Mr. Marner's book on snooker technique has two things in common with Geza's recent publication on billiards technique; one - it is highly controversial; and two - it needs to be read and considered carefully. At a superficial level Mr. Marner's thoughts on the cue grip, the follow-through, and on positional play are so contrary to received wisdom as to be ridiculous. However, when considered carefully his views make a lot of sense. For example, I could not go along with his views on grip until someone (Martin Goodwill) pointed out that Alex Higgins drops his forefinger thus clearly not gripping the cue in the manner I had always thought that good players always did. When in poor form virtually all players are desperate to know what it is they are doing wrong. Mr. Marner makes the point that it is far more important, when in good form, to know what it is that the player is doing right; simple - now why didn't I think of that?
The subject matter could have been better organised but the book is beautifully printed and the diagrams and photographs are excellent. Though primarily concerned with snooker, much of the discussion is equally applicable to billiards. It is a thought-provoking work and well worth reading.