Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

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Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi



Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

Ebook Download : Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

America’s greatest professional billiards player tells the story of his legendary life and career—from his days as a child prodigy to his record-breaking run of world championships Willie Mosconi’s father never wanted him to play billiards. At night, the boy would lie awake listening to the clatter of balls downstairs in the family pool hall, and when his father wasn’t around, he would climb onto an apple crate to practice his shots. When his dad started locking up the balls and cue, young Willie improvised with potatoes and a broom handle. By the time he was 7 years old, he was good enough to play against Ralph Greenleaf in a match billed as “The Child Prodigy vs. The World Champion.”   It was the start of a magnificent career that would include an unprecedented 15 world championships and the record for most consecutive balls run without a miss: 526. Nicknamed “Mr. Pocket Billiards,” Mosconi was instrumental in popularizing pool in America, serving as a consultant for iconic films such as The Hustler and The Color of Money and facing off against the famed hustler Minnesota Fats in 2 celebrated matches.   Cowritten with journalist Stanley Cohen, Willie’s Game is the colorful, captivating autobiography of an illustrious champion who lifted his sport to new heights and played by one simple rule: If you don’t miss, you don’t have to worry about anything else.

Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #936244 in eBooks
  • Published on: 2015-09-22
  • Released on: 2015-09-22
  • Format: Kindle eBook
Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

From Publishers Weekly Readers need not be pool players or even know the rudiments of the game to enjoy this autobiography. Born in 1913, the son of a Philadelphia pool-hall manager, Mosconi made his mark as a child prodigy at age six, then "retired," returning to the game in his teens when his parents became ill and he had to support the family. He went on to win 15 pool championships before retiring permanently in 1966; some of the many records he set still stand. Writing with Cohen ( A Magic Summer: The '69 Mets ), Mosconi makes pool's technical aspects comprehensible as he explains its jargon. His vivid evocation of the sport's furious competitiveness, the fantastic concentration required and the need to focus on one's game rather than on one's opponent makes it clear that pool is as demanding as boxing or pro football--even though the top-flight contestants play in tuxedos. Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal Pool, or billiards, is enjoying a yuppie-induced renaissance of late. Mosconi, the record 15-time world champion player/legend, played from the 1930s to his retirement in the late 1970s. Noted for his speedy shooting style and his professional manner, Mosconi here provides a fascinating glimpse of his 50 years in the subculture's circuits and venues. His reminiscences of colorful legends of the game, like Ralph Greenleaf and the inimitable Minnesota Fats, are especially noteworthy, while his account of his early years growing up in Philadelphia, the grind of the road, wartime service, and health troubles convey aspects of the human predicament. The biggest problem for general readers will be the numerous play-by-play accounts of memorable games. Unless one is already versed in the rules, scoring, and so forth, these passages quickly become tiresome. While not a necessary purchase for most libraries, the book's overall entertainment and historical value are high. Purchase where sports books are heavily circulated.- David M Turkalo, Social Law Lib. , BostonCopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews Likable, well-told autobiography of the world's greatest pocket billiards player, full of superb billiard lore and tales of giants of the cue. Even those who have never played pool will enjoy this engaging story of a Philadelphia billiards prodigy who was playing for stakes at age six and who, a year later, challenged (but lost to) then-World Champion Ralph Greenleaf. Mosconi (writing here with Cohen, A Magic Summer, 1988, etc.) heard billiard balls clicking in earliest childhood, the sound coming from tables in his father's pool hall below the boy's bedroom, and at age five began playing while standing on a box. Though his father tried to deny him access to the tables, Mosconi unveiled a talent so great that his stunned dad began showing the kid off in matches at his and other pool halls. At age seven, Mosconi defeated ten-year-old Juvenile Champion Ruth McGinnis, and, when he turned ten himself, retired undefeated. When the Depression hit, Mosconi reentered the sport for prize money, soon learning that tournament masters had an analytic sense of the game far superior to that of pool hustlers out to con inferior players. Mosconi himself never hustled--though, as a joke, Toots Shor once brought him in to beat braggart Jackie Gleason, who didn't know Mosconi by sight. The author commended Gleason to director Robert Rossen to play Minnesota Fats in The Hustler, for which Mosconi acted as technical adviser and as Paul Newman's trainer. Many legendary games are replayed here as Mosconi shows--quite modestly--how his fast, nervous style won the World Championship 15 times and at last crushed the real-life Minnesota Fats on TV's Wide World of Sports. You're on the green felt, kissing a solid-colored ball into a side pocket and stopping on a dime, positioned perfectly for the next ball. Marvelous. (Photographs--not seen) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

Where to Download Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

Most helpful customer reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A fun and informative look at one of pool's greatest players By A Customer Willie's Game chronicles the life of Willie Mosconi, one of the greatest pool players in the history of the game. That in itself makes it a necessary edition to a billiard enthusiast's bookcase, but those interested in sports, competition, and prodigies will enjoy it too.From learning to play by hitting potatoes around on the pool table, to winning tournaments for big money, to setting the world record for the most balls run (526), Mosconi did it all. He talks a lot in his autobiography about what makes a good player, and about the difference between an apt technician and a champion.As you'd expect, the personalities are colorful, especially when set against the background of early twentieth century America. Mosconi doesn't mince words about his impressions of and experiences with other pool notables. There's a lot of valuable pool history and anecdotes here.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Awesome Insight into Mosconi By J. Hendrickson Outstanding book that gives you a look at one of the greatest champions of pool of all time. Very well written with Stanley Cohen (written many sports books). Cohen uses an unusal writing style, letting Mosconi speak in his own words and then uses seperate interviews or other historical research to add to his story.Very well written and an easy read.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good read about a sports icon By Joey This was an interesting read about a very interesting man. Well written, with views from Mosconi's perspective, as well as those who knew him and excellent information from the author too. Anyone who has an interest in pocket billiards (Mr. Mosconi hated the term "pool" because he felt it referred to the seedier aspect of the game's roots, as you can learn in this book) beyond the occasional game in a bar will definitely enjoy this book.

See all 7 customer reviews... Willie's Game: An Autobiography, by Stanley Cohen, Willie Mosconi

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