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Books Related to Black Farce and Cue Ball Wizards Clive Everton - ISBN: 1845961994
A comprehensive guide on the history of British Snooker - Rated
For me this is a book of two halfs. Even though the book goes in chronological order, the things that Clive Everton focus change halfway through the book. The first part looks at more of how the snooker tournaments were set up and more importantly on the snooker players which is very interesting. But after that when he reaches the late 80's and early 90's he sort of forgets the players and tournaments and concentrates on how the game of snooker was run behind the scenes. You can understand why Clive Everton focuses on the snooker bosses as he was treated badly by them as was the game itself. However, the parts where he does this are quite heavy and unless you truly love snooker you won't get much out of them. Overall though this is a good book but if you want a book that focuses on the players and is easier to read I recomend Masters of the Baize by Luke williams and Paul Gadsby.
Warts and all analysis from a genuine enthusiast - Rated
Like many people I remember the TV golden age of snooker in the 1980s, when the game was more memorable for its cast of characters (such as Higgins, Werbeniuk, White, even 'interesting' Steve Davis)than its overall quality. Nowadays the game is peopled by pale automatons riding on the back of this heyday, who may make more centuries, but simply aren't as fascinating (Ronnie O'Sullivan excepted.) In this book, Clive Everton dissects the history and politics of snooker with relentless tenacity. The central section of the book goes into great detail about the political intrigues that presided over snooker's rise and fall, pulling no punches along the way. It really is 'warts and all', unsparing in its treatment of key administrators such as Geoff Foulds and Rex Williams. It is very eloquently written and the best sections are those concerned with getting to the haert of problematic figures like Alex Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan. Everton's look at the latter in particular is a brilliant mixture of sympathy and criticism. Underpinning it all is the author's love of the game, and his concern for its well-being. I've always thought of him as a first-rate commentator and through this book he deserves his reputation as the foremost authority on this popular sport.
