Book Review: Fireworks (Cooper, 1980)

The first volume in Colonel Cooper’s series of autobiographical reminiscences, philosophical essays, political observations, firearms instruction, and spiritual appreciation for the grand gift of life. FireWorks, originally published in 1980, includes essays published in magazines like True, Toros, Soldier of Fortune, Guns and Ammo, Guns, Road and Track, and Westways Magazine (a car/travel magazine) from the 1950’s through the late 1970’s.

It’s available in several editions, paperback and hardback. I picked up a Gunsite Press edition at a used bookstore along my drive to YeagerFest in January. Upon my return I found a second, shrink-wrapped copy purchased directly from Cooper’s family in my stack of “books to read”. Copies are still available from Amazon and ABEbooks and ebay. There is an incorrect listing on the Internet Archive claiming a digitized version of the book is available for free there, but the file is for Tappan on Survival. Some of the essays in Fireworks were published in Tappan’s Survival Newsletter, and Tappen wrote the foreward for Fireworks.

John Dean “Jeff” Cooper was recognized as the father of what is commonly known as the Modern Technique of handgun shooting, and one of the 20th century’s foremost international experts on the use and history of small arms. Cooper was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II he served in the Pacific on the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), and then was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, resigning his commission as Lieutenant Colonel in 1956. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University and, in the mid-1960s, a master’s degree in history from the University of California, Riverside. In 1976, Cooper founded the American Pistol Institute (API) in Paulden, Arizona (later the Gunsite Training Center). Cooper began teaching shotgun and rifle classes to law enforcement and military personnel as well as civilians and did on-site training for individuals and groups from around the world.

This book is a reflection of how journalism, in particular the craft of “gun writing” has deteriorated in the Internet era. In Cooper’s day, articles and essays were longer than a few hundred words. They went deeper into topics and tell longer stories than can be presented in short videos, with better structure and content than 3 hour “bros-chatting” podcast can provide. The book showcases Cooper’s talent as writer and storyteller, with a mix of essays and stories on topics ranging from terrorism, hunting, military combat, gunfighter mindset, politics, riflery, auto racing and more.

Chapters

    1. The Deadly American – a philosophical essay about the mindset of the killer-hero, who is (according to Cooper) not necessarily a criminal, nor a soldier, nor a policeman. Cooper describes that person as “someone who simply does not hold the lives of adversaries to be particularly important, who is highly skilled with weapons and enthusiastic about their use, who does not prey upon society and usually obeys its laws, but whom it is very dangerous to thwart.”
    2. The Man Who Knew How it Was – is a fictional account of a conversation between boy fascinated with TV westerns of the late 1950’s, and his uncle, who was old enough to have known real old West gunfighters.
    3. Open Letter to a Legislative Hoplophobe – One of many political articles Cooper wrote speaking directly to gun control supporters.
    4. Get Charlemagne! – The story of Congressional Medal of Honor winner Herman Henry Hanneken.
    5. The Trip Home – A well written story about a Marine returning home after WW2.
    6. To An American Serving in Vietnam – A short essay
    7. Home of the Brave – An essay about bullfighting
    8. Inferno on Foot – Hiking the Grand Canyon
    9. Venison Harvest – A deer hunting essay
    10. A Rhineland Roebuck – Roebuck hunting story
    11. The Fall of the Wild – Another hunting story
    12. Aguardientes De Agave – History and recipes for Tequila drinks
    13. The First Race – Essay/story about a driver’s first auto race
    14. Travels With Corvy – Another racing story
    15. Attention from the Left – A story about danger in Latin America during a Cooper teaching trip.
    16. Nocturne in the Ten Ring – Story of conflict/military adventure in the West Indies
    17. Mental Conditioning for Combat – The classic “color codes” decorated by anecdotes and commentary
    18. “We Have to Disarm the Citizens of this Country” – another short political article
    19. What is “Accuracy”? – Discussion of rifle shooting skill and equipment
    20. Ballistic Wampum – Recommendations on which calibers and specific rounds to keep on hand for barter goods.
    21. Rainbow’s End – African hunting tale
    22. Baby – about Cooper’s famous rifle
    23. Rhodesian Elegy – About Cooper’s trip to Rhodesia, with commentary about its history and politics
    24. Kriegsoberst! – WW2 German military flying ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel
    25. Wegener – 1970’s terrorism

    Cooper’s writing is in the tradition of Hemingway, but also the pulp writers of the 50’s and 60’s that wrote for “men’s adventure magazines”. Articles from those classic magazines are being curated and released by the good folks at Men’s Adventure Quarterly in issues like this one.

    It’s a style of writing, and an outlook on the world, that is different from what is common in the modern era, even in the gun culture and among gun writers. I’ve read many of Cooper’s books and compliations of old Gunsite newsletters. This book is a great overview of the depth and breadth of his writing ability and insight into a much wider range of subjects.

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