Book Recommendations

[MartyZ 693]

I would like recommendation for books, primarily precision shooting, concealed carry, use of force.

Mods, maybe we can pin this and start of collection of recommended books for everyone to see in one place.

[10X 3,296]

I'll resurrect this thread with "Practical Shooting" (Brian Enos) for IPSC-type shooting, "Shooting from Within" (J. Michael Plaxco), "With Winning in Mind" (Lanny Bassham) and either "Successful Shooting" (Bill Pullum and Frank Hanenkrat) or "Position Rifle Shooting" (same authors) for 3-position rifle.

For precision pistol, "The New Pistol Shooter's Treasury" is excellent, and free:  The New Pistol Shooter's Treasury.  I'd start with that one.

But I actually came here to recommend Ben Shapiro's "The Authoritarian Moment: How the Left Weaponized America's Institutions Against Dissent".  I just finished listening to it; my local library had it available as an audio book, and at just over 6 hours, it's a pretty short 'read'.    It's excellent; packed with facts, many of which we've heard, though not in a single compilation like this.  Occasionally Shapiro offers up a conclusion that doesn't seem to be supported, but it's rare, and overall an enlightening and entertaining book.

[45Doll 5,877]

This is my standard trilogy I point out to anyone who tells me they're going to purchase/retain/employ a firearm for self-defense. The first two are the latest editions. The trial accounts by Ayoob in his book are eye-opening.

The Law of Self Defense: Principles: Branca, Andrew F, Ayoob, Massad: 9781943809806: Amazon.com: Books

Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self-Defense, 2nd edition: Ayoob, Massad: 9781951115852: Amazon.com: Books

You Have the Right to Remain Innocent: Duane, James: 9781503933392: Amazon.com: Books

And this is the classic I bought in 1980, about three months after I purchased my first handgun. It's overpriced at $61 since much if it is covered in the books above. But it's a classic I loan to close friends or family. I think I originally paid around $3.00 for it. Best money I ever spent for advice, and none of the advice has changed much in 43 years.

In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection: Ayoob, Massad F.: 9780936279008: Amazon.com: Books

[Tunaman 549]

"Crime Proof" by Anthony Colandro is a must read.

[10X 3,296]

I generally don't pay much attention to the books most presidential hopefuls feel the need to write to kick off each campaign season, but I just finished Nikki Haley's "If You Want Something Done."  I was impressed.  It's fairly short; I got through the audio book version in just over 4 hours by speeding up the read back slightly.  She tells the story of 10 female leaders--some obvious choices, some kind of obscure but with stories worth telling--who inspired her.  She uses that as a device to talk through her own political background and  leadership philosophy.   It's a good read.

[45Doll 5,877]

Here is my Cesspool Recommendation Of The Month:

Slouching Towards BethleMeme: Taylor Lorenz Explains the Internet (freebeacon.com)

Just for balance.

[10X 3,296]

I finally finished "Atlas Shrugged", writer and philosopher Ayn Rand's magnum opus.  It was a slog at times, through 1800 pages, but it was also a sobering read.   Rand's family lost everything when the Bolsheviks came to power in their native Russia, and she ultimately fled, first to Europe, then to the US.   Her writings reflect the dangers of the rise of socialism and the decline of logic and rational thought.    "Atlas Shrugged" details both, in what was a fictional account of a gradual leftist brainwashing of most of the citizenry followed by a socialist takeover of US industry, completely collapsing the economy.   The book was published in 1957.   In 2023, I figure the US is about in the position in which the novel placed us roughly 600 pages into the book.  It's disturbing.

[45Doll 5,877]

2 hours ago, 10X said:

I finally finished "Atlas Shrugged", writer and philosopher Ayn Rand's magnum opus.  It was a slog at times, through 1800 pages, but it was also a sobering read.   ...Atlas Shrugged" details both, in what was a fictional account of a gradual leftist brainwashing of most of the citizenry followed by a socialist takeover of US industry, completely collapsing the economy.   The book was published in 1957.   In 2023, I figure the US is about in the position in which the novel placed us roughly 600 pages into the book.  It's disturbing.

I bought Mrs. 45Doll the Ayn Rand pentateuch off Amazon, and she blew through them in less than a month. She was of the same opinion.

It's clear by now that in general people haven't changed much over the centuries, so we're on the same downward slide as other empires. Only with the addition of widespread technology and pharmacology, the effects will be much worse.