Ricochet: Confessions of a Gun Lobbyist | 
 enlarge | Author: Richard Feldman
Publisher: Wiley
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
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Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 414404
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.2
ISBN: 0471679283
Dewey Decimal Number: 323.43
EAN: 9780471679288
ASIN: 0471679283
Publication Date: October 26, 2007
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Product Description
Ricochet
Confessions Of A Gun Lobbyist "Ricochet tells the truth. With each page I can hear the echo of footsteps down the Rayburn Building's marbled halls as Feldman tells the intimate story few know and even fewer survive."
—Jack Brooks (D-Tex.), former Chairman, U.S. House Judiciary Committee "Ricochet casts an eye-opening spotlight on the shadowy world of behind-the-scenes gun politics. Is it accurate? Absolutely! I was there."
—John Aquilino, former Director, NRA Public Education "Ricochet is right on target. Feldman's behind-the-scenes memoir vividly describes America's firearms debate and struggle to win in extraordinary detail. I thoroughly enjoyed it."
—John W. Magaw, former Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Ricochet September 7, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Poorly written and interesting only to those of us who have been inside this fight. Feldman (a likeable enough guy in person) makes the ridiculous case that the NRA is TOO tough, when in fact, the NRA has folded and sold out gun owners time after time after time. The book is mostly a series of excuses for Feldman's role in some of those sell outs and comes across as whiney and childish. Much of it is just not believable, like when Feldman "recreates" conversations he had with people 20 years ago in amazing detail. Don't waste your time unless you are a working pro in the gun rights movement. It's almost unreadable.
 Every NRA member should read this book August 17, 2008
Title pretty much says it all. It has been clear to me for years as an NRA member that there were many fat cats running a supposedly non-profit organization solely to provide themselves w/ a good living, to the detriment of the rank and file membership and the avowed objective of preserving our constitutional rights [all of them, not just one as the media likes to portray.] This very entertaining read, in the form of the "I was there & this is the real story behind the events" should be required reading by everyone who cares about the future of the shooting sports worldwide. The truth hurts, but it also will set you free.
Enlightening but.... May 23, 2008
I heard an interview with Mr. Feldman on the radio and this piqued my interest in reading the book. I am the owner of 2 Glocks, possess a concealed carry permit and am not an NRA member nor do I have any interest in joining the organization. I think reading the book confirmed my disdain with the lobbying organization as well as pointing out the weakness in the case made by many on the gun control side of the debate.
If I am disappointed in any way with the book it is in the fact that Mr. Feldman should have, in my opinion, offered some insight into what he thinks would be tangible ways to bridge the gap between gun control advocates and gun enthusiasts. He spends a fair amount of time criticizing both sides but does not really touch on what he thinks would be more effective ways of squelching the conflict and doing more to keep guns out of the hands of those who are more likely to use them to commit acts of violence.
For example: In my opinion, anyone who has been committed for a psychiatric evaluation or who takes prescription drugs for depression, bipolar disorder, etc. ought to be flagged by the Instacheck system and be required to pass a higher standard before being allowed to buy a firearm. It would not be an absolute barrier but a requirement to get more information. This might have prevented the shootings at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University (and others) which were carried out with legally bought weapons by disturbed young men with known psychiatric issues. I think a career gun industry advocate and lobbyist as Mr. Feldman ought to have offered his constructive opinion on issues such as this. It would have made Ricochet a more powerful work.
a snapshot of history January 10, 2008
I found Ricochet: Confessions of a Gun Lobbyist a quick and interesting read. Richard Feldman provides a snapshot of a piece of history in the push and pull in the development of public policy in our pluralistic society. I gave this as a Christmas gift to my sons Lt. Scott Mayberry, USMC and Tim Mayberry so they could reflect on the excitment of life in the nation's capital.
-- Richard Mayberry, McLean Virginia
A very fine book on ins and outs of lobbying December 18, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Sorta like old home week for me...
I'd quite agree you can't judge this book by its press or blog reviews. The press naturally picked up on Richard's criticism of NRA fundraising and expenditures, and the bloggers (except me, who refused to blog without reading it) reacted to that. Both made the book seem antigun, when it's very far from that. As I would have guessed, because I last saw the author at the private ceremony to dedicate the bronze of Harlon Carter: Harlon's family would not have singled him out for invitation unless he was respected by them.
The book is exceptionally clearly written, and definitely a page turner. I think I took one break from reading its 300+ pages. If anyone wants to see what it's like to be a lobbyist, this is the book for them. Just one episode: at one point NY Gov. Mario Cuomo holds a tense meeting with the author and others, and tries to break the ice by deliberately sitting on a whoopee cushion. It didn't go over very well...
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