Any of these books worth a read?

[danno2]

Fundartmentals by Frank Pratt is worth a look.

[Black180]

I have a lot of these; but have to say Bellys and Bullseyes is definately my fave. I read that book in one day!..... It was that good!

[philrocks84]

Was thinking of buying that Art of darts book but read some really bad reviews of it saying its really common sense stuff it tells you.

[Viking.]

Originally Posted by philrocks84

Was thinking of buying that Art of darts book but read some really bad reviews of it saying its really common sense stuff it tells you.

one of the lads in our team read the art of darts and its worked wonders for him. He was chrysanthemum last season but this season he's 7th in the merits and has only lost one game out of 8 in a better league and he puts it down to that book. Obviously not one thing will work for everyone or we'd all be playing with phase 5's and be trying to replicate Taylor's style so with technique books I think its a little trial and error it doesn't necessarily mean that because it didn't work fore one person it wont work for you.

[joe totale]

I got Art of Darts from my local library. Didnt help my game too much , but then again i am probably behold help !!
Its not the best book in the world either. Worth getting from the library, but not sure its worth buying. John Lowe's book Old Stoneface is a better book, but as said previously I thoight Sid Waddells book Bellies and Bullseyes is one of the better ones

[thesil]

I've read all the books on the list -- most are alright for entertainment value. Can't say they're not worth picking them up used for a few days of enjoyment.

If you want a book that will help you improve far and away the best is Darts: Beginning to End by George Silberzahn.

Get it here:

http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=59697

I've read it eight times, do all the drills and it has made me a much better player. I wish I'd had the chance to buy it when I started playing five years ago as I'd be much better now for having had it the whole time. Great, great stuff.

[Vanilla Strip]

My thought's on Drats books I've read:

Wayne Mardle's: OK. Entertaining enough and a good insight to the life of a pro but the book has aged considerably. Wayne's even playing in majors back then.... Seriously, it's OK but as said it really does feel like it's aged.


Taylor's: Not surprisingly, it's boring, patronising and lacks any humility at all. The prose is also terrible. There are points where PTPT says things like "but more about that in the next chapter!...." Really Phil? Really? can't wait. Must turn the pages quicker.... Not great overall and there is a lot of bitterness he could nhave avoided, especially if he focussed on his achievements.

Lowe, Old Stone Face: Boring. Very, very boring. Covers little of his darts and too much of his life story. Yes, I know it is an autobiography but not enough darts. Also, you will get pee'd off how many times he reiterates phrases like "me, a working class lad from a small pit town in Derby" so often you expect it to turn into the 4 yorkshiremen sketch from Monty Python. Avoid.

Lowe, The Art of Darts: Terrible. Shocking. An embarrassing effort. Very out of touch and out of date. Has John Part down as a two time World Champion even though it was published 2 whole years following Part's third title. Makes a big deal about how you should have the right darts etc and to look at player's set up and then goes on to talk about the knitting needle darts PTPT uses - again many years after he changed to phase 5's or similar. Lowe states the book can help anyone from beginner to pro. Rubbish, I can assure you anyone in the top 50 of wither code will get nothing from this book. You'd be better of letting the pub bore drivel on at you with his advice. Better as a coaster than a book.

Justin irwin, Murder on the Dartsboard: Fantastic read. My opinion of this may only be becuase I can relate to Irwin (top bloke by the way) and is experiences more than I can a top pro but the humour in the book is great and you quickly find yourself rooting for the bloke ven if he is a Guardian reading leftie. Some real laugh out loud moments in the book and one I'd recomend to anyone who has ever played in a team.

Wadell, Bellies & Bullseyes: Fantastic read again. Although Waddell grates on my nerves with his one sided commentary and inability to count, he has to be recognsed as a legend in his own right and is solely responsible for bringing the game of darts to the television and to a much wider audience. Waddell has been involved at the top of the game for 30+ years and has stories galore to regale the reader with. Cracking humour throughout and very informative. There is also a chapter devoted to PTPT (rightly so to be fair) which is a condensed highlight of PTPT's book (was co-written by Waddell). You're better off reading B&B than the Power by a long chalk. Best of all the books I've read with Murder on... a close second.

Bristow's I left in the Ally Pally two years ago but read a cracking bogrpahy of the man by Deryk someone that was one of the best darts books I've seen.

Would love to read Jockey Wilson's if anyone has a spare copy.

[Steve Metalman]

Originally Posted by thesil

I've read all the books on the list -- most are alright for entertainment value. Can't say they're not worth picking them up used for a few days of enjoyment.

If you want a book that will help you improve far and away the best is Darts: Beginning to End by George Silberzahn.

Get it here:

http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=59697

I've read it eight times, do all the drills and it has made me a much better player. I wish I'd had the chance to buy it when I started playing five years ago as I'd be much better now for having had it the whole time. Great, great stuff.

These lessons are available free from flight school ( see google)
Some good stuff for beginners, I've learnt a few practice things from there.
Fill in your requirements when George contacts you and send them off to him and he will help you.
Nice bloke. I should send him more feedback than I do.
OK its not to everybodys taste but I liked it.