Unrepentant Sinner by Askins.

[tom black]

I’ve never read it, always wanted too. Kind of expensive now. Is it worth it? Thanks.
Tom

 

[bogus bill]

I own the book. I was young fan and swallowed his bs. With age we learn people. Probably a interesting read but I am no hero worshiper just because a man is good with a gun, gets off on killing and admits and brags about being a "unrepentant sinner". I had a uncle like that that was a tough guy, wrestled in circus`s, wrestle a bear etc. One day he was talking tough in front of grandma. She asked him but what he would do when he met God?
He said "I will take care of him too!" I dont think so!

 

[sceva]

I have a copy somewhere; it's a good read but my take on it is that if he had not been behind in law enforcement he would have probably have been on the other side of the law. He like to kill; seemed to get himself placed into situations where he could and bragged about it.

 

[protoolman]

It's not much of a gun book if I remember. And it's not that great of a story of experiences either. I've plumb forgotten anything about it. I sold my copy pretty quick when the price went crazy. If you paid the going price you would be pretty disappointed. You want to read a really good hunting/ adventure book try one of Peter Capsticks african books. Cheap to buy and a really great writer. One you read one you will go buy more.

 

[tom black]

Thanks guys. I have all of Capsticks books. He’s an excellent writer. I’m also a big fan of Ruark.
Tom

 

[protoolman]

I havent read Ruark, maybe I will check his books out.

 

[tom black]

Capstick patterned himself after Ruark. Ruark’s best book was Horn of the Hunter.
Tom

 

[bnewberry]

Capstick patterned himself after Ruark. Ruark’s best book was Horn of the Hunter.
Tom

Ruark’s Old Man and the Boy was great too. Originally written as short stories for publication in magazines, now in a book.

 

[bnewberry]

I’ve never read it, always wanted too. Kind of expensive now. Is it worth it? Thanks.
Tom

Probably a lot of embellishment in the storytelling, but I ended up not liking the guy so much after reading it. Unlike so many of his contemporaries, Askins seemed to enjoy killing.

 

[gunzo]

Tom, hoping you've read Skeeters books. If not, they offer a lot of stories, & in a much better way than Askins. Bill Jordan was also another good one.
I used to find Jeff Cooper a hard read, but will take him 10-1 over Askins. JMHO.

 

[tom black]

Gunzo I’ve read all three of those guys books. Skeeter was excellent.
Tom

 

[bogus bill]

I just gave a friend on a another site "Gun Notchs" bt Thomas Rynning. He done it all, Arizona Ranger captain, cowboy, charge up San Juan hill with TR, Warden of Yuma prision etc. He was the real deal and all is fact and well documented. I had the book for 30 years unread and a month ago decided to read it. I couldnt put it down. The best ever!
https://www.amazon.com/Gun-Notches-Frontier-Captain-Rynning/dp/B00110WNAI

 

[Paul B]

I have the book and my take is Charlie was nothing more than a cold stone killer with a legal license to kill being in law enforcement. When reading the book, I got the feeling he actually enjoyed killing people. Massad Ayoob did a critique on the book a few years back and said Askins was a stone cold psychopath and if in law enforcement today would have been in prison after his first killing.
Paul B.

 

[Valmet]

I’m re-reading it now after a few years. Have to admit, it’s kinda hard to route for the guy as he seemed to not only enjoy killing, but kind of an all around jerk as well.

 

[GasMan]

I have the book and my take is Charlie was nothing more than a cold stone killer with a legal license to kill being in law enforcement. When reading the book, I got the feeling he actually enjoyed killing people. Massad Ayoob did a critique on the book a few years back and said Askins was a stone cold psychopath and if in law enforcement today would have been in prison after his first killing.
Paul B.

I think that is spot on.

 

[Ugly Hombre]

When Charlie Askins died one of the gun scribes put out a note to the staff that said "Hell just got fuller." Unrepentant Sinner is a tough read its like Cormac McCarthy's carnage filled Blood Meridian novel but for real, only can read it in short bursts.

Askins wrote some pretty good books though, esp. his early stuff, I am reading his "The Pistol shooter Book" now which is a deep study of the guns and shooting arts of the early 50's, it also has a lot of the stories that he retells in Unrepentant Sinner with less restraint. The book features stories about George Parker a pistolero pardner of Askins.

Reading Askins is like reading John Westly Harding's bio, Askins- imo was the same type of man, and Askins for sure had more notches on his guns than any gun writer in any era.

There is a 20 some page thread over on "The High Road" about Askins if any one is interested..

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

The only use I have for Askins is the holster he get's credit for, the Askins Avenger. Most of my holsters follow that model.

 

[Daveboone]

I think the Askins book is worth a read, just to kind of catch the time capsule of the man. I despised him by 1/2 way through. Psychopath and proud of it.
The Frank Hamer ( John Boessenecker) biography is a fantastic read, well worth the time. As well, Elmer Keiths "Hell, I was There!" is mandatory. great stories, amazing life.

 

[blackhawknj]

If Charlie had been a sniper like Carlos Hathcock, Adalbert Waldron or Chris Kyle, he have been hailed as a hero.
He killed them up close, in dark alleys, with no backup, people who wouldn't have hesitated in a minute to kill him. His biggest failing was in bragging about it.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I have a signed copy of Askins book. I liked it but it's been a long time since I read it. In one section I remember him being proud to be the first person to kill some with a 44 magnum.

 

[Robb Barnes]

I had it, read it and promptly got rid of it. Not my kind of person is all I can say.