Still trapped at home, and you’ve binge-watched the Neflix catalog bare? Looking for something to read? I humbly offer the following.
Timothy J. Mullin is an attorney in St. Louis, a lifelong shooter, and a bona fide gun expert. His books on classic old handguns by Colt and Smith & Wesson reach a gold standard. He’s an oracle of the history of guns and gunfighting in America.
Going by the motto “the best fiction is non-fiction,” his 2019 novel “Gunmen” weaves a tale of an American family whose men find themselves in harm’s way with guns in their hands over a period of decades. Tim cleverly works the classic guns of different times, and the methods of their use, with the rules and policies of law enforcement agencies of the relevant periods and patterns of criminal behavior and criminal justice attitudes of the times.
The final product shows a picture of things as they were. You’ll find some things that perhaps didn’t happen, but could have … and some things that probably did happen, with “the names changed to protect the, uh, innocent.”
Overall, a fascinating read. You’ll be reminded of a Leslie Poles Hartley quote popularized among gun people by the late Col. Jeff Cooper: “The past is another country. They do things differently there.”
You can order “Gunmen” for $22 plus $5.00 postage and handling from T. J. Mullin himself at 201 South Central Avenue, #103, Clayton, MO 63105. You might also like his collection of short fiction in a similar vein, “Gun Stories,” same price and same source.
It’d be interesting simply to contrast different agency policies as they evolved over the years. NYPD on back up guns is but one that comes to mind. Thanks Mas!
I have a few of Mr. Mullin’s very detailed and informative books on S&W revolvers which are also available from Collector Grade Publications. With all the numerous books he has written, I’m surprised he still has time to be a lawyer.
Thanks Mas, I am always looking for good book referrals, I’ll check it out. I just finished a good book you could maybe call “pre-law”?
Good Book: Shotguns and Stagecoaches – John Boessenecker Note: I listen to audio books.
The title tells you the basic premise of the book. It focuses historically on Wells Fargo and the old west. Did you know the “whip” was rarely used to strike the horses pulling the stage? It was the sound made by the whip that was used to guide the animals. Have a great day
Several of Mullin’s books are available from Amazon. However, I would find a different source for Training the Gunfighter. Amazon wants too much. Interlibrary loan would be a good alternative.
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