Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Hell, I'm Still Here!--by Jon Sundra

I know there are many Jon Sundra fans on the Campfire, who might be interested to know he just published his first book--with a title that's obviously a play on Elmer Keith's autobiography. It was published by Safari Press, and includes a good-sized section of color photos from 50 years ago to the present.

Jon and I have been friends for quite a while, but he's been in the gun-writing business far longer, since he decided that's what he wanted to do in his 20's, while I kind of stumbled into it in my 40's. Subtitled "Fifty Years a Gunwriter," the book takes you from breaking into the business to his hunting trips all over the world.

While the book is all very interestng, among the most fascinating parts to me were his encounters and adventures with other writers of the era. One section contains entire chapters on various gun-writers. The first is Elmer Keith, andits very interesting that Jon and Elmer got along great, despite having very different upbringings, with Elmer growing up in a rural family as a meat-hunter, while Jon's family didn't hunt, and he prefers fine cuisine (which he's very good at cooking) to Elmer's basic subsistence hunting. But they were kindred spirits in other ways.

There are also chapters on Jack O'Connor (who Jon didn't get along with as well as Elmer, but once sent Jon a nice note on his writing, reproduced in the book), Charles Askins, Bob Milek and Bill Jordan, along with personal encounters with various oter writers of a previous era. They're all interesting to those of us who grew up reading gun/hunting magazines in those days.

Then there are the hunting stories. Jon's gone on more than 100 hunts in other countries around the world, including taking all of the African Big Five with, as I recall, single-shot rifles. He's been on so many hunts in the U.S. he can't count 'em, and long been an avid wildcatter--and sports car nut, a combination not unknown in the business. He's the only gun writer I know who drives a Lamborghini....actually, several Lamborghinis.

Ought to be worth the read, thanks for the heads up!

D

Sounds interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

I knew he was into fine sports cars. I liked the Jon Sundra Classic stock that Boyd carried for a time. Boyd later dropped that offering. I really like the shape, built a 6.5-284 Krieger/Pre-64 using that stock. Wish it was still available.

DF

I got my copy yesterday and have really enjoyed his stories. The chapters on the old time writers was especially interesting. I started reading Sundra back in the 70's when he was with Shooting Times and he's still got it!

Ken

Always liked Jon's writing. Exchanged a couple e-mails with him, and he was very pleasant and helpful. I'll have to pick up that book.

Thanks JB. I’ve got to check onit.

Thnx M D

I’ve been a fan of JRS since the 70s EVEN tho he cost me a lot of money.
He’s the reason I have a 6mm Rem, 7 mm RM & 8 mm RM. I learned a lot from his writings and experiments.

I was reading JRS and the others you mentioned before I knew who you were. That was only because of the time differential you mentioned
about your beginning later. Actually I had almost dropped all my Mag subscriptions before I ever knew who you were.

Thnx for this heads up. I’ll be looking for my copy ASAP.



His name doesn't show in the pic but J R S wrote that intro of the Rem Big 8.


Jerry

There are some writers that disappear and you don't notice it, I noticed Jon wasn't around.

Have it on order,supposed to be here Monday.

I wish I could have met him and some of the other writers he wrote about. Order is in. Thanks

Jerry,

Well, there's another "time differential" between me and Jon aside from when we started gun writing: He's about a dozen years older than I am. Put that together with him starting to regularly write for gun magazines in his late 20's, and me not starting until around 40, and you get a gap of about 25 years!

I had no idea writing gun articles paid so well!

Jon has other gigs...

DF

I just ordered a copy. The Safariland write-up mentioned George Nonte, whom I had forgotten.

I'll be ordering one too.

Jon is one of my favorite writers, and most responsible for getting me hooked on 7mm cartridges.

So much so that I even built a really nice custom 700 in his wildcat 7mm JRS. Probably the one rifle I most regret trading away.

Guess I'll be spending a couple more bucks today.

Thanks for the lead John,

I've spent more of my limited retirement check now!

Geno

Saw the name bob milek man he was one hell of a gun writer too. Loved his articles on the 243 Winchester.

Didn’t get along with O’Conner......hell, that’s reason enough to buy his book! memtb

JOC was a self-made man and worshipped his creator, or so it seemed to me.

Jon on the other hand was a great writer.

And as for JB, how in the world did you find time to write so much when you started in your 40's.