Product Description
This book details the early form of the game of billiards, describing the tables and accessories, from its vague beginnings to the present day, when the more recent game of snooker has largely displaced billiards from the position it occupied for at least five hundred ears as the 'Noble Game'. Reference is made to the early form of billiards - played out doors on the ground, and the distant links with such games as croquet and paille maille - and the two quite different disciplines of the game which have developed. The history of the game is charted from its primitive form with a wooden bed, surrounded by a plain wooden rim to prevent the balls falling on the floor, to the present day. The various types of balls and billiard table lighting are dealt with and there is a section on unusual billiard tables of the past, some of the circular, oval or even octagonal. The author shows that this is a game with a fascinating history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Hillbilly Jim-Bob says poor work!
Yee-ha!The ol' US of A haws bin slammed aw saih-a!Makes'n ol' hillbilla luk me real sick aw saih!Sick as a ol' yellabella dawg!Aw saih-a!Yee-haw!Yessuh!The good ol' US of A wull not buh slammed lukthawt aw saih, suh!A brain-dead hick lawk me, suh, sez so and aw wudknow, suh!The US of A is a GREAT and GLORIOUS nation!We aw NOT a bunchagun-totin' mo-rons I say suh!We is not aw buncha brain-dead hicks, suh! No suh!Wuh stamped out the commies ina GOOD 'n WHOLESOME *AMERICAWN* waysuh!Hillbilly Jim-Bob sez so!Un if'n you don't believe me, well suhI'll jus' hav'n ta blow yer dang fool head off I will suh!Yee-hawwwww! USA!USA!USA!

Rascist Swine
I don't know where this author gets his ideas.Where does he come off calling the South Vietnemese "Snookers? "They were our allies for crying out loud!Without their help, Communism would today be runningrampant throughout our glorious nation, and we would all be atheists!Thisman should try living in a VietCong death camp for four years, 3 months, 6days -- and then critize the US! ... Read more

Product Description
D. F. Whipple's second novel Snooker Glen is set in rural Kentucky against the backdrop of a community's division over a mine strike and the contentious issues surrounding immigration and mine safety. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

An Essential Read
D.F. Whipple has demonstrated once again that not only is he an impeccable eyewitness of the human condition, that not only is he an accomplished author deserving of great merit, and that not only can he compose a craftily arranged story of wide, multi-faceted themes, but he can do it all with a subtle grace that belies the great intensity broiling beneath the depths of his work.

I must admit, as a high school student greatly interested in the literary arts, I am left with a feeling hardly assessable after reading a Whipple book. The characters, ideas; the tale itself seems unable to lie contently within the pages that Whipple has so masterfully filled. There is not a word that appears haphazardly thrown in or written in as "padding". The characters lives don't end by the time one has read through to the back cover. Nor were they started on the first page; instead one gets the feeling that we are merely the observers of these people's lives who we can only begin to grasp. As in his previous novel, the story is never brought to a conclusive end. This comes not through any lack of lucidity on the author's part: no, indeed this arises more to the fact that what Whipple has constructed within the three-hundred odd pages is a large, allegorical mirror upon which we are to view ourselves.

Yes, there are the more universal themes here dealing with immigration that never fall to bland assumptions, conclusions, or otherwise clichéd and stereotyped ends. However, where some readers may not connect to such global themes (which remains unlikely - Whipple allows no connection, large or small, communal or individual to remain insignificant; we as readers are shown the impact of our moral obligations through his characters on a both a restricted and wide scale) he sticks to situations on which we all can connect: what mother has not fretted over the well-being of her own children? When have people not been incited to anger when an outside threat closes in?

It is interesting to note, though, that the truth becomes most clear in the character's greatest struggles. These "scenes" - if you will - usually involve an almost dream-like, hallucinatory sequence of events. It appears that Whipple is trying to tell us that we (as human creatures) have known the truth all along but do not reach realization until our doubts, our self-imposed trials, choke out all other knowns and only the ultimatum - that thing which we so try to ignore - becomes clear even (or especially) as all else falls apart.

Any of those who have read Whipple's first novel, Shadow Fields, will recognize such masterful tactics. You will not be disappointed with this great selection; not only does it display a wide range of interests (the setting is almost completely removed from the large corporations dominating his early novel) but it also documents a maturing style of this author who so far has only demonstrated genuine enthusiasm and skill for his art. Not to discredit his early work by any means, but I left this one feeling more satisfied with the depth with which he explored his world. If any of you are to recall my previous review, you would find this to be a nit-pick of mine (I wouldn't call it a complaint, I enjoyed that book far too much to have a complaint). This time around, however, I left a very satisfied, very thoughtful reader.

And I left, perhaps, just a little bit more interested and compassionate about my fellow man. When a book can do that to you, you most certainly know you have something a little bit more than a "fireside read" on your hands.

I highly recommend this book to any and all interested. I even recommend it to any who may not be interested; you will be surprised at how easily you will slip into the world of Snooker Glen and how very hard it is toleave it.

Snooker Glen
Wonderfully written book. DF Whipple is great at describing the social and economic environment through his characters. Also, DF Whipple uses humor throughout the book to keep your attention. Issue of illegal immigration is presented in the book, with much thought to the affect in a community held hostage by one employer.

A Timely , Important Topic-a Well-told Story
We live in a world in which major media channels are
tightly controlled. This is especially true of
broadcast media and films, in which the major decision
making rests in rather few unelected hands. The big
exception is books-and for most people, books mean
novels. Until a topic is discussed in novels, it
simply isn't going to get broad exposure in US
culture.

Many folks need something with a story to start to
grasp an issue that isn't part of the "common sense"
of popular culture. Snooker Glen joins Fast Food
Nation as one the first books to seriously look at the
range of issues raised by mass immigration.

Snooker Glen takes the issue to a time upon which
many Americans have a bit of perspective of-and a
community that represents something that a lot of
America used tobe a lot more like: town with a
strong sense of community and family wage union jobs.

The immigrants in Snooker Glen are more like the
original residents there than many other Americans
today (both groups are largely Protestant from
Northwestern Europe). Snooker Glen focuses not on the
issues of culture and language, but the effects of
immigration on economics, working conditions and the
disruption of an established community of people
who can't easily find another home like the one they
are in.

As a piece of literature, Snooker Glen deals with
things like the security ramifications of immigration
without coming off like a conspiracy theory. The basic
premise of the novel isasking how someone inthe
American of the 1950's might view some major events of
the last 55 years if they could get a glimmer of the
future.Snooker Glen raises especially important
issues dropped from the contemporary political
debate-and does so in a way that folks from a wide
range of political perspectives might find thought
provoking and entertaining.

Taken away to Snooker Glen
I was taken away to Snooker Glen, Kentucky on the first page.At first, I thought it was a "light read", basically a book I could shut my brain off and get carried away.Well, carried away I was --- with an extraordinary plot and imaginative characters (all of whom I can say I met personally once or twice).I recommended the book to a few ladies at my church because it portrays a vivid and lively, and quite accurate account of a Southern woman and her family.Snooker Glen is a perfect book for a book club or discussion group - with so many issues intertwined.The author applies the concept of Biblical Esther to the way we live now, in a world threatened by bureaucracy and divided by language, aristocracy, money and religion.

Very Enjoyable Read
Whipple has crafted a very unique book where the "common-folk" systematically deconstruct the stilted, open border arguments of coastal commentators. In a din of otherwise half-hearted, and self-promoting, intellectualism, Snooker Glen is an irreverant, timely and thought provoking commentary on the immigration debate.In lesser hands, a novel on immigration could be heavy handed or angry.Whipple had the foresight to infuse the novel with a refreshing wit, rich characters and stunning logic. Some of the more vocal advocates for open borders may want to change their tone, volume and vocation;Whipple has reduced their arguments to ashes. ... Read more

Product Description
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Product Description
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Product Description
Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: 2004 in Snooker, 2004 World Snooker Championship, 2004 Welsh Open, Snooker World Rankings 2004/2005, Snooker World Rankings 2003/2004, 2004 Premier League Snooker, Snooker Season 2003/2004, Snooker Season 2004/2005, 2004 Mosconi Cup. Excerpt: The 2004 World Snooker Championship (also known as the 2004 Embassy World Championship for sponsorship purposes) took place between the 17 April and 3 May 2004 at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. Mark Williams looked to defend his world title which he won in 2003, but the final winner was Ronnie O'Sullivan, beating Graeme Dott by 18 frames to 8 (the fourth biggest margin in a final, equalled by O'Sullivan against Ali Carter in 2008) in the final despite Dott having led 5-0. Notable moments from the championship include: Winner £250,000 Runner-up £125,000 Highest TV Break £17,600 Maximum TV Break £147,000 There were 56 centuries in this year's championship. * Chris Small Forced to concede through injury The matches were played at Pontin's, Prestatyn Sands in between 10-20 February 2004. 1st Round (Best of 19 frames) Brian Salmon 10-9 Chris Melling Ian Preece 10-8 Justin Astley Mike Hallett 10-6 James Leadbetter Mehmet Husnu 10-2 Craig MacGillivray Joe Delaney 10-6 Rodney Goggins Adrian Rosa 10-6 Steve James Adam Davies 10-8 David Hall 2nd Round (Best of 19 frames) Tom Ford 10-8 Martin Gould Craig Butler 10-9 Brian Salmon Luke Simmonds 10-8 Matthew Couch Ian Preece 10-0 Joe Johnson Lee Walker 10-6 Mike Hallett Gary Thomson 10-2 Luke Fisher Peter Lines 10-4 Ian Brumby David Gilbert 10-6 Michael Wild Rory McLeod 10-7 Mehmet Husnu Jason Prince 10-6 Darryn Walker Joe Delaney 10-4 Andrew Higginson Neil Robertson 10-8 Martin Dziewialtowski Simon Bedford 10-5 Ian Sargeant Liu Song 10-5 Wayne Brown Leo Fernandez... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=4841162 ... Read more

Product Description
Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Championnat Du Monde de Snooker 2009, Championnats D'europe de Gymnastique Artistique Masculine 2010, Championnats Du Monde de Gymnastique Artistique 2009, Championnats D'europe de Gymnastique Artistique Féminine 2010, Championnat Du Monde de Hockey Sur Glace 1937, Championnat Du Monde de Hockey Sur Glace 1950, Championnats Du Monde D'aviron 2006, Grand Prix Moto de Grande-Bretagne, Championnats D'europe D'athlétisme En Salle 2007, Championnats D'europe Junior D'athlétisme 1987, Championnats Du Monde de Descente 1981, Championnats Du Monde de Descente 1995, Coupe D'europe Des Nations D'athlétisme 1973, Championnats Du Monde de Marathon 2001, Championnats D'europe de Judo 1995, Championnats Du Monde de Gymnastique Artistique 1993, Finale Du Grand Prix Iaaf 1993, Championnats Du Monde de Cyclisme Sur Route 1982, Jeux de L'empire Britannique de 1934, Championnats Du Monde de Cross-Country 1983, Championnats Du Monde de Cyclisme Sur Route 1970, Championnats D'europe de Gymnastique Artistique Féminine 1973, Jeux Du Commonwealth de 2002, Championnats Du Monde de Semi-Marathon 2009, Championnats Du Monde de Cross-Country 1976, Championnats Du Monde de Cyclisme Sur Route 1922, Championnats Du Monde D'escrime 1956, Championnat Du Monde de Kayak-Polo 1994. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : Le championnat du monde de snooker 2009 a eu lieu du 18 avril au 4 mai au Crucible Theatre, à Sheffield. Le championnat est sponsorisé pour la première fois par Betfred.com, après que 888.com eut retiré leur sponsor négocié en août 2008. Voici ci-dessous les résultats pour chaque tour. Le nombre entre parenthèses devant chaque joueur représente le classement obtenu par le joueur (chaque championnat possède 16 têtes de s...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

Product Description
Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Championnat Du Monde de Snooker 2009, Championnats D'europe de Gymnastique Artistique Masculine 2010, Championnats Du Monde de Gymnastique Artistique 2009, Championnats D'europe de Gymnastique Artistique Féminine 2010, Championnat Du Monde de Hockey Sur Glace 1937, Championnat Du Monde de Hockey Sur Glace 1950, Championnats Du Monde D'aviron 2006, Grand Prix Moto de Grande-Bretagne, Championnats D'europe D'athlétisme En Salle 2007, Championnats D'europe Junior D'athlétisme 1987, Championnats Du Monde de Descente 1981, Championnats Du Monde de Descente 1995, Coupe D'europe Des Nations D'athlétisme 1973, Championnats Du Monde de Marathon 2001, Championnats D'europe de Judo 1995, Championnats Du Monde de Gymnastique Artistique 1993, Finale Du Grand Prix Iaaf 1993, Championnats Du Monde de Cyclisme Sur Route 1982, Jeux de L'empire Britannique de 1934, Championnats Du Monde de Cross-Country 1983, Championnats Du Monde de Cyclisme Sur Route 1970, Championnats D'europe de Gymnastique Artistique Féminine 1973, Jeux Du Commonwealth de 2002, Championnats Du Monde de Semi-Marathon 2009, Championnats Du Monde de Cross-Country 1976, Championnats Du Monde de Cyclisme Sur Route 1922, Championnats Du Monde D'escrime 1956, Championnat Du Monde de Kayak-Polo 1994. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : Le championnat du monde de snooker 2009 a eu lieu du 18 avril au 4 mai au Crucible Theatre, à Sheffield. Le championnat est sponsorisé pour la première fois par Betfred.com, après que 888.com eut retiré leur sponsor négocié en août 2008. Voici ci-dessous les résultats pour chaque tour. Le nombre entre parenthèses devant chaque joueur représente le classement obtenu par le joueur (chaque championnat possède 16 têtes de s...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

Product Description
Ever need a fact or quotation relating to billiards and snooker? Designed for speechwriters, journalists, writers, researchers, students, professors, teachers, historians, academics, scrapbookers, trivia buffs and word lovers, this book represents the largest compilation of anything relating to "billiards and snooker," with a linguistic emphasis on non-conventional usage and alternative meanings which capture ambiguities. The entries cover all parts of speech (noun, verb, adverb or adjective usage) as well as use in modern slang, pop culture, social sciences (linguistics, history, geography, economics, sociology, political science), business, computer science, literature, law, medicine, psychology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and other physical sciences. This "data dump" results in many unexpected examples for billiards and snooker, since the editorial decision to include or exclude terms is purely a linguistic process. The resulting entries are used under license or with permission, used under "fair use" conditions, used in agreement with the original authors, or are in the public domain. Proceeds from this book are used to expand the content and coverage of Webster's Online Dictionary (www.websters-online-dictionary.org). ... Read more

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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Mark Williams, Ray Reardon, Matthew Stevens, Terry Griffiths, Ryan Day, Daniel Wells, Doug Mountjoy, Michael White, Dominic Dale, Darren Morgan, Paul Davies, Dilwyn John, Mark Bennett, Cliff Wilson, Gary Owen, Tony Chappel, Jamie Jones, Lee Walker, Wayne Jones, Anthony Davies, Gareth Coppack, Steve Newbury, Andrew Pagett, Philip Williams. Excerpt:Andrew Pagett Andrew Pagett (b. 25 April 1982) is a Welsh professional snooker player . He became a professional in 2003. Websites (URLs online) A hyperlinked version of this chapter is at Anthony Davies Anthony Davies is a former Welsh professional snooker player, born on December 6, 1969. He turned professional in 1991, and his best performance was at the 1995 Thailand Open , where he reached the quarter-finals. His highest professional break was 141, in the 1995 Thailand. He was in the top 32 in the world rankings for three seasons, peaking at #26, until a disappointing 2004/2005 season in which he failed win a match. After failing to regain his form, Davies retired from snooker in 2006. References (URLs online) A hyperlinked version of this chapter is at Cliff Wilson Cliff Wilson (May 10, 1934 May 21, 1994) was a Welsh professional snooker player. He managed to get to into the world's top 16 in 1988 at the age of 55; a remarkable feat for someone with very poor eyesight and a number of other ailments. Amateur years Wilson was a talented amateur snooker player who grew up in the same town, Tredegar , as his friend and snooker rival Ray Reardon . He won the National Under-19 Championship in 1952 and 1953 and the Welsh Amateur Championship in 1956. Giving up the game Snooker's popularity was on the wane during the 1950s and it was extremely difficult to join the small, closed professional circuit. Wilson became disillusioned with the... ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Snooker Biography Stubs, Snooker Coaches, Managers and Promoters, Snooker Referees and Officials, Snooker Writers and Broadcasters, Clive Everton, Michaela Tabb, Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain, Dennis Taylor, Barry Hearn, John Spencer, Tammy Cantoni, Pankaj Advani, Dominic Dale, Darren Morgan, Jan Verhaas, Michael Judge, Zhang Anda, Alain Robidoux, Snooker Commentary, John Virgo, Len Ganley, Shokat Ali, Kurt Maflin, Kirk Stevens, Bogdan Wołkowski, Jack Karnehm, Brian Morgan, Subhash Agarwal, Clark Mcconachy, Neal Foulds, John Williams, David Morris, Om Agarwal, Silvino Francisco, Ben Woollaston, Tian Pengfei, Mark Wildman, John Smyth, Peter Francisco, Bob Chaperon, Mohammed Yousuf, Stefan Mazrocis, Yasin Merchant, John Parris, Atthasit Mahitthi, Ted Lowe, Jim Wych, Patsy Fagan, Dene O'kane, Joe Delaney, Jim Meadowcroft, Martin Clark, Issara Kachaiwong, Steve Mifsud, Wendy Jans, Bernard Bennett, Steve Prest, Colin Brinded, James Mcbain, Sam Baird, John Street, Mark Boyle, Warren King, Abu Saim, Paul Collier, Brendan O'donoghue, Noppon Saengkham, Gareth Coppack, Lee Page, Rafał Jewtuch, David Hogan, Stephen Rowlings, Saleh Mohammed, Noppadol Sangnil, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Jordan Brown, Vincent Muldoon, Declan Hughes, Paul Davison, Mei Xiwen, Kathy Parashis, Ray Edmonds, Lewis Roberts, List of Snooker Referees, Anuja Thakur, Jaique Ip, Gerrit Bij de Leij, Khurram Hussain Agha, Fung Kwok Wai, Chan Wai Ki, Eirian Williams, Naveen Perwani, Syed Mesam Ali Zaidi, Warren Simpson, Manan Chandra, Ann Sofie Löfgren, Angélique Vialard, Greg Casey, Ramona Belmont, Hanna Mergies, Mitchell Mann. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 228. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=3430865 ... Read more

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Chapters: Pot Black. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 41. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Pot Black was a British series of (non-ranking) televised snooker tournaments that played a large part in the popularisation of the modern game, from 1969 to 1986. The event was revived in the form of several one-off tournaments throughout the 1990s and up to 2007. In the late 1960s the BBC started broadcasting in colour, and were looking for programmes that could exploit this new technology. The game of snooker, with its rainbow of differently-coloured balls, was suggested. The programme first aired on 23 July 1969, on BBC2, presented by Alan Weeks, with Sydney Lee refereeing and match commentary by "Whispering Ted" Lowe. Filmed at the BBC TV studios in Birmingham, the first tournament was won by Ray Reardon. The success of Pot Black was immediate and phenomenal, and it became the second most popular programme on BBC2. The event was a round-robin tournament with single-frame weekly matches, a format devised by BBC Birmingham producer Philip Lewis. A player's total number of points scored could often become crucial. Therefore matches always ended with the potting of the black ball, which is often not bothered with in multi-frame matches. Pot Black's theme tune was the ragtime classic Black and White Rag, composed by George Botsford and performed by Winifred Atwell. Mark Williams holds the events' highest break record of 119. Pot Black ran from 1969 to 1986, by which time professional snooker, with its long matches, had become so popular that the single-frame matches (the finals were the best of 3 frames from 1978 to 1997) that Pot Black offered seemed almost irrelevant. The original version of Pot Black only had two hosts, Alan Weeks and, towards the end of its run, David Icke. Pot Black feat...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=622927 ... Read more

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Der Erwerb des Buches enthält gleichzeitig die kostenlose Mitgliedschaft im Buchklub des Verlags zum Ausprobieren - dort können Sie von über einer Million Bücher ohne weitere Kosten auswählen. Das Buch besteht aus Wikipedia-Artikeln: Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Steve Davis, John Higgins, Mark J. Williams, John Spencer, Ken Doherty, Peter Ebdon, Graeme Dott, Alex Higgins, Ray Reardon, John Parrott, Joe Davis, Cliff Thorburn, Dennis Taylor, Joe Johnson, Horace Lindrum, John Pulman, Fred Davis, Terry Griffiths, Walter Donaldson,. Online finden Sie die kostenlose Aktualisierung der Bücher. Nicht dargestellt. Auszug: Ronald Antonio „Ronnie" O'Sullivan (* 5. Dezember 1975 in Wordsley, West Midlands, England, Großbritannien) ist ein englischer Snookerspieler und dreifacher Weltmeister. O'Sullivan wurde 1992 professioneller Snookerspieler und hat seitdem unter anderem die Snookerweltmeisterschaft 2001, 2004 und 2008 gewonnen und war während mehrerer Spielzeiten die Nummer eins der Weltrangliste. Während der langen Sommerpausen im Snooker spielt er auch Poolbillard. Seinen Spitznamen The Rocket verdankte er seinem schnellen Aufstieg in der Weltrangliste zu Beginn seiner Karriere. Mittlerweile ist der Name aber eine Metapher für seine aggressive und schnelle Spielweise geworden. Ihm gelang das schnellste Maximum Break, das bisher bei offiziellen Turnieren gespielt wurde. Er spielte dieses „perfekte Break" von 147 Punkten 1997 während der Embassy World Championship im Crucible Theatre in Sheffield innerhalb von 5:20 Minuten. Diese Leistung brachte ihm einen Eintrag in das 2005 erschienene Buch Guinness-Buch der Rekorde 2006. Das erste Maximum gelang ihm im Alter von fünfzehn Jahren, und sein bisher letztes offizielles Maximum Break spielte Ronnie O'Sullivan während der Snookerweltmeisterschaft 2008 im letzten Frame des Achtelfinals gegen Mark Williams am 28. April 2008 in 8:46 Minuten. In der Bestenli...http://booksllc.net/?l=de&id=103264 ... Read more

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Chapters: Ronnie O'sullivan, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Paul Hunter, Mark Williams, Jimmy White, John Higgins, Alex Higgins, Mark Selby, Ray Reardon, Matthew Stevens, Terry Griffiths, Cliff Thorburn, Dennis Taylor, Doug Mountjoy, John Spencer, Alan Mcmanus, Perrie Mans. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 139. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Ronald Antonio "Ronnie" O'Sullivan (born 5 December 1975 in Wordsley, West Midlands), nicknamed "The Rocket" due to his rapid playing style, is an English professional snooker player. He has been World Champion on three occasions (2001, 2004 and 2008), and is second on the all-time prize money list with career earnings of over £6 million, behind only Stephen Hendry. O'Sullivan has been the world's no. 1 player on five occasions, has won a total of 22 ranking titles and is second on the list of competitive century breaks behind Stephen Hendry. O'Sullivan is considered by many fans, critics and fellow professionals, including Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry, as the most naturally talented player in the history of the game. He has also been involved in a number of controversial incidents during his career. O'Sullivan grew up and still lives in the exclusive Manor Road area in Chigwell, Essex and attended Wanstead High School. He started his career at an early age, first achieving a century break at the age of 10, making a 117; scored a 147 or maximum break at 15; and turned professional at 16. He won his first 38 matches as a professional a record that still stands on his way to the 1993 World Championship, where he remains the youngest-ever player to qualify. He lost in the first round 710 to Alan McManus and in the next season he was ranked 57. He was the youngest ever winner of a ranking tournament when he won the 1993 UK Championship aged 17, b...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=619761 ... Read more