Blindsided By God A True Story of Rebellion, Redemption, and Relentless Grace By Thomas Hivick Pringle

“I didn’t want to hear about God. I didn’t want to hear from Him. So He blindsided me. And that changed everything.”


A brutally honest memoir about addiction, defiance, pool hustling, and the mercy that caught up with him. If you think you’re too far gone for God, this book was written for you.

Introduction

About the Author

Tom Pringle was one of the best bar table pool players in the country. He went on multiple road trips where all he did was look for pool games. Back in the eighties, while playing in the Andy Mercer league in Las Vegas, he won the top player award four times in the toughest Bear and Lion divisions. He also held the record of 42 consecutive wins in league play, In 1986, in the World Tavern Pool Tournament he tied for fourth in a field of 780 players. He made a comeback in the 90s when he published his Bar Table 9 Ball book and played on the team that won the Nevada State Championship three years in a row. After that he stopped competing but still gave lessons to inspiring players. He still gives lessons to this day.

NEVADA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM 1993, 1994, 1995 Tom played on this team in 1994 and 1995

A lot of people don’t realize there is a difference between shooting pool on a bar table and playing on a regulation table. The secrets mentioned in this book are the secrets that elevated Tom to being one of the top players in America, Published in 1994 this book is now out of print.

A NEW CREATION

After years of mocking God and scoffing at Christians, Tom went through an amazing transformation that changed him forever. Join him on his miraculous journey.

Book Introduction

About the Book

BLINDSIDED BY GOD isn’t a sugarcoated faith story. It’s the raw, unfiltered journey of a man who ran from God for decades—and what happened when grace caught up with him.

 

This book doesn’t preach. It confesses. It remembers. It warns. And above all, it points readers to the real freedom found only in Christ.

Testimonials

what they say about the book

KAREN
ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY
Thomas H. Pringle's story is both ordinary and extraordinary. His telling of it had me turning pages wondering what could possibly happen next. Thomas's immediate family was in most ways enviable. He had a brother, a sister, a God-fearing mother, and an involved father. All were devoted to each other in love. Still, every individual makes their own decisions, and Thomas did not always make the best! One thing that he did do very well was to play pool. He won nearly every tournament he participated in. Even in Las Vegas, he was called "the master!" One day when he least saw it coming, the True Master blindsided him with the undeniable message of love and forgiveness poured out for him on the cross of Jesus. This was the turning point in Thomas's life. He began the walk of a new life, the path illuminated by the Holy Spirit. You too will be captivated by Thomas's book, Blindsided by God.
STEPHEN
THE ULTIMATE STORY OF FAITH AND PERSEVERANCE
The author did an amazing job in telling his life story of the really highs of his life without God and the lowest of lows. His story will resonate with many who think that life is good without God. Through tragedy he finds God in his deepest pain. His testimony is a reminder that in the darkest hour God’s light will always shine through. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to take a trip through the worst days of life with God appearing just in time to create a life filled with blessings and salvation.
REGINA
FINDING GOD
This is a wonderful and captivating book. It really held my interest and am truly blessed. The author gives a beautiful testimony about finding God after so many years of thinking that He didnt exist. May all who read this be inspired to open your heart to our Lord as He loves us so much.
MOE
INSPIRATIONAL AND HUMBLING
I believe we all have experienced a miracle or two in our lives. Those moments where nobody can deny God is with us. I love hearing about the paths that were taken to end up righteous in the end. Love the writing love his truth!!!! Beautiful writing.
CHRISTINE
GOD IS SO AWESOME
Very Awesome! I couldn't put it down. Many people go through life either thinking everything is hopeless or believing they can craft their own way to get to heaven. This author started off belonging to a huge religion. He became an atheist and gradually came to the conclusion that anything you want to believe is true as long as you really believe it. Although he thought he knew everything he needed to know, he kept sinking lower and lower as a human being. At his lowest point, God reached down unexpectedly and brought him out of the dismal darkness. This was a miraculous account of one person's salvation.

NEWS FEED AND BLOGS

Faith in Real Life

Thomas shares reflections, testimonies, and truth that speaks to the broken, the searching, and the skeptical.

October 17, 2025
I love the game of pool. There was a time when pool was my god. Everyday I would practice and study and learn as much as I could about this wonderful game. The game of pool is one of the most difficult games to play. You can never quite master it but you can continue to get better and better. Once you get to the table, it’s your job to keep your opponent from getting another shot.
June 5, 2025
Throughout my success as a pool player, I always felt like there was something missing. For years, the problem was that missing link was hiding from me. I always thought I could eventually find the cures for the loneliness and the guilt-ridden feelings but it always seemed like to me, that they were on the other side of the canyon and the road to them was unapproachable.