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He is a serious man, a serious writer, and a serious thinker. I've read Cooper for years, and bought this book when it first came out, although it's a collection, and a Cooper-fan will have read some of these before. Just a quick aside: Cooper's The Art of the Rifle is the best gift one can give to anyone interested in hunting or shooting- it is the perfect-almost mandatory- companion piece to a young person's first rifle. That's high praise from a wordsmith and a half.Hal Herringauthor of:Famous Firearms of the Old West: From Wild Bill Hickok's Colt Revolvers to Geronimo's Winchester, Twelve Guns That Shaped Our History
At least it would make them read. To give an idea of Cooper's wide audience, I heard the Texas songwriter James McMurtry (Larry McMurty, Lonesome Dove, etc.'s son) talking about Cooper on the satellite radio not long ago, saying he was one of the only gunwriters who can truly write, and has something larger to say. Maybe they would learn why the Republican party has collapsed, just by seeing what a real conservative is. In fact, the conserative movement in the US could use a good read of To Ride, Shoot Straight,and Speak the Truth.
Cooper is an authentic American voice, and the rare man who has read and written as much as he has studied weaponry, ethics, and war. Cooper is a hard--edged right winger of the old school, as far removed from these radio shock jocks like Limbaugh as you could ever get. They are all well worth reading. Reading him reminds one of Andre Malraux and other warrior scholars, who have lived big lives, witnessed history, and feel enough a part of it to offer their take on almost anything.
But it does not matter- Cooper's opinions are his own, and because of his powerful intellect, they are always worth reading, considering, questioning. Col. He is opinionated- I never agreed with him about the wars in Central America, or about his rigid interpretations of morality.
The whole book is littered with great tips.This is a great book for folks just getting into guns for any reason, be it hunting or self defense. The first few chapters are some of the best defenses for using a weapon in self-defense I've ever read.
It has become acceptable, even fashionable, to allow oneself to be victimized. I first read this book in Summer 2006, as a "homework assignment."It has been on my favorites shelf ever since, and I've lost track of the number of times I've read it.Col. is to resist, to stand up, to fight back.Reading this book definitely changed me as an individual.I heartily recommend it to any and all. Cooper, right up front, points out that the way to prevent future attacks or affronts against one's self, family, country, property, etc. Cooper (rest in peace) herein sets out a little of everything. Perhaps most importantly, though, is what he addresses up front, which is just as applicable now as it was when he wrote it: Mindset.
Must read. Read this book if you are serious about self defense. It's about more than that, just a great book.
Well worth the very quick read. Great look into the making of a real American hero. Highly recommended. As with most of the others here, I was a little suprised by the book, but pleasantly so. This work offers a great insight to what a man who has been there and done that thinks of the world in which we live (and the world from whence he came).
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