McGoorty : A Pool Room Hustler

Rating:
Summary: you must have a sense of humor to enjoy this...
Review: ...if you don't have one, like our friend Johnny H, you will miss the point. McGoorty told truths, lies, half-truths. Guess what, so does everyone who's ever written a memoir. The less you think about what's fact and what's self-aggrandizement the more you will enjoy. McG (with Byrne's help) has a real wit and a flair for pegging people and places. He has an eye for the "telling detail," especially the humiliating ones. That's what makes this book a good period piece. What makes it more than that is McG himself. He's a funny guy, a sad guy, a nice guy and a wicked guy. And he justifies everything he did. He's more human and more candid than you and I will ever be. Even when he lies he's sincere. If you ever knew a bum, drunk or poolroom hustler you liked and hated at the same time, there's part of you that will be warmed by this.



Rating:
Summary: The tale of a life wasted
Review: Danny McGoorty was a gifted pool and billiards player. He was also a lazy, drunk petty thief. He spent his life trying his best to avoid honest work. He took as much as he could get from everyone that crossed his path without ever giving anything back. He died bitter and broke.

There, now you don't need to read the book.



Rating:
Summary: McGoorty
Review: I can't imagine anyone wanting to write a book about this man.He was nothing but a vulgar,lazy,lying alcoholic.Half of the things that he says are nothing but B.S.For instance,Chicago police officers murdering suspected gangsters @ black men for 200$ a pop.I could go on @ on but you should get the idea.Save your money.As for me, I am going to line my cats litter box with my copy.

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Summary: Booze, Broads and Billiards
Review: I had a feeling that I would enjoy this book and I was right. I was unable to put this book down. This is now my all time favorite. A fascinating true story about the life of Dan McGoorty that I am glad was able to live on in print. Whether you are into pool or not, you will find this colorful story quite interesting.

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Summary: Essential Americana
Review: 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.

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Summary: A unique read
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Pool's Fool
Review: This book is one of the few biograghy's i've read that had a true voice of the subject. Gritty, smutty, vulgar and incitful.It tells the tale of the wayward life led by one of this country's greatest pool and billiards players, witten from audiotapes by Robert Byrne, Mcgoorty comes to life.

Rating:
Summary: If vulgar doen't bother you
Review: 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.