From Library Journal
This work by Shamos (The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards, LJ 11/1/93) and sports photographer Bennett is less a how-to text than a photo album replete with over 100 polished images of pool halls and the people who frequent them. These are not the sort of scenes a reader steeped in stereotypes might expect. In contrast to seedy tavern-type hangouts, we see ornate halls in which stylish proprietors and players ply their trade. These halls are indicative of the growing number of upscale settings nationwide, as the men's and women's tours gain popularity and further exposure. They also are the kinds of places where a patron might expect to find a showcase item like this lying about. Recommended for complete collections.AWilliam H. Hoffman, Ft. Myers-Lee Cty. P.L., FL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From the Inside Flap
Until the 1990s, pool wore its less-than-savory reputation like a badge of honor, a sport for men who were serious about their cigarettes, their liquor, and their betting odds. It was a world populated with characters--many of them colorful, some of them even likable. In today's nicely appointed, family-oriented settings, the game seems more a pastime than a passion. Don't be fooled.
Today, the classic smoke-filled halls are vanishing, and fashionable upscale establishments are popping up across the country to accommodate the more than 30 million Americans who are playing the game. The professional circuit, covered nightly by ESPN-TV, is attracting richer purses and bigger crowds than ever. Even pool paraphernalia is hot: Cue sticks have become prized collectibles and pool table sales are soaring.
Shooting Pool is an evocative, admiring photographic record of this fascinating game. In atmospheric black-and-white and color photographs, sports photographer George Bennett and pool expert Mike Shamos profile the infamous hustlers at the fringes of the game, the new crop of captivating stars on the men's tour, and the magnetic women players who dominate today's scene. Here are some of the best players in the world, from glamorous Jeanette Lee (aka the "Black Widow") to Earl Strickland and Steve Mizerak, who helped usher in pool's renaissance. Master instructors such as Fran Crimi share their secrets, and the artisans and entrepreneurs who are taking the sport to the next level are captured in sharp detail.
It's the story of pool today, and it's brilliantly told in Shooting Pool.
