I, Sniper (Stephen Hunter)

[Walkeraviator]

My wife wont watch movies with me because i pick apart anything wrong involving firearms, aviation, or cars....it makes her pretty angry.

[Solus]

I haven't head anyone point out the Carl Hitchcock, the prime suspect in I, Sniper, and Carlos N. Hathcock II, the who's record matches Hitchcock's in the book.

Hathcock is included in the list of snipers linked to above.

As Hitchcock did in the book, Hathcock pulled seven other Marines from his burning vehicle and was severely burned, which ended his sniper career.

I have read much about Hathcock and have found nothing indicating he received royalties from any product or that he sold autographs;  that would seem out of character for him.  He refused the Silver Star for his actions in pulling his crew mates from the burning vehicle, stating anyone of us would have done it.

He did have a sniper rifle named in his honor, M25, I think, called White Feather, which was his trademark.

He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and died in 1999.

Sorry if this is common knowledge here, but wanted to present the legend behind the character in several of Hunter's books.

[Snake45]

I don't believe Ted Turner shoots in the cowboy fantasy leagues, either. (And a quick googling turned up no evidence that he does.)

It's called fiction for a reason. 

[flynlr]

pretty darned ticked off that I will now have to wait so long for another Swagger book. this me getting a book and taking 1 day to finish it is starting to get on my nerves..errrr mr hunter could you do  3 or 4 of these a year please ,,,,?

[Solus]

I don't believe Ted Turner shoots in the cowboy fantasy leagues, either. (And a quick googling turned up no evidence that he does.)

It's called fiction for a reason. 

Snake, wasn't complaining about any inaccuracy in the story, just giving information about who was the real life person portrayed here.

And since so much of the real life person was used, I did wonder where fact and fiction ended, that is all.

I am familiar with Carlos Hathcock's history and some what of the last years of his life.  I was just wondering if, indeed, he was more attention seeking than I had been aware of.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

 Solus, My understanding is that he was a very private person who actively avoided attention and was somewhat embarrassed when it found him

[Walkeraviator]

So I am 1/4 way through the book and am loving it.  The author does mention that a book was written about Carl Hitchcock named Marine Sniper.  This is correct.

I read Marine Sniper:93 Confirmed kills years ago.  It is an excellent biography of Carlos Hathcocks time as a Marine sniper.  It is authored by Chrles Henderson as best i can recollect off the top of my head, and a sequel to it called Silent Warrior is not quite as good, but contains some good stories as well.  You guys should all read those.

As for I Sniper, Mr Hunter has done it again, captured my attention to the point that I spent 90% of my 12 hour shift reading (dont worry, my job includes doing absolutely nothing unless my pager goes off...im not a lazy a$$)