{"product_id":"encyclopedia-of-pool-hustlers-stories-photos-insider-tales","title":"Encyclopedia of Pool Hustlers - Stories, Photos, Insider Tales","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Encyclopedia of Pool Hustlers, the bottom line is clear: this is a must-read for anyone fascinated by midcentury pool culture and the personalities who shaped it. Freddy The Beard Bentivegna compiles his lifelong experiences into a 325-page, color 8.5 x 11 edition that reads like an oral history; the single biggest reason to buy is the combination of candid anecdotes and over 300 photos that bring the netherworld of hustling to life. The book's readable 11 point font and densely packed personal extracts make it an engaging reference rather than a dry chronicle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirsthand anecdotes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bentivegna writes from lifelong experience, giving readers direct access to the lives and techniques of well known hustlers in an informed, personal voice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtensive photography:\u003c\/strong\u003e Over 300 photos illustrate faces, settings, and gear, helping readers visualize stories and identify old school players by sight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenerous format:\u003c\/strong\u003e The color 8.5 x 11 layout and 11 point font make the book easy to read and ideal for studying photos and captions without squinting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurated extracts:\u003c\/strong\u003e The content is composed of comprehensive extracts from Bentivegna's experiences, which streamlines decades of memory into usable vignettes and facts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContributions from peers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Running commentary from other constituents adds perspectives beyond the author and enriches the historical record.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed at billiards enthusiasts, historians of American subcultures, and players who want a textured understanding of hustling, personalities, and the social scene of the second half of the 20th century. Its strong photographic element and firsthand stories also make it valuable to anyone compiling oral histories or researching individual sports culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a how-to pool instruction manual or a short coffee-table picture book should look elsewhere; this is a dense, narrative-driven compilation best enjoyed by those who want depth, names, and real-life encounters rather than step-by-step technique or lightweight visuals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich firsthand storytelling that captures the tone and texture of old school hustling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOver 300 photos that support identification and immersion in the scenes described.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReadable presentation with 11 point font and large 8.5 x 11 pages for comfortable browsing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book is narrative and anecdotal rather than instructional, so it is not a technical guide to improving play.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaders expecting a glossy coffee-table book may find the focus is more on stories and documentation than visual design.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEncyclopedia of Pool Hustlers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor \/ Brand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emr Freddy The Beard Bentivegna\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePage count\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e325 pages\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor 8.5 x 11 edition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFont size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 point\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhotographs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOver 300 photos\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Encyclopedia of Pool Hustlers is an engrossing, well documented compilation for readers who care about real names, real encounters, and the visual record of midcentury hustling. Buy it if you want oral history and identification material; its mix of photos and firsthand extracts makes it excellent value for researchers and longtime fans of the game.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many pages are in the book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book contains 325 pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size and font is used?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is a color 8.5 x 11 edition printed in 11 point font for readable text and large photos.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it include photos or just text?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt includes over 300 photos alongside the anecdotal extracts and commentary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"mr Freddy The Beard Bentivegna","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48264627585243,"sku":"1491033010","price":55.85,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/91fYF-ZOmxL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778317670","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/encyclopedia-of-pool-hustlers-stories-photos-insider-tales","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}