|
|
Freedom Book of the Month
Email List Archive
Free-Market.Net's F r e e d o m B o o k o f t h e M o n t h
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Edited by Sunni Maravillosa. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this
and other lists, click to: http://www.free-market.net/features/lists/
* August, 2002: "Boston's Gun Bible, 2nd Edition" by Boston T. Party
* New and notable
* From the Way Back Machine
-----
Freedom Book of the Month for August, 2002:
"Boston's Gun Bible, 2nd Edition"
by Boston T. Party
Javelin Press 2002, trade paper, 800 pp.
ISBN: 1-888766-06-9
I'll admit up front to a strong bias I have when it comes to books: I
have an abiding fondness for books that provide solid, practical
information. Whether textbook, nonfiction narrative, or fiction, if a
book can teach me as well as entertain me, or reach whatever other
goals the author may have had, it gets higher points on my
valuometer (no, that isn't a scientific term I picked up from last
month's Book of the Month ;-). So, with a bow to my bias, here's
this month's Freedom Book of the Month: "Boston's Gun Bible, 2nd
Edition."
Now, before you turn away, saying, "Guns aren't my thing," this is
no mere gun manual. This could well be *the* manual for activists
in the freedom movement. Author Boston T. Party (aka Kenneth
Royce) begins the book with a section on tactics, covering
everything from the very basics to the things -- like preparing a cold-
carry gun -- that most of us don't want to think about, but should.
He concludes the book with a solid compilation of essays (his and
other authors') on the importance of defending freedom. Besides,
after reading "BGB II," guns may well become your thing, as
Boston explains why firearms are indispensable in defending
liberty, and what firearms do specific jobs best.
The second edition is not simply a housecleaning of typos and
other fussy stuff; Boston added 10 new chapters -- about 200 more
pages than the first edition. That's how much more value he's
packed into this book -- and the first edition was a powerhouse.
New in "BGB II" are chapters on rating battle rifles and carbines,
combat rifle optics, FALs, and ancillary issues to gun ownership
(reloading, caching, etc.), among others. Only one chapter was
deleted, and another, on curio and relic guns, was shortened.
Boston says his goals were to dispel common gun
misconceptions, and to compose the best gun encyclopedia for the
modern gunowner. He certainly delivers with "BGB II."
Gun owners tend to be, er, passionate about their choices of
firearms, and Boston is no exception. He has biases, but unlike
other authors I've read, he clearly admits and explains them, and
allows that others may have a differing view. For example, Boston
doesn't have much use for shotguns -- a point on which he and I
differ -- but he doesn't try to whitewash that with a lot of shotgun
information. He offers the basics and moves on. His candor makes
it easy to read through his evaluations without being wary of
agendas being pushed.
An exhaustive, well-researched reference book, a good introduction
to firearms use and tactics, and an excellent listing of resources
(both gun-specific and pro-freedom) -- "Boston's Gun Bible, 2nd
edition" achieves what I didn't think possible: it's better than the
first. And it's the same price as the first edition. If you buy only one
book on firearms, this is the one to buy. *Caveat emptor*: many
sites list "BGB," but have the image of the first edition. Make sure
you'll get the 2nd edition, marked with a yellow "Revised with 200
new pages!" banner on the upper right corner. The link below will
take you to a site that is offering the 2nd edition.
Order "Boston's Gun Bible, 2nd Edition" from
http://www.jpfo.org/store.htm. $28 plus shipping, special offers
available.
-----
New and notable
o "Copy Fights: The Future of Intellectual Property in the
Information Age," edited by Adam Thierer and Clyde Wayne Crews
Jr.
Intellectual property rights has long been a topic of debate for
libertarians, but the Digital Millennium Copyright Act thrust it into
the mainstream. This volume, which arose from a Cato Institute
Technology and Society conference, is must reading for anyone
with an interest in this rapidly changing field.
To buy "Copy Fights," go to
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1930865244/freemarketnetthe/
o "Surviving Terrorism," by Jarret Wollstein
A comprehensive guide loaded with practical information on
surviving terror, in the form of terrorist attacks and the attacks of the
American government on liberties in response to terrorism. Lots of
informational nuggets -- for example, it's illegal to transport
prescription medications in anything but the original containers --
make it immediately helpful. Resources are plentiful, the
appendices invaluable.
To buy "Surviving Terrorism," go to
http://www.isil.org/store/investing-EWR.html#book
o "Why Freedom," by Jason A. Junge
A thought-provoking treatment of freedom that brings a pragmatic
approach to its abstract philosophical roots. Wide-ranging sources
and controversial assertions will likely set you to rethinking at
least some of your views on liberty.
To buy "Why Freedom," go to
http://www1.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=13609
-----
>From the Way Back Machine
Who among us hasn't seen her, if not in person then in a movie,
magazine, or political cartoon? Does any American fail to be
moved by the sight or mention of the Statue of Liberty? She's the
epitome of what America is supposed to be -- a beacon of freedom
for individuals worldwide. In August of 1884, the cornerstone for the
Statue of Liberty was laid. She remains a proud, beautiful symbol
of freedom and a free people worldwide.
Sadly, freedom's light in the United States is flickering badly. The
September 11 terrorist acts have spawned severe, ongoing
challenges to freedom. Yet many individuals are working to resist
the encroaching tyranny even as it advances. It's vital work, but it
can get downright depressing. Inspiration seems harder and harder
to find.
I'm not much for the adornments of nations -- flags, national birds,
anthems, and the like leave me cold. But I love Lady Liberty. She
was a gift from France to the United States, and while I'm sure
some political oil was greasing the machinery, she wasn't the
result of American politicians seeking to feather their own nests.
Private funds paid for her construction and shipment. The Statue of
Liberty is also a potent reminder of what we're fighting for, and why
it's so important. It's no accident that so many who value freedom,
as well as those who only give it lip service, use her imagery.
On the anniversary of the beginning of Lady Liberty's construction,
it's a good time to get reacquainted with her. "The Statue of Liberty
Encyclopedia" is an excellent place to start. It's filled with
beautiful photographs and lots of information -- just the thing to
help shake off the chill of TIPS and the "Patriot" Act and get back
to the work of restoring liberty.
To buy "The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia," go to
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/0684862271/freemarketnetthe/
Keep doing freedom,
Sunni Maravillosa
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Please forward and copy freely, and include the following:
The Freedom Book of the Month is a feature of Free-Market.Net
http://www.free-market.net/features/bookofthemonth/
Opinions expressed are purely those of our writers and editors.
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this and other lists, click to:
http://www.free-market.net/features/lists/
To support the Book of the Month and other activities of FMN
and The Henry Hazlitt Foundation, please make a tax-deductible
donation now:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
Sunni Maravillosa
Editor, Freedom Book of the Month
http://www.free-market.net/features/bookofthemonth/
bookworm@free-market.net
*****************************************************
--
"Anarchism is founded on the observation that
since few men are wise enough to rule themselves,
even fewer are wise enough to rule others."
-- Edward Abbey
In December 2004 this page was modified significantly from its original form for archiving purposes.
, founded in 1995, is now a part of ISIL.
 |