@ 10:40 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterHi guys, am happy to announce the release of a new book! The below is a cut and past from the mailer which we will be sending out shortly:Many of you will have been wondering why I have been quiet this past couple of years, having not released any new data on the internet. The reason for this is that with Stephs help, I have been writing the second edition of my first book - The Practical Guide To Long Range Hunting Rifles. Whats different about the new book? Over 500 pages. More historical information to provide perspective. New information on current technologies. Optics section expanded. Rifle round up section expanded. Additional rifles included in round up section. Additional how-tos providing a bridge to Accurizing And Maintenance book. More photos. More buyer beware info and pithy comments. In order to better explain the content of the book, I need to cut through any BS marketing email nonsense from the outset. I wrote the Rifles book over a decade ago. The idea and outline for the book was given to me by our business mentor who was helping me to climb out of the hole I had dug myself following my initial period of research (see About Us section of the knowledge base). The book provided us with some immediate income and readers enjoyed the way it got to the point. The income allowed me to complete the rest of the series, delving deeper into topics, the latter books much larger than the first. Yes, the first book was easy to follow and got to the point. Though I have received some very kind comments from industry peers, perhaps the greatest accolade was a thank you email from a lady who had purchased the book for her husband. Prior to purchasing the book, she was worried that he might not read it because although he loved hunting, he suffered dyslexia and had given up trying to read as soon as he had left school. But after receiving the book, he found himself hooked and enjoyed reading it cover to cover. I dont think it gets much better than that to have truly connected with and brought joy to that reader. But time marches on. Although I was pleased to have produced something tangible, I was never completely happy with the first book. Although I worked hard at delivering an effective educational tool, comments were passed like hammer blows on steel and sometimes without enough supportive information. Along with this, is the simple fact that I have learned a great deal more during the intervening years. It was not therefore a book that I would consider a legacy, should Riley decide to put me into a retirement home next year or some such. I have also changed to some small extent as a writer with regards to prose. This somehow happened naturally via mileage, I got more growed up - or something like that. This second edition of Rifles is for all intents and purposes a complete rewrite, taking two years to complete. Where the old book was just over 200 pages, the new is over 500. I have delved much deeper into subject matter in order to educate and empower the reader. This I believe is crucial at a time when there is so much noise, too much marketing hype and so many empty promises of instant gratification. This book also has a somewhat harder edge to it. I have given my all to this edition. Those of you who know me, know that I take my commitment to humankind very seriously. Steph worked beside me throughout the rewrite, through to the very thank God its over moment of publishing. Dave Manson also read through the initial draft, checking to make sure that points were delivered clearly. I would like to say that our hunting dog was also patient with me during the rewrite but he wasnt. He was a complete asshole the whole time. The new book is available as a stand-alone product (paperback, ebook, etc.) as well as being a part of the Tools bundle and Entire Collection bundle deals. I very much hope that you enjoy this edition of Rifles and wish each of you all the very best for Christmas and the new year. |
@ 11:55 am (GMT) |
Fernando CundinRe: sounds good!Mr. Nathan,A fine pitch here. I will search for the new edition and place an order. Thank you much for this effort and very generous candid attention. Best, FC |
@ 12:03 pm (GMT) |
Joshua MayfieldRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterBEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!Maybe that's an overreaction. But maybe not. |
@ 02:15 pm (GMT) |
William BadgleyRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterJust ordered myself a Christmas present. My 1st edition is about worn out from over use. Thank you Nathan and family for all you do for us hunting/gun nuts.All the best and happy holidays ! |
@ 08:55 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterThanks for your kind words and support guys.This one includes a lot more info not only help educate the reader, but also as a means to quantify very harsh criticisms of certain products and trends. The goal as always is to empower the reader - good products, good results etc. I sent a preview of this edition to a designer / engineer who works for one of the major U.S gun companies. He and his colleagues read and enjoyed the book, agreeing with all of the key points. In his review, he stated that customers are now demanding features (possibly found on competing brands) that threaten to reduce the overall quality of future rifles (i.e. what the manufacturer spends time and money on). If his company does not meet these trends, sales drop. As he went over the numbers, it became apparent of how tight the margins are these days. The engineer hopes this book might eventually help to curtail at least some of these trends, whether driven by manufacturers or customers. It was certainly an interesting discussion. |
@ 10:16 pm (GMT) |
Magnus VassbotnRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterHi!These are really great news, both the book and the feedback. Thanks for your huge efforts. I will get myself a paper and digital copy for christmas. Cheers, Magnus |
@ 03:02 pm (GMT) |
David LenziRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterThis tome would have saved a younger version of myself some hard-earned money as well as time. I'll mark it up when it arrives, having already made it through the electronic version from cover-to-cover.The first ed was (and is) certainly a good reference, the update a worthy successor of ever greater utility. |
@ 12:26 pm (GMT) |
Ricardo LaborinRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterNathan, thank you for this long term effort, a great great read! Full of intuitive, first hand experience written by The Man in the Arena, which are the words that count. For a white-belt like me this is digital gold. Very grateful.One wonders where the Rifle and Ammo industry is going when the Second Edition mentions the word "Unfortunately" much more frequently. Saludos from Mexico. |
@ 10:39 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterThanks again guys, very kind of you to write your feedback. I have been wondering how this edition has been received, not so much concerned whether people like it, but more whether it is useful for decision making, empowering the reader etc. |
@ 11:49 am (GMT) |
William BadgleyRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterNathan rest assured this the most useful and empowering of all your books. And I own them all. It is easier to follow and more concise. Not to say the others weren't great because they were. They offer the best info I've ever come across if you seriously want to be a better marksman and care about the animals you hunt. What is different for me is it sinks into my thick skull more quickly and I don't have to go back and re-read it over and over. Plus there is a lot of new and useful information. Perhaps it is because I have read the others so much I'm becoming more teachable ? No serious shooter/hunter should be without all your books.They have lifted my game more than I ever would have thought possible. Many many thanks !!! |
@ 12:35 am (GMT) |
Ben LawRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterQuote: Nathan, thank you for this long term effort, a great great read! Full of intuitive, first hand experience written by The Man in the Arena, which are the words that count. For a white-belt like me this is digital gold. Very grateful.
One wonders where the Rifle and Ammo industry is going when the Second Edition mentions the word "Unfortunately" much more frequently. Saludos from Mexico. Nicely said Ricardo. |
@ 03:23 pm (GMT) |
Howard AudsleyRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterBook arrived yesterday. I'm up to page 125 today.Thought I knew a thing or two about rifles. What I knew wouldn't fill a thimble compared to what is in the book. Finally answers to questions I've had for a long time, but could not find anyone that knew the answer. Good news for me is i've been making some choices about some rifles lately and about 90% of them agree with Nathan's well supported advice. Now have a handy and trusted reference for future choices. Highly recommend the entire book set. Some of best info out there. |
@ 07:59 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterHi Bill and Howard, thank you so much for your kind words and also to Ben for your support. Makes it all worthwhile. |
@ 03:30 pm (GMT) |
David LandwehrRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterThanks Nathan. The book was a Christmas present to myself and a great reminder of what works and what doesn't.I wish I had referred back to the first edition when I purchased my Sako A7 in 308 2 years ago. At least I parlty listened to your advice in dropping a 3-10x44 Sightron SIII on it. Anyway, it's been a good reminder. I've pulled out the "Practical guide to long range shooting" again to go back over that and improve my form. I can't find my hard copy of the accuriser book but I'm sure I've got it electronically somewhere. Looks like I'll get to work on the A7 and my form and see what I can come up with. Love your work Steph and Nathan and that you share your knowledge to help us all improve. |
@ 07:08 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Long Range Hunting Rifles - Second Edition, Nathan FosterThanks David, that was very kind of you. |