What's your favorite or most influential book you've read pertaining the shooting sports ? * * * Mine happens to be Elmer Keith's,"####, I was there !" Elmer was a hunter who guided, wildcated some of our most popular cartridges, helped develope the 'old' Model 70 *and the .44 mag. * * * Elmer was an innovator and man of action first, and a gun writer second, unlike some of todays writers. He told it the way it was, no mater whose toes he stepped on.

Good question, and I'll submit three favorites, each with a little different subject and flavor.

"Fast and Fancy" by Ed McGivern. Very similiar to Keith in that I'd loved to have met and watched him perform. The book takes a little "working at", but like Keith, the gentleman really knew his stuff.

"Death in the Long Grass" by Peter Capstick. A big game hunter's adventures in the African Bush. This is one of five Capstick books I have and each one offers adventures with the long guns that makes you shake your head.

"We Pointed Them North, Recollenctions of a Cowpuncher" by E.C.Abbott ("Teddy Blue")
and Helena Huntington Smith. *Guns are of course, not the main subject, but they play an important part of this cowboys experiences. One of the very best "old west" books I've read.

Dan

I would have to divide this into 2 categories, one on firearms in general and one on hunting.
1. *Shooting and Firearms in general would have to be Jim Carmichel's Book of the Rifle.
2. *Hunting and adventure, pick any of Russell Annabel's Books.

Oh yeah, one other collection that I feel is a must for all interested in the outdoors, is every book that has been written by Patrick McManus. *<!--emo&;)--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->



<!--EDIT|alyeska338|April 14 2002,14:47-->

Ken Water's "Pet Loads" book. &nbsp;

Not only does it cover every cartridge (and use for it) used in North America (and many European), but it also covers the guns that are most associated with the round. &nbsp;By far the most useful and entertaining book I have on the subject.

Charlie

Teddy Rooseveldt's book about his safari - title escapes me just now. &nbsp;Great stuff!

Hello everybody. I would say the most enjoyable and influencial books that I have read in my hunting/shooting career would be (maybe not in this order) two books by Paul A. Matthews, "Forty Years with the 45-70" and "sixty Years of Rifles a Personal Odyssey"(both are a must for you 45-70 shooters)."Hunting with the Twenty-Two" by C.S.Landis."A Rifleman Went To War" by H.W. Mc Bride and of course last but not least "$$#@, I Was There!" by the great Elmer Keith.

There are so many good ones!
Kenneth Fuller Lee's Big Game Hunting and Marksmanship.

Elmer Keith's Rifles For Large Game.

Fremantles The Book of the Rifle.

Maul Matthews Forty Years with the .45-70 is indeed a good one, along with any of his mentors works - Dr. Henry Stebbins.

Elmer Kieth's Sixguns - It got me started in Handguns.

Capstick's "Death" series.

I'll second McManus..... from trading skills to the art of delay, he's been an influence in almost every area of my sportsman life. <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo-->

cast-n-blast,

You're costing me a lot of money----I've been to Amazon.com three times already! I've obviously lead a sheltered life out here amongst the cows and piglets.

Dan

Dok

three ways to save yourself a TON of money.

The Advanced Book Exchange. Use and new book dealers from around the world. Use any search engine and type in abe.

Powells.Com They are on abe, but not with all of their books.

The Firearms Classic Library, part ofr the NRA.
This is a well kept secret, you will see why when you price the used books from this series on ABE. The books cost thirty dollars with a one year money back guarantee.
Titles such as Keith's Rifles for large game which had not been reprinted are avai;able with a nice leather binding and a new forward by Jim Cassada. Dr. Cassad doesnt aways give a 110% effort, but most of the new introductions are an interesting addition to the book.

Anyway, all that money you save can go into more books!!

Howdy Everyone,
* * * * * * * * * * *Many of you have mentioned other favorites of mine. I believe I have every one of Paul Matthews books, with a particular fondness for 'Forty years with the .45-70'.And yes I have *pet loads . I'm guilty as charged for owning Mcmanus' books also.
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * DOK, not to worry, you got some payback. That cowboy drive book sounds pretty enticing. Going to have to look that one up.

* * * * * * * * * * It's GREAT talking to all you good people out there. It's nice to know there are other people out there with same tastes, likes, and dislikes as myself.

* * * * * * * * * * Have any of you been dragged to the wife's work party and felt you had nothing in common with anyone there ? You mention guns or hunting and everyone stops talking, stars or walks away.

Dok

You can save a TON of money by going to the Advanced Book Exchange, just type in abe in any search engine.
Used book dealers from all over the world list there.
I have never been stung on abe, knock on wood!

Powells.com is another, they list on abe but not all of their stuff is on there. When you see how many stores they have you will see why.
They will get a book from the shelf and talk to you about it for hours. I once spent twenty minutes on their nickle talking to a lady deer hunter about Francis Sell - some book store!

Go to the NRA's Firearms Classic Library. You will not regret this. The books have a one year money back guarantee, they are leather bound and come with a new intro by Jim Cassada. Not all of Dr. Cassada's intro's are a 110% effort but overall they add to the books.
Some rare books such as Keith's rifles for Large Game are in the series. Getting this book for thirty bucks - leather bound! is really something!

So, you may end up spending all the money you save but.... you will have a nice library!

William,

Appreciate the information and will give it a try.

Dan

Boy, this is a hard one!
* * *I think my favorite is Robert Ruark's "Horn of the Hunter", along with Theodore Roosevelt's "African Game Trails". Those two are certainly my favorite African books. *I also have two anthologies that I really like. One is called "Loaded for Bear" and the other is called "The Bear Hunter's Century". Both are interesting; "Loaded for Bear" has lots of different kinds of hunting stories, fiction and non-fiction. "The Bear Hunter's Century" profiles many famous bear hunters from Davey Crockett on up.
Too much good reading out there and never enough time! * * * * * IDShooter

PS- I also have all of Pat McManus' books. Even lucky enough to have one autographed since he doesn't live too far from me!



<!--EDIT|IDShooter|April 15 2002,22:36-->

Gentlemen,

Clay Harvey had written a book called "The Hunter's Rifle". &nbsp; Excellent, truly informative, and Mr Harvey coveys good hard information without it reading like stereo instructions.

Steve

I haven't checked this forum for a few days and was delighted to see this thread. I've been writing professionally for 32 years and would have to say much of my interest began with one man: Jim Kjelgaard. I discovered this author when I was in junior high and read every book he wrote. You may remember him as the author of "Big Red" and other dog stories, but he wrote a number of books about wildlife, like "The Wahoo Bobcat". It's a pity more young people aren't reading him today. I've published 11 books and thousands of articles and I can trace that genesis back to Kjelgaard (and Will James). Thanks, Mr. Iorg, for the resources you mentioned. I will have to take a look. As for contemporary books, I enjoyed all of Capstick's but I am still looking for the books that contain the technical with the artistic (I tend toward the artistic). I'll have to look through my library and see what pops up.

Sunday Creek

Someone mentioned Clay Harvey above. Mr. Harvey (I'll bet he would laugh at that ) is a rare &nbsp;man who seems to enjoy crafting a story with words. When he gets carried away with the game he laughs at himself.
Harvey blends the technical with a simple style. Similar to Layne Simpson.
I have wondered if he is the son of the Clay Harvey of '50's? Bored through cylinders and shot loads etc.

ID,
Since it has been many, many moons ago that I read Ruark, I had forgotten all about his great books. *He is definitely one of my favorite writers. *The Old Man and The Boy, I guess is my favorite of his. *Another worthy of mention is any of Havilah(sp?) Babcock's books. *Jaybirds Go to #### On Friday and I Don't Want To Shoot An Elephant are simply outstanding. *Hunting and Fishing From A to Zern by Ed Zern is also delightful.

Alyeska,
&nbsp; &nbsp; I have The Old Man and the Boy also. What a super book! Imagine how much better this place would be if all boys had an "old man". &nbsp; &nbsp; ID

My first hunting book is still the best. "Man-Eaters of Kumaon" by Jim Corbett. *The dust cover is long gone and the binding is a bit loose, but I still pull it out now and again. Capstick praised the book and Keith got his .450/400 Jeffery.

Keith's "Sixguns" was real handy when I got my first sixgun and when I started casting.

Bye
Jack



<!--EDIT|Jack Monteith|April 16 2002,16:49-->

Here is one I guarantee to be entertaining:

'Wild and Woolly &nbsp;- An Encyclopedia of the Old West'

by Denis McLoughlin

Thorough and thoroughly entertaining. Reprinted in 1995 by Barnes and Noble Books.

I have scores of history books on the West and this is my favorite.

Another favorite:

Captured by the Indians
15 First Hand Accounts, 1750-1870

edited by Frederick Drimmer

(Dover, 1985)

Incredible!

I've watched this thread with anticipation and have been reminded of good reading, and have taken note of some new additions to a growing list of "must reads". &nbsp;A great parade of excellent titles to be sure.

I guess I'll have to say the The Bible is my first and foremost all time favorite book! &nbsp;

And having to pick a book within a book, that favorite would have to be the book of Isaiah. &nbsp;It is is almost a reader's digest condensed version of the Bible in itself, containing 66 chapters (the Bible has 66 books), and covers creation through the second coming of Christ. &nbsp;A richness of history, promise, and prophecy rolled all into one!

Bye for now,

God Bless,

Marshall

Marshall,

I'd suggest your preferenced book is closely tied to the subject of this web site -- it teaches you to be a straight shooter.

Dan

Marshall - &nbsp; We're deviating from the theme, but I would agree with you on the Bible. My favorite book(s) would be 1 and 2 Samuel. The life of King David just continues to amaze me. Now, looking back at the two history books I recommended -- again, both of them are deviations from the original thread -- those first person accounts of people captured by Native Americans are incredible and there are several amazing Christian testimonies in the stories. One man's ultimate torture was they took his Bible away from him. Another Christian man listened to his friend being burned alive and there is a riveting story of a tribe of headhunters off the Washington coast. I love these books that were chronicled before "historic revisionism and political correctness" began rewriting history.

Alex,
I can't tell how important perfecting the "Modified Stationary Panic" procedure has been to me. *<!--emo&:p--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo-->

Mr. McManus has introduced me to countless invaluable terms and instructions that I use heartily on nearly every outing. *From "ARP" to building grasshopper traps, his wisdom should be inspiration to us all. *If you've ever been chased down a mountainside by an angry logging truck, his tips and techniques are essential for survival (at least of your ego).

alyeska338,

With a little effort and a lot of luck, I've gotten by not knowing how to build grasshopper traps, but "Modified Stationary Panic" procedure really has me by the throat. My little grey cells are working over time. Not knowing the specific book that contains this piece of wisdom, I went looking for a list of Mr. McManus' books and reviews of their contents. I came accross an aution that offered the following: "The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw (hbk), A Fine and Pleasant Misery, Never Sniff a Gift Fish, Rubber Legs and White Tail-Hairs (latter three titles are trpbks). All titles in great shape". &nbsp;I purchased this material for $24 + $4 shipping. Now, please don't tell me that the referenced books don't contain the "Modified Stationary Panic" procedure.

Dan

I can't remember which book it was exactly. *I think it was one of the early books, maybe Rubberlegs or Never Sniff. *Could have been "They Shoot Canoes, Don't They?" *You can't go wrong with the collection you've started. *All are great. *Never Cry Arp is hilarious also. *All are hilarious, I can never read his books without falling out of the chair.

Alex,
* * *Greetings. Pat Mcmanus is also a favorite of mine. As a long term subscriber to Outdoor Life, the first thing I read is Mr. Mcmanus' column. He has an uncanny ability to make us stop and laugh at ourselves and re-juvenate the inner adolecent in us all. Important things to make life much easier and more pleasant.

* * *From Retch Sweeney, Crazy Eddie Muldoon, His sister the Troll, and my all-time favorite, Rancid Crabtree, stop and smell the roses, but be careful, there may be an ornery bumblebee doing the same thing. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeff

I am new here but would like to suggest the Complete Guide To Handloading by Philip B. Sharpe. It is a great book!

A friend of mine who loves the outdoors, but was not raised there, had never heard of McManus so I loaned three of ther books for a trip he was going to take to Arizona by plane. &nbsp;He hates fly! &nbsp;So he saved the books for the flight. &nbsp;As the plane was loading he began to read. &nbsp;As they were taxiing he was snickering. &nbsp;As they took off and climbed to altitude he was chuckling. &nbsp;As they leveling off he was laughing out loud, to the considerable embarassement of his wife. &nbsp;Finally, one of passengers ask, "What are you reading?" &nbsp;"McManus" was the reply. &nbsp;Almost evertbody in the area nodded and laughed with him as he read passages. &nbsp;He enjoyed that flight.

I told that story to Pat McManus who laughed out loud. &nbsp;What a nice guy.

dclark

When I started deer hunting,Larry Koller just got his book in print. "Shots at Whitetails" is probably the best book on the subject.
It has influenced Me a lot.
Frank

Sixguns by Keith! Just a great book,really enjoyable to me.

"Hatchers Notebook" by Julian Hatcher appeals to the engineer in me.
"The Pistol Shooters Book" by Charles Askins is exciting in spots.

Kragman,

I agree, Larry Koller and Hayes wrote two of the best whitetail books. they have stood the test of time.

The only thing I dont agre with them on is aging meat. Great in cold areas. Not so good down here.

William Iorg,
Remember,that when he wrote that book,aging venison was the normal thing to do. That was back in 1948,and the old timers all preached aging for even 7 days. I remember,My first buck,in 1952. It was an uncommonly warm November,and I had to rent a cooler;here in New York.
I don't know any hunter who ages deer any more. I would like to hear from anyone who still does.
Frank

I know I've already put my two cents worth in, but...
I'm surprised to see only one mention of Col. Askins and no mention of talented shooters and writers like Nash Buckingham, Townsend Whelen, Skeeter Skelton. *Would have thought there to be a ton of Havilah Babcock fans out there too. *I know the reader's on this forum tend to agree with Elmer more the Jack, but haven't seen O'Connor even get an honorary mention. *I like Jack's writing style, indeed, his first fiction was very good, though have formed different opinions based on my experiences. *The same goes for Elmer too. *Elmer was just so doggone colorful though. *True Grit.

Not complaining, mind you, just curious.

Alyska,
I understood the original Post to pertain to the book that Most influenced me. That is why I only mentioned one book.
I too,appreciate Kieth,and Julian Hatcher,and O'Conner,and ,just as much,Phil Sharpe,and POA.
Frank

Yeah Kragman, I guess we are. *I've read a bunch of gunwriters say that O'Connor's Sheep Hunting was their biggest influence, or Townsend Whelen's The Accurate Rifle was theirs, or etc... *I guess I just kinda expected to these fellers mentioned, that's all. *I'm not complaining by any means, I have those books and have read each of the more than once (I've read Skeeter's Good Guns, Good Friends, Good Whiskey or something like that a dozen times or more), but none were the ones that inspired my interest in the shooting sports as much as Russell Annabel's or Jim Carmichel. *I was just curious. *Seems they've been mentioned in so many articles as the inspiration.

"Karamojo Safari" by W.D.M. Bell....excellent reading about the great Karamojo Bell - one of the first market ivory hunters.

"The Man eaters of Tsavo"....unfortunately I gave this book to someone and can't remember the author's name. He was the &nbsp;construction foreman when the Tsavo RR was built in Kenya. Had a spot of trouble w/ lions eating his employees. They made a movie with Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer about it, but any one page of the book is better than the entire movie.

I'm pretty sure these are available from Safari Press. &nbsp;

"Big Bucks the Benoit Way" by Bryce Towsley.....I'll never get to Africa, but this book is homespun and outstanding. Also,
it may be out of print. &nbsp; Krause Publications

Kragman - If one of us gets a deer early in the week up in the remote area we hunt in northern Maine, that deer will hang, by virtue of circumstances, for up to a to week. I'm not sure if that qualifies as aging to someone from my father's generation, but I think it helps w/ a big old buck. &nbsp;Have you ever had one of those ones where you couldn't even chew the gravy?

Jack who ? <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo--> *As previously mentioned, some great books and their authors have been mentioned. Some, I plan on getting soon.

I'm surprised Bob Hagel wasn't mentioned. He was an in between kind of guy between my mentor, Elmer and Jack what's his name. Meaning he wasn't totally Mr. Big Bore and momentum and Mr. High velocity. He promoted efficient cartridges and bullets for the game hunted. He wrote two great books,"Game Loads & Practical Ballistics " and " Guns, Loads, and Hunting Tips. And Alyeska 338, he hails from your home state. Highly reccomended for any handloader out there.

* * * * * * *Jeff

How in the world could I have forgotten Mr. Hagel? *He really liked the 338 too!!! *He's a fine man and a fine author. *Harold Johnson (inventor of the 450 and 500 Alaskans) lived in Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula, and though he didn't write alot, his stories are treasures... *Shame that some of the great writers aren't around anymore. *The newer guys are just too cartridge happy for my taste. *I think Annabel could spin a story and leave you with a lesson learned easier than anyone. *Most of the time you didn't realize you learned something the stories are just that great.

Mainer,
My brother-in law shot at a Doe,which ran into a narrow valley,but got confused,and came back out again. He had time to reload,and continue shooting.
She was hit,and hurting,but still running,when another Hunter put her out of her misery.
That deer was the worst venison that I have ever tasted;not only tough,but poor tasting.
But some deer taste better then others. The 5 pointer that I got this past November tasted a lot better then the 6 pointer that I got the year before.
Both were one shot kills,from the same area.Both were shot in a "Quiet Attitude",early in the morning,also. Both went to the same butcher,the
same day that they were shot.
Frank

Also, any book by Fred Webb, the Canadian outfitter. Great humor from a guide's point of view.

Kragman - early season versus late season can make a big difference. The raunchiest venison I ever had was from a big 9 pointer shot after Thanksgiving. That deer fell to a head shot and never twitched, so he wasn't too worked up by the experience which makes for poor eating - as w/ the doe you mentioned. I read thatr when they get running around there system releases glucose or something into the muscles which has a negative affect on the meats flavor and tenderness. Sorry, fellas, for getting off subject.

Well, I received delivery today of Mr. Hamilton Bowen's book "The Custom Revolver". *If you are a devotee of revolvers, this book is for you. *Ross Seyfield considers Mr. Bowen to be the "high master" of custom revolvers and I tend to agree. *Though I personally know his work is first class (I have a working gun), he is a true artist that really melds form, function, grace and beauty into whatever your imagination can dream. *His formal education includes a History and Literature degree and the man can write. *Very dry humor and unassuming demeanor. *Think hard before you do not place your order for this book.