A different time, but killing people for fun wasn't part of the equation 100 years ago. Or any other time unless you're a sicko.

As for his claims, I haven't read his books, so I don't know that he didn't, so I can't answer yes or no. I have read what others say who have read his books and his lust to kill, which is so universally noted by those people, it can't be discounted. I don't think he himself discounted it, in fact. This wasn't back in the Dark Ages or during the reign of Vlad the Impaler, it was 60 or so years ago. So the "different time" thing just doesn't have any weight.

Perhaps the saddest thing is he apparently WAS unrepentant, which pretty much insured his place in hell.

I'm surprised that anyone would defend this guy in the face of all those who knew him who called him an asswipe. Apparently the ability to write a paragraph gives immunity from criticism.

Not many problems you can't fix
With a 1911 and a 30-06