Pétanque: The Greatest Game You Never Heard Of: Beyond Bocce, The Elegant & Intelligent French Game of Boules

I initially reviewed this book in June 2012, when I was first learning petanque. It is now May 6, 2013. I have been playing, and using the book, for almost a year, and I am revising my review in light of what I have learned in the last year.One of the parts of the book that was most useful to me when I was starting out was the explanation of the difference between bocce and petanque. While useful at the time, that tiny tidbit of information now seems to me trivial. In my earlier review, I wished that the book contained more material about how to construct a petanque court (a "terrain"). I no longer have that wish. With more experience, I have come to realized that Putman is right, and that the best petanque is to be had when playing on natural terrains.As with other reviewers, my first impression of the book was shaped by the introduction and the first chapter. These parts include criticisms of bocce, criticisms of the FPUSA (Federation of Petanque USA), and criticisms of FPUSA clubs for failing to promote a higher level of play. Some other reviewers have criticized this material as "whining" and reduced the number of stars they gave the book. I find the criticisms in those reviews to be rather misleading, for two reasons. First, what seems to others to be "whining" seems to me to be (mostly) simple factual reporting of Putman's experiences. Putnam's reports seem to me realistic because, quite independently, I have had virtually identical experiences. So despite Putman's perhaps over-harsh tone in the early pages of the book, those pages raise valid issues. Second, these parts of the book are not typical of the book as a whole. After Chapter 1, the book's attention is completely devoted to the game itself, and the presentation is calm, clear, and extremely informative.After Chapter 2 (on strategy and etiquette), chapter 3 examines throwing techniques (basically, what happens to the ball when it is thrown or rolled). Chapter 4 is devoted to throwing mechanics (basically, how to move your body in order to be an effective thrower/player). Chapter 5 is devoted to competition boule selection. Chapter 5 is extremely useful in helping you separate important facts from urban legends when it comes to selecting boules. That chapter alone is worth the price of admission.The real strength of the book is Chapter 4: throwing mechanics. Chapter 4 discusses the basics of what you should be doing with your body in order to throw effectively, the various movement options you have, and ways to practice effectively. I didn't begin to appreciate the importance or usefulness of this information until after I had been playing for six or eight months. Only after you have been playing for a while do you start to have questions such as: "When I'm throwing with my right hand, what should I be doing with my left hand?" Or "How should I be holding the boule so that I can get some consistency in my pointing and shooting?" When I started having those questions, I went back to the book, and I found the answers there.I think that as I gain experience, in the future I will have more advanced questions, and I will be able to come back to the book and find the answers. I can see that there is advanced material that, now, is beyond me, but will become relevant and useful as I become more experienced. This is why I think the book deserves 5 stars, and why I think everybody who really wants to learn and play petanque will want to own this book. It has the depth of information that will allow you to come back to it every year or two, study it again, and each time to find something new and useful.Since the book went to press, two things have changed.(1) Petanque America has started selling leisure boules, and Putman now recommends the generic boules from Petanque America (as opposed to Playaboule).(2) The amount of useful information on the Web, about petanque, in English, has improved considerably (google "PETANQUE PORTAL USA").

This is a good intermediate book for someone who's been introduced to the game and looking to get more information. I thought the sections on throwing technique and boule selection were very useful. This book was a big source of comfort in that it confirmed I was on the right track in making my first competition boule selection.I was a little disappointed by the overall negative attitude towards existing clubs/organizations. Given that these are mostly run by volunteers, I'd recommend the author not look a gift horse in the mouth! Without commenting on the merits of the author's complaints, it usually makes more sense to help improve existing groups from within rather than tearing them down and starting over. In any event, I don't know there are enough players/volunteers to duplicate existing structures.In all though, I'm really glad someone took the time and effort to produce a well written, useful book about petanque. It's clear quite a bit of effort went into this and the final product is a high quality manual. I would recommend this to other intermediate players or novices looking to get more involved in the game.

This book is a work of comic genius. I was laughing from the first paragraph. Putman's steady jibes at the ex-pat French Petanque community's snobby attitude is hysterical. It reads more or less like good British humor (though Putman is American) of the Jeeves (Wodehouse) or Paddington Bear variety. To be perfectly honest I haven't even tried playing yet but I am loving the book simply on the grounds of the author's humor. It's a page turner. I'd love to play with this guy.The humorless reviewers who have tweaked Putman for whining seem to have missed what a rare gem this is: an author of a how-to book who establishes a comic persona and then runs with it for the whole book. You're in for a treat!

I wasn't sure what to expect after reading the reviews - it's a little preachy in tone but otherwise fine, IMHO not at all "anti-French" as some reviewers noted. Some useful information scattered about. Definitely reads like it was written by an American engineer - which I think the author is -

I am an avid, long term, petanque player. A few notes. Some of the rules the author discusses are either incorrect or out of date. It also goes into a lot of detail where detail is not needed. For example, it doesn't take a rocket scientist, nor an author, to tell you that when the roll out is downhill you must adjust your throw. You also don't need more than half a page on how/where to throw the cochonette. In addition, some of her drills seem overly complicated and suggest equipment that you can make yourself with scraps found around home.

A fellow petanque player lent me a copy, which I found very easy to read and very informative. Of course, I had to have my own copy and can now spend more time examining techniques, tips and photographs that show various scenarios to use in training. I recommend this book to all interested in this wonderful game; I do believe it has also contributed (and will continue to do so) to my development of the game.

Mr Putman has has to find out for himself all the information contained in this volume . Intensive travel and research has produced a comprehensive and invaluable guide to the english speaking petanque player or the prospective player . Speaking as coach i see that he has come to many similar opinions on the playing and structure of the game and how to improve all aspects of everybodys game and their enyoyment of it . Because it is the only book of its type written in English it is a must read for all who love the game .

A typically American book with all the evangelism of a convert, but little spiritual or full technical understanding. I am in full agreement with the other review on this book that asks why try to translate terms when those terms perfectly fit what's needed? Another approach that is typically American... Nor is it the first manual in English either!

Well written, humorous and educational all in one special book that will hopefully improve my game!

I don’t envy our US colleagues. They just don’t know what they are missing. Read this book and get some valuable ideas. Beginners from all over the world will find a lot of valuable information about the game, and how to play it.

I brought this book as a Christmas gift for my mother who is an avid petanque player. Contained within the book is a lot of information regarding the game as well as strategies and playing tips to improve your performance. All the players at the club agree that the book is a good resource for petanque.

Excellent tutorial