Review by Larry S. Sterett Contributing Editor
CLASSIC O’CONNOR, edited by Jim Casada. ©2010. Published by Sporting Classics, PO Box 23707, Dept. TGM, Columbia, SC 29224. Price: $35, plus shipping. Available at most bookstores, or by phone: 800-849-1400.
This reviewer grew up with Jack O’Connor, or rather reading his stories, his Shooters’ Problems department, and his regular column, such as “The .257—an All-rounder” in the April 1946 Outdoor Life issue when he was the Arms and Ammunition editor for that publication. During that time “the man” even answered a couple of this “youngster’s” letters asking questions relating to rifles.
This 432-page hardbound volume features 45 of the O’Connor stories as they appeared in either Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, or Petersen’s Hunting. (The facing page for each adventure features a relating sketch by Ron Van Gilder.) Even if they were read in the original publication, reading them again is as enjoyable as it was the first time, and possibly even more Following a tribute to “Mr. .270,” and a remembrance by his son, Bradford, this literary adventure digest is divided into four sections. Each section features a brief introduction with facing page sketch. The first three are devoted respectively to hunting American big game, upland birds and waterfowl, and African game and beyond. The final section, Guns, Guides & Good Hunting, is comprised of eight great miscellaneous stories, including one each on the .270 Winchester and .30–06 Springfield cartridges.
In addition to the Gilder sketches, this work contains 16 pages of photographs, color and black and whites, showing O’Connor from age 3 in 1905 to his British Columbia Stone’s ram hunt in 1973.
(This last photo graces the back cover of the dust jacket of this enjoyable volume.) Most of the photos were courtesy of Eldon “Buck” Buckner, whose Afterword is a fitting tribute to Jack and Eleanor O’Connor. (The Afterword also provides information on the Jack O’Connor Hunting Heritage and Education Center located in the Hells Gate State Park in Idaho. Most of the O’Connor trophy collection is on display, along with other memorabilia.) For pure hunting adventure reading pleasure this is the book to have. The stories are just as enjoyable as any written by Hemingway or Ruark, they cover a wider variety of game species, and they need not be read all at one time.
