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Book Recomendations

18K views 63 replies 40 participants last post by  CatchySaver 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
For you readers out there. Great book.

For all of you out there in TV land that read, I have almost completed one of the most unforgettable books. It is called Lone Survivor, and is written by Marcus Luttrell. Marcus is the lone survivor of a seal team that was lost in Afghanistan during Operation Red Wing.

Man those guys are tough. Reading about the fire fight that cost 3 of the 4 SEALS their life was amazing and truly sad. I was on a plane and was almost brought to tears as I read.

So if you enjoy reading I highly suggest this book, I do not think it glorifies war or anything like that, but it serves as a damn fine homage to those lost on this mission. Give it a try and I'll bet you will not be disapointed.

Tom
 
#3 ·
Oh, Mike, don't get me started...

For some painless WW2 history wrapped up in exciting, well-crafted spy novels, try Alan Furst's books. You'll enjoy yourself, and you'll learn something while you're at it.
Be warned: he makes a couple of gun-related mistakes.
 
#4 ·
I am always looking for good books to read and I like the idea finding reviews on this forum. Thanks for starting this threat Tscott.

If any of you like history I can highly recommend a book I recently read. Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough, who in my opinion is the best living American historian.

The book is about the childhood and youth of Teddy Roosevelt.
 
#5 ·
Governments, and how they almost purposefully screw things up against their own best interests, time after time: Tuchman, Barbara; The March of Folly
This is a very well written book (as are all of hers), and it will hold your interest all the way through. It will also have you shaking your head in bewilderment, at the built-in stupidity of one governmental entity after another, all the way through history.
 
#6 ·
I like the idea of a book review area.

If it's hard-boiled tough-guy fiction you like, I highly recommend Barry Eisler's "Rain" series. Start with Hard Rain and after you finish you'll be rushing to the book store/library to get the rest of the series. High-tech gadgets, counter-surveillance techniques, brutal self-defense tactics, and hot women. John Rain is what you always wanted James Bond to be, but never is.

Lee Child's "Jack Reacher" novels are also good reads. Ex-Military Policeman loner wandering across the US and getting swept up in mysteries that usually end in high body counts.
 
#8 ·
If any of you like history I can highly recommend a book I recently read. Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough, who in my opinion is the best living American historian.

The book is about the childhood and youth of Teddy Roosevelt.
Teddy wrote a book shortly after the first campaign of Span-Am war, I think he completed it in 1901, about his experiences during the conflict. It's called the Rough Rider's, I'm sure any of you who know history are familar with it. Excellent portayal of that forgotten conflict.

Governments, and how they almost purposefully screw things up against their own best interests, time after time: Tuchman, Barbara; The March of Folly
This is a very well written book (as are all of hers), and it will hold your interest all the way through. It will also have you shaking your head in bewilderment, at the built-in stupidity of one governmental entity after another, all the way through history.
I hear she was an excellent author. I still have "The Guns of August" sitting on my shelf here, I've been meaning to start it.
 
#9 ·
Magazines:
*American Handgunner's information is fairly reliable, but there isn't much in it that'll help a new shooter.
*Guns, too.
*Concealed Carry Magazine is useful if you intend to carry a concealed weapon.
Books:
*Cooper, Jeff; Principles of Personal Defense
*Ayoob, Massad; In The Gravest Extreme!
(Both of these very useful books are about save-your-life defensive shooting.)

Instruction from, or even mere interaction with, an experienced shooter is the very best thing for a beginner. Books and magazines don't hold a candle to personal contact.
 
#10 ·
Join the NRA and you'll get American Rifelman for free!! :smt023


Or just join the NRA anyway!!! :smt1099
 
#11 ·
Books

Ghost,
I echo Steve1911A1's comments for the most part, especially on the books and magazine side. The NRA firearms safety course is OK for the "real" beginner. For anyone else..it is a total waste of anyones time, based on the fact that this person is truly dedicated to learning something about firearms and shooting. This dedicated person, if it is in his budget and means, should attend a professional firearms training school in his part of the world and learn from an accredited professional the procedures and techniques proper to good gun safety, gun handling and marksmanship. Good luck on your impending journey.
 
#12 ·
I second Steve's book recommendations, and will add my own.

General shooting/hunting:

To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth, Fireworks, and Another Country - Jeff Cooper

Shooting technique:

The Modern Technique of the Pistol - Greg Morrison
Shooting from Within - Mike Plaxco
Surgical Speed Shooting - Andy Stanford
Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals - Brian Enos (obviously a more advanced book)

Gunfighting:

No Second Place Winner - Bill Jordan
StressFire - Massad Ayoob
Handgun Combatives - Dave Spaulding
Fighting Smarter - Tom Givens

Riflery:

The Art of the Rifle - Jeff Cooper

The handbook that is part of the NRA's Basic Pistol curriculum is pretty decent in terms of explaining beginner level things like natural point of aim, sight alignment/picture, breath control, etc.

Lots of people skip the NRA course because they think their skills are too "advanced" for the class, but my experience as an NRA instructor is that 95% of people aren't nearly as "advanced" as they fancy themselves. A quick trip to any public range will confirm this.
 
#13 ·
Magazines:
*American Handgunner's information is fairly reliable, but there isn't much in it that'll help a new shooter.
*Guns, too.
*Concealed Carry Magazine is useful if you intend to carry a concealed weapon.
Books:
*Cooper, Jeff; Principles of Personal Defense
*Ayoob, Massad; In The Gravest Extreme!
(Both of these very useful books are about save-your-life defensive shooting.)

Instruction from, or even mere interaction with, an experienced shooter is the very best thing for a beginner. Books and magazines don't hold a candle to personal contact.
+1 on Steve's recommendations.
 
#14 ·
The "Blue Book of Gun Values" is either THE best, or ONE of the best resources for valuing firearms. It's also a great encyclopedia of info such as when a certain model was first manufactured (or discontinued), sub-models, rare variations, number made, etc. A little bit spendy, but highly recommended (click link below):
https://store.bluebookinc.com/Firearms/Default.aspx
You might be able to find the latest Blue Book at a well-stocked local bookstore or gunshop.

Gunsmithing is a fairly wide field, and I know of no single book that really begins to approach it all. DBI books has a few general gunsmithing-at-home titles that can be helpful; I think they can be found on Amazon.com as well as other places. For a series of books on general gunsmithing, I'd recommend Brownell's "Gunsmith Kinks", which cover a broad range of tasks, from simple cold-bluing to re-barreling or actually building an accurate rifle. Click link to go to Brownell's site, to read a description and/or order:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1688&title=GUNSMITH KINKS~
Get the first one for just a taste, or dive in and buy the whole set for the serious hobbyist.

I'm not connected to these companies in any way other than being a satisfied customer; in Brownell's case, a repeatedly satisfied customer! :smt023

EDIT: I forgot to mention, if you get one or more of the Brownell's books, ask them to send their latest catalog as well.
Hundreds of pages of parts, accessories, supplies, books, and other gun-related gadgets.
They happily take phone orders, too, if you don't want to order online.

.
 
#15 ·
Thanks so much for the info. 'The blue book of gun values 'is a definate and I will check out Brownells. It sounds like something he might really enjoy and use as he has been buying and tinkering with old guns that people say don't work. He just bought a New England Firearms single shot 12 guage for $20 that didn't fire. He cleaned everything up and 'Voila!' It works great!

So your advice is very much appreciated. Thanks!
 
#16 ·
Hard to say with books nowadays. Oh...I still like reading them, and looking at diagrams or pics, but most anything can be found online. A lot of info is free, and downloadable. Personally, I never have relied on a yearly publication for firearms values...I like to keep more up-to-date than that. My suggestion...get your husband a subscription to ShotgunNews for starters. I used to have a subscription for a few years, now I just pick them up from the magazine rack most any place I shop.
https://subs.intermediaoutdoors.com/pcd/eSv?iMagId=27701&i4Ky=IBZN
 
#18 ·
In my opinion, most modern day gun writers have one thing in common: they can't write very well. That being said, I love Bill Jordan's No Second Place Winner. It is a classic in my book (pun intended).
 
#19 ·
What type of book? If youre looking for a collection of handgun photo's I have this book at home called "Handguns of the world" or something similar that has flintlock handguns from the 16th century all the way up to present. It's got information on companies too. Lemme know if youre interested, I can get the title for you.
 
#20 ·
Lost Rights

There is an old book entitled Lost Rights, The Destruction of Liberty
by James Bovard is a great book to read. It is likely my favorite book dealing with the way the country is heading. Written about 10 years ago, it is still in print.

While only one chapter deals with guns, there are other chapters relating to guns.

I suggest every conservative American read it.

In my opinion, most modern day gun writers have one thing in common: they can't write very well. That being said, I love Bill Jordan's No Second Place Winner. It is a classic in my book (pun intended).
I have this book and I knew Bill Jordan. He wrote several and I agree, this book is a classic. As far as I know, all his books are now out of print.
 
#21 ·
Understanding Firearms Ballistics by Robert A. Rinker.

You dont need to be able to do all of the math(I certainly couldnt) to get alot of this book but if you can then will get a deeper understanding of what is happening when a firearm discharges. Great book for dispelling alot of the myths and misunderstandings surrounding ballistics e.g. rising bullets, the differece between a ballistic and parabolic arch and others that crop up from time to time.

Dont let the equations scare you off. When it comes to math Im slightly above a sea urchin but I'm now able to calculate bullet flight times and work with ballistics charts thanks to Understanding Firearms Ballistics.
 
#22 ·
I just finished "More Guns Less Crime - Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws" by John Lott.

Its kind of heavy on statistics and the data is a few years old, but he gives a good bit of evidence that shows that crime rates fall in areas with more CCW permits issued.
 
#23 ·
Just finished a fewe that were excellent.

1. Unintended Consequences-John Ross(I'm sure many of you have read it.) regarding gun laws and the possible(fictional) reprocussions of these laws. Long book, first few chapters were boring but it picks up, very fast and disturbing at the same time of what could happen.

2. Vertical Run - Joseph Garber Fiction, A CEO former Vietnam Green Beret has to escape from people close to him trying to kill him for an unknown reason till the end (don't wanna give too much away) I think theres one gun mistake.

3. Total Resistance: Swiss Army Guide to Guerilla Warfare - H. Von Dach Non-fiction, actually could be just as handy as the the boy scout handbook. Hopefully will never have to use it, but entertaining the imagination nonetheless. :smt068
 
#24 ·
Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse by James Wesley Rawles

A great book. Fiction. Almost read as a survival guide however for how to setup a retreat if the economy collapses due to hyper-inflation. Kinda gets bogged down in technical details but still a great book.

Right now I'm reading;

Enemies Foreign and Domestic by Matthew Bracken

Being only 150 pages in, I can honestly say this is one of my favorite books. It's part 1 of a three book series and has some great plotting and characters. It's a book about a "staged" shooting at a stadium that results in the ban of all "assault weapons" from citizens. Truly a scary thought.
 
#25 ·
Did I already post this:
Tuchman, Barbara; The March of Folly: why governments continue to pursue disastrous courses of action, even though the coming disaster is clearly seen as the result.
Diamond, Jared; Collapse: why entire civilizations continue to pursue courses leading inevitably to clearly-foreseen ecological disaster, even while that disaster is happening, and what practical (non-radical) steps might be taken to avoid the predictable end.

Jean and I will be away on vacation from 09/28 (this Monday) until 10/18.

Be seein' you...
 
#26 ·
one of the best books I've ever read was "In the Company of Heroes", by Mike Durant. He was the pilot that survived in the Black Hawk Down incident. It's one that makes you proud to be an American. I also like Black hawk Down in general. For fiction, all books by Vince Flynn are great. It's about the counter terrorism stuff, which is just entertaining to read.
 
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