Gun Books for Boys, Parents, and Girls...

Silvio Calabi and his team released the amazing Gun Book for Boys a couple of weeks ago. I opened it with interest; Silvio has been a fine editor and writer (last year's Hemingway's Guns, reviewed here, is a favorite) and good correspondent for years, and he was the somewhat unlikely advisor who recommended I take up yoga after I got PD-- not what you might expect of a Newton- raised coastal Maine- based shooting writer who loves double shotguns as much as I do.

I expected good but was nevertheless amazed at its breadth, depth, and good sense. It was the best primer I have ever seen. I wrote to him : "The Gun Book for Boys is the best gun book for beginners ever, whether for boys, girls, or adults. Even those who think with reason that they already know enough about guns will benefit from its organization and idiosyncratic detail not to mention its unfailing good sense-- I have written 1 1/2 gun books myself and countless articles and still enjoyed leafing through the pages... Libby swears it puts what she knows in context, historical and other, and she has been exposed to guns all her life. You may quote me!'

I then added; "...between us; strategically, was "boys" the best decision re title? As a word only,and I am utterly anti- pc, I would have preferred 'kids'..."

He must have laughed, because "strategically" he was 'way ahead of me. He responded: "Your comment about 'Boys' Book is spot- on; however this A) causes mild controversy, which is good, and B) opens the door for... The Gun Book for Girls.. which will follow The Gun Book For Parents." D'oh!

I now have my Parents which is even more practically useful, if perhaps not as full of historical nuggets, and can't wait to see Girls; the books have no repetetive filler at all, but are original from the ground up. Ten stars.

I should add that grandson Eli already has his copy (though more of an age to taste it than digest) as do my Graham nephews and their parents, and I would not be at all surprised to see remarks from Peculiar or sister Karen incoming...