12-24-2002, 08:35 AM
Well.. I have mixed feelings about this book.
It seems to me that the monk is very worried about his image as a writer on the subject of billiards, as he has never won a world championship. It comes through in his writing, and this book almost made me feel BAD for playing pool, and even worse if I gamble.. although he says that gambling is a good way to improve, if you gamble with a friend.
I did get alot of good things out of the book, alot of stuff I was already figuring out though intense practice sessions at my living room table, but nonetheless, some of the things validated what I already was thinking. There is a good section on becoming a "monk" that is worth reading I suppose.
My overall opinion of this book is not real good. For one, I don't come to a tournament "just to win" but to play a good game, be courteous.. (or try to) and generally have fun. He says in his book that you should not be concerned with results, and that to do so will bring your game down, yet the title of his book is "I came to win" which would assume that he's concerned very much with results. Results, to me, happen when you put in your best effort, not when you come to a tournament expecting something.
Anyhow, read this book, however I would advise taking what you think you enjoy out of the book, and leave the rest. I think there are alot of opinions in the book that need not be there, since they have no place in the mind of those like me, who just enjoy the game.
It seems to me that the monk is very worried about his image as a writer on the subject of billiards, as he has never won a world championship. It comes through in his writing, and this book almost made me feel BAD for playing pool, and even worse if I gamble.. although he says that gambling is a good way to improve, if you gamble with a friend.
I did get alot of good things out of the book, alot of stuff I was already figuring out though intense practice sessions at my living room table, but nonetheless, some of the things validated what I already was thinking. There is a good section on becoming a "monk" that is worth reading I suppose.
My overall opinion of this book is not real good. For one, I don't come to a tournament "just to win" but to play a good game, be courteous.. (or try to) and generally have fun. He says in his book that you should not be concerned with results, and that to do so will bring your game down, yet the title of his book is "I came to win" which would assume that he's concerned very much with results. Results, to me, happen when you put in your best effort, not when you come to a tournament expecting something.
Anyhow, read this book, however I would advise taking what you think you enjoy out of the book, and leave the rest. I think there are alot of opinions in the book that need not be there, since they have no place in the mind of those like me, who just enjoy the game.