McGoorty: A Pool Room Hustler

Gritty, salty, profane, picaresque true-to-life tale of besotted pool hustler Dan McGoorty who went from Depression-era hobo to talented but only occasionally respected three-cushion billiard crack shot. Always drunk, always broke, always hustling. Other than his skill at pool and billiards, there's nothing admirable about his life. But it's this very same every day execrable existence that makes this a page turner. McGoorty's voice is unique and unapologetic. His colorful slang and pitbull temperament details his life on the road and in pool halls from San Fran to Chitown, from bars to babes. If you're looking for a nostalgic, fun-loving avuncular remembrance of America in the good old days, this isn't your book. But if you're interested in a narrative of sullied, selfish survival in America from the Depression to post WWII, McGoor's your man.

This is the real life story of an almost great billiards player. It's a look into the past as told by a real person who seems to lay it all out on his deathbed. Robert Byrne, for the most part, simply relays McGoorty's words. This could be considered a tale of caution, don't be like this guy, don't throw away your life. My father, who made his own mistakes, loved this book when I lent it to him, and lent it to someone else - I may never see it again, but that's ok. This is the exact kind of book you want to lend out. I have never read a book like this one, it pulls few punches, you are going to feel sorry for McGoorty, maybe even cry - I don't know. But don't let that stop you from reading it.

This isn't "Rudy" Ruettiger and it's not an "inspirational" sports biography. You're not going to learn much about how to play billiards either. If you read this expecting some moral triumph, you are going to miss the point. McG was a sad, pathetic drunk who told truths, lies, half-truths about his failed career as a billaird player. This said, he had a real wit and a flair for pegging people. More than anything, this is a good Depression-era American period piece. It's also a look inside the mind of one candid, unscrupulous character. McG is a funny guy, a sad guy, a nice guy and a wicked guy. 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, give it a shot. But this book doesn't belong on the shelf with Byrne's instruction books, or really even with the other billiards biographies; it belongs next to the other volumes of the Library of Larceny: Ponzi, Liebling and Sutton.

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.

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.