Craig K. Collins’ THUNDER IN THE MOUNTAINS is not only a memoir, but also a perceptive history of gun culture in America. Bravely taking on the timely issue of gun violence, Collins ushers readers down an often overlooked way of life where guns are revered household items. Though the narrative is intertwined with the history of the gun, his prose is neither pro- nor anti-gun, choosing instead to convey an honest, immediate history of the gun and its surrounding culture, allowing readers to make up their own minds about this powerful weapon.

The book begins with an affectionate story about a hunting trip Collins took with his father, brother and stepbrother in the 1970s. With lush descriptions and strong familial bonds, it is difficult not to get swept up in the hunt along with Collins and his family. This attraction ends quickly, though, when Collins accidentally shoots himself in the foot. Combining a heartfelt account of the shock and pain with a cold, detached description of the mechanics of the gun, he creates a vivid narrative that nearly overwhelms. Though many would be quick to call this accident a perfect example of irresponsible parenting, as Collins was only 13, it is important to note that he was well-versed in gun safety and training. For him, as with many of his peers and neighbors, the gun was a “constant companion,” and accidents, though tragic, were inevitable. Fortunately for Collins, his family was quick-thinking and cool, keeping him safe for eight hours before he could reach a hospital, where doctors were able to repair his foot.

"Though the narrative is intertwined with the history of the gun, [Collins'] prose is neither pro- nor anti-gun, choosing instead to convey an honest, immediate history of the gun and its surrounding culture, allowing readers to make up their own minds about the powerful weapon."

This would not be the only gun-related tragedy Collins would face before adulthood. In short, highly suspenseful chapters, he relays the stories of a classmate who was disabled when he shot himself in the head, and of another who accidentally killed his brother. In between these, he offers brief glimpses into history, based on fact but brought to life with his lyrical flourishes. His chapter about the Indian chief Black Hawk and the senseless slaughter of Native Americans by our ancestors is particularly harrowing. Throughout each tale, it never seems as though leaving guns out of the equation would have been an option, especially given the rugged independence of the Western way of life. Alternating chapters between the 1970s and the West’s frontier days, Collins shows that the law has always operated a bit differently there, surrounded by dangerous animals and mostly left to operate on its own. Still, it is difficult to read such vivid accounts of slaughter and accept that young teens are still handling these powerful weapons today.

Moving forward, Collins uses his gunshot wound as a sort of backbone, showing how it continues to affect him today, if not physically, then at least emotionally and mentally. His shocking conclusion proves that gun violence continues to find him, as much as he tries to avoid it. Though he clearly respects firearms --- their mechanics, their power, their beauty --- he astutely recognizes that nothing touched by a gun can ever return to its original state. For some, this is the reason to avoid guns altogether, but for many Americans, it is the reason the gun has earned such a godlike reputation.

Despite what its subtitle suggests, THUNDER IN THE MOUNTAINS is not just a “gun” story. Hidden between the stories of gun violence are raw, unflinchingly honest coming-of-age anecdotes from Collins’ youth. He relays stories of spying on the local brothel women as they sunbathed with the same calm, honest voice that he uses to discuss guns, a trait that is both respectable for its honesty and frustrating for its aloofness. Though some of his stories distract from the main subject, his knack for storytelling shines through, making even his more tangential chapters delightful to read. I must admit that I initially found his short chapters difficult to navigate, but as the suspense grew and grew, I found they contributed to my reading.

It would be easy to say that reading about a 13-year-old involved in an accidental shooting is enough to turn one off to guns permanently. Unfortunately, the book shows that the gun, though terrifying and dangerous, had an important role in America’s creation --- a role it continues to take in small towns like Collins’. In his narrative, the gun is its own character, affected by America’s changing attitudes even while it affects Americans themselves. Though Collins tells a personal story, refusing to take a side in the gun debate, THUNDER IN THE MOUNTAINS remains cautionary, offering readers an oft-ignored perspective and allowing one to make an informed decision about firearms.