The Natural
The Story of Patsy Houlihan, the Greatest Snooker Player You Never Saw
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Pitch Publishing Ltd
Published:3rd Apr '23
Should be back in stock very soon
The story of Patsy Houlihan, a forgotten snooker talent, reveals his legendary status among players and fans, despite never reaching professional heights in The Natural.
In The Natural, readers are introduced to the remarkable tale of Patsy Houlihan, a snooker prodigy who thrived in the shadows of the professional circuit during the 1950s and 60s. Despite his incredible talent and prowess, the professional game was largely inaccessible to him, leading to a life spent in the smoke-filled halls of the UK where he became a legend among his peers. Houlihan's journey is not just about snooker; it reflects the struggles and triumphs of an entire generation of players who fought for recognition in a closed-off world.
The Natural: The Story of Patsy Houlihan, the Greatest Snooker Player You Never Saw delves deeper into the life of this extraordinary amateur, showcasing his unmatched skills and the unique charisma that made him a folk hero. While the professional snooker scene was dominated by a select few, Houlihan's reputation grew as he hustled in local games, captivating audiences with his fast and aggressive style. His influence extended beyond the snooker table, inspiring many, including notable players like Jimmy White.
This book not only pays homage to a forgotten talent but also highlights the essence of snooker culture in working-class Britain. The Natural captures the spirit of a man whose legacy endures, illustrating how one individual can leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to witness his talent firsthand.
"An outstanding book, this labour of love provides a wonderful insight into one of snooker's great mythical characters. It's also a time capsule and piece of social history, bringing to life characters and places from and places from a bygone age." -- Nick Metcalfe * Talking Snooker podcast *
"This was such an enjoyable read and an educational experience at the same time. Not only about the life and times of Patsy Houlihan, but how snooker as a sport evolved and also a social history, specifically of south London. Told with an obvious warmth and passion by the author, and told through the wide range of people he spoke to about Patsy." -- Phil Haigh * Talking Snooker podcast *
"Five stars. Fantastic book... As a work of biography, Williams has done a great job capturing the essence of Houlihan as a man, a friend, a father and a snooker player. Williams has done a wonderful job in bringing Patsy Houlihan to life in this entertaining, excellent book." -- Brendan Crawley * All Sports Book Reviews *
"This is a vivid, impeccably researched account of a gifted player who never got a proper chance to show the world how good he was. Full of interesting details and brimming with anecdotes, 'The Natural' does justice to Patsy Houlihan and evokes a time long before snooker was a respectable staple of the television schedules." -- David Hendon * snooker writer and Eurosport commentator *
"This green baize belter is a 147 of a Snooker story that's also a riveting read and a superb slice of social history. Luke Williams effortlessly pots the black with this brilliant book."
-- Paul Ross * TalkSPORT *ISBN: 9781801504294
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
256 pages