler (Total/Sports Illustrated Classic Series) (Paperback)

This is another wonderfully written book by Robert Byrne. It shows the vivid life of a pool hustler/hobo/drunk/real person that was in his prime in the 1920's-1950's. If gives a real sense of McGoorty and his life in what apear to be his own words. He also shares extremely colorful insight, his opinion, into several famous and well known professional billiard players and World Champions of his era. It is full of real life experiences during those times; however, the language and crude tone are very vulgar. If you're not offended it is an enjoyable interesting read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential Americana, April 9, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler (Total/Sports Illustrated Classic Series) (Paperback)

McGoorty, billiards legend, tells all. Not quite on the same plateau as, for example, Mezz Mezzrow's 'Really the Blues', but definitely up there in the modest pantheon of books unafraid to celebrate lowbrow Americana in all its primal glory. McGoorty's glorious world of the 1920s and 30s is gone now, but thankfully we have a few books like this to remind us what it was like.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique read, July 11, 2001

By 

"littlespooncom" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler (Total/Sports Illustrated Classic Series) (Paperback)

Quick review: Very unique voice. Was a pleasure to read. Excellent Social Anthropological details contained within. Highly recommended. Made me want to learn 3 cushion.