I, Sniper (Stephen Hunter)

[tombogan03884]

It kind of picks up where "Hot Springs" left off. But the CIA guy is from "The Master Sniper", and Speshnev is from "The Spanish Gambit" both are very early books that do not involve any Swaggers and you are not missing any of the back story if you can't find them.

[Snake45]

I'd like to see more stories about Earl, his Father, of course Bob Lee's daughter has been around guns all her life......

I think we'll eventually see some Nicky books. In this last one, he set up several characters for possible spinoff books or series.

[Snake45]

It kind of picks up where "Hot Springs" left off. But the CIA guy is from "The Master Sniper", and Speshnev is from "The Spanish Gambit" both are very early books that do not involve any Swaggers and you are not missing any of the back story if you can't find them.

Agreed. Those two are the weakest Hunter books.

Have you read The Day Before Midnight? No Swaggers in it, but a ripping good yarn nonetheless.

[tombogan03884]

Yes, I read "Second Saladin" as well. I've been keeping an eye out for "Dirty White Boys" but have not found it yet, It isn't a Swagger book but gives the background for one of the Characters in "Black Light".

[Snake45]

Great interview with Hunter in the new issue of American Rifleman. And a hint that he'll be writing for them in the future! 

[Sponsor]

[DonWorsham]

I've been keeping an eye out for "Dirty White Boys" but have not found it yet, It isn't a Swagger book but gives the background for one of the Characters in "Black Light".

The Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, OH, has several copies available.

[tombogan03884]

Thanks Don, I already made a deal with 1911 Junkie to swap my  "The Master Sniper" for his "Dirty White Boys"

[1911 Junkie]

Thanks Don, I already made a deal with 1911 Junkie to swap my  "The Master Sniper" for his "Dirty White Boys"

Pending "rediscovery" of 1911's copy. 

[Walkeraviator]

I gotta say, I picked up Point of Impact after watching "Shooter" and have been hooked on teh swagger characters since.  To this date 47th Samurai is my favorite, even without the guns, with Havanna a close 2nd.  This will be next for me as I have already started reading The Black Cross by Greg Iles.  Its kinda lengthy and i dont get to read much, so it might be a while, but this is on my list now for sure.

[r_boyette]

Hunter usually makes one groaner gun mistake in every book, but I didn't find one in this one (I WAS reading it fast, though). Closest I found was he made several references to "three ounce" trigger pulls on sniper rifles. That sounds light to me. I'd think one pound might be closer.

I don't have any experience with "pro" sniper rifles, but I have a Rem 700 with about a two-pound trigger on it and it's a little scary. Maybe I'm just used to heavier.

One thing that drives me crazy in movies/books are the mistakes concerning guns and such. That being said, "I, Sniper" has contained the fewest mistakes that Ive seen in a book/movie. The "three ounce" trigger pull is definetly a mistake. Ive never even heard of a benchrest shooters using a pull weight that ridiculously light. From most of my reading, 3 pounds would be more correct. Aside from that, the only other mistake that jumped out at my was the Anto Grogan character using a twist-type throttle on his Honda Foreman ATV(motorcycle throttle) when they use a thumb throttle. I realize thats getting extremely nit-picky, and i have to say i really enjoyed reading a book that was obviously meticulously researched. Im almost finished with the book and being is it is my first Stephen Hunter novel, it has definetly been an awesome read.

I guess being around guns my whole life has left me shaking my head at almost every action movie ive ever seen. The "Sniper" movie starring Tom Berringer was really hard to watch as u can tell the scenes and dialogue were written by someone with little or no knowledge of firearms. I hate to listen to the dialogue between Berringer's character and the other guy. Two characters that would have that level of firearms knowledge definetly wouldnt have to "over"-explain the ins and outs of shooting as they do. Of course Im sure thats more for the benefit of the audience as im sure a big percentage of them know very little of firearms or marksmanship.

+1 for Stephen Hunter!!!