doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com A Book Thread?

Gary,
I think we need to all just understand that the days of the paper book are numbered. As much as that may hurt. I agree that our concept of the typical book format does not fit well with the Kindle and others. However I believe that with the new electronic formats the variations and improvements are endless. We are only limited by our imagination. The big thing that the electronis format will bring is interactive visual pics. For example instead of just a side view pic of a gun on a piece of paper you will be able to interact by rotating and viewing all sides. Zoom in and inspect details. Much of this type technology exists now only no way to display it on mobile devices up until now like an Andriod telephone. (On a recent swing to Montana Pdog hunting and sight seeing my Andriod phone was a great asset)

An electronic device is not as warm and chuddly as a book I agree, however I am in this for learning and entertainment only. Warm and chuddly can be gotten many other ways.

In addition publishing will be come easier and less costly there by opening up the exchange of knowledge and ideas to a larger cross section of the populations.

I followed MP's Gun Books thread. I found "The Gun Digest Book of the 22 Rifle" by C. Rodney James selling for $9.99 in Kindle format. The paperback copy sells for $19.99, which makes the e-copy seem a bit pricey. If you like the old Landis books about 22 rimfires, you might appreciate CRJ's efforts. I have read my tactile copy until it is getting a bit worn.

Folks have been predicting (and touting) the 'paperless office' for about 2 decades now, and the use of paper has increased dramatically during that time.(!?)

I like to make notes in my nonfiction books, in the margins or wherever convenient. Some are corrections, others are observations, still others are emphatic agreements. The tactile sensations of the book along with the uniqueness of the handwritten comments, to me, add a personal note that's impossible for any electronic media to duplicate.

Power outage? Hunting camp with no service? Computer glitch?

Please pardon me while I continue to read my paper book (grin).
Regards, Joe

I see your point clearly Lynn. I do have to ask how many Kindles I'll need to prop up the corner of my desk when the leg breaks off. (Right now it takes an old Websters Collegiate Dictionary and two old science fictions of indeterminate origin! )

Terrific thread. I suppose it's not much of one, but I wouldn't give up my paper book mini library if I had a choice. There is an e-book option that's been a nice bonus.

I don't think (?) it was mentioned here, but google books might be worth a look. Select the 'free' category and there are many classic gun book scans by many of the big names. There must be hundreds of outdoor related books from about the 20's and earlier that are out of copyright.

Just came to mind with the comments about electronic books, Craig

I don't think it will ever come to one or the other. The Kindle will not replace books as TV did not replace the radio.

Everything evolves, who would have thought that millions of folks would be sitting at a glowing screen interacting with people from all over the world.

Just think what it would be like to have the Library of Congress on-line with every book at your finger tips.

Years ago I drove 150 miles, one-way, to Anchorage to spend time sitting at the Patent library here in Anchorage, now just a click on the name or number and I have a copy of the patent.

I have to admit to having a bit of an addiction buying books on African hunting and have built up a fairly good library of guns and hunting in general. I also collect books on ballooning and airships.

But one of the most enjoyable books I've read in many years was a real surprise to me and one I learned of from a USA Today recommendation-- The Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton. I've loaned it out many times, recommended it often, and given it as a gift several times. Without exception, everyone has loved it! I'd think most of you who enjoy hunting and have a love for animals will enjoy it, as well. Do yourself a favor.

Joe,
I don't know what you do for a living however in my case This is the here and now. I am an engineer for Honeywell and I may and I mean may print a piece of paper once a day. I don't even have a filing cabinet in the traditional form anymore. All our correspondence and designs are electronic in one form or another. The majority being ProE files, PDF's and email. I check my surface mail box once a week maybe, usually empty.

I do not own a Kindle and do not intend to buy one until the second generation of this type device start to appear. I do have the app on my phone. No books yet cause haven't seen anything I need.
I have a fairly large library of books here at home that I have gathered over my life like many others and if they were all converted to electronic enhanced versions I would sell them in a heart beat because instead of the library being on the shelves it would be in my pocket and instantly avaiable for research. Instantly search able for that word, phrase or name that I know is in there but can't remember what page.

One thing a Kindle is good for and that's traveling. I can't sleep without reading a few pages, and airplanes REQUIRE a book, preferably a long, good one. Since I don't check baggage on airplanes (I buy a knife at my destination and mail it home when I leave--got lotsa nice knives that way) and live out of one carry-on, sometimes for two weeks, there isn't room for many books. The Kindle and its charger are less weight and bulk than one good book, but can hold as many as you'll ever need. In a language I can read.

Another good idea my WIFE had. NEVER would have done it on my own.

This is one of the most interesting threads I've ever participated in and I took the liberty to compile a list of book recommendations AND a list of un-attributed quotes that resonated with me.
Apologies for lack of formatting, spelling or editing corrections, and THANKS to all!
(BTW: There are about 100 things I should have been doing!!)

Book Recommendations
I have a complete set of T.R.'s hunting books. They are outstanding.
My favorite is still Waters' and Roberts' "The Breech Loading Single Shot Rifle."
Steven Bodio's "Good Guns"
Speaking of Crossman I have just scanned �The Metamorphosis of the New Springfield�
Kelver published a book of Pope letters titled 'Respectfully Yours, H.M. Pope".
Sporting Rifles and Rifle Shooting by Caswell 1920

The Rifle It's Development for Big Game Hunting S.R. Truesdell 1947
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy! Three Fat books of Swedish mystery/intrigue...
anything new by James Lee Burke
I highly recommend Lee Child's Jack Reacher Novels, they also should be read in order.
Interested in early flying in the Arctic? Find a copy of "An Old Captivity". Interested in the D-Day preparations? Find the novel called "Requiem for a Wren" or "The Breaking Wave". "Most Secret" is a book about Royal Navy ops in Occupied France. His novel In the Wet is a masterpiece of political thought and his Round the Bend will still bring tears to these old eyes.
recommend Patrick O'Brian unreservedly.
Bernard Cornwell's Agincourt (and others)
Another favorite is Havilah Babcock
Corey Ford my eyes water from just thinking about "The Road to Tinkhamtown".
anything by Donald Hamilton and specifically Line Of Fire about a gunsmith no less.
Gerald Hammond who writes about a Scottish gunsmith and hunting.
Earth Abides by George R. Stewart 1949
The White Company Arthur Conan Doyle
series of murder mysteries by ANDREA CAMILLERI
Neal Stephenson's three-volume historical epic The Baroque Cycle (Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The System of the World).
TC Boyle's masterwork WORLD"S END
Raurk's Old Man & the Boy and along the same lines Reflections, Man and Boy by Ron Forsyth are two good books that need to be read.
I keep forgetting to say I like Thomas Perry's Jane Whitefield Novels.
Barry Eisler's Rain novels are also good and I've enjoyed Tony Hillerman and James Hall as well. James Carlos Blake is also splendid, his Under the Skin is as hardboiled and authentic as they come.
also HIGHLY recommend William Fortschen's One Second After. This is perhaps the most compelling disaster novel
Farley Mowat "The Boat that Wouldn't Float"
The Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton.