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The Door
@ 05:11 am (GMT) |
Scott StruifA nod to Nathan for The Door! Although the blurb on his website cautions it’s not a book about rifles, which is true, in it he describes, in some detail, his evolution as a hunter/rifleman, touching on the pitfalls of certain cartridges that led him to peruse his passion for unrelenting empirical analysis. I bought the book not because I was particularly interested in his biography; rather, I wanted to lend token acknowledgment of all he has done for us. I mean, let’s face it, the “Knowledgebase” on this website is the Great Library of Alexandria for the rifle enthusiast - and it’s all free! (the history of which is covered in the book). As a young man I read Moby Dick, from which I learned more about whaling than I ever wanted to know. Similarly, The Door is the definitive work on “bouncing,” with an I-alone-am-escaped-to-tell-thee ending. I read half of The Door one evening, then got up early the next day to finish it - it’s that gripping. I would caution, however, if you’re a strong man with a daintily manicured beard, you must be prepared to laugh at yourself. |
Replies
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@ 06:38 am (GMT) |
Scott StruifRe: The DoorOops, I meant a big man with a daintily manicured beard with a 6.5 Creedmoor. |
@ 07:53 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: The DoorHi Scott, thank you so very much for your kind words. I think we got this one right, mostly due to Steph's ability to craft my history into a cohesive story. So far, all mail reviews have been similar - 'couldn't put it down' or 'stayed up all night'.I wrote the draft last year but as Steph has said to others, it read like a series of incident reports. It was just too heavy going for me to write otherwise during this first round. Following the initial draft, Steph set about reading each chapter, then interviewing me (sometimes using a voice recorder), then rebuilding each chapter. We also met up with the other doormen for the sake of fact checking and to make sure they would be OK with the sharing of this story. These were great reunions but more than anything, this was a wonderful opportunity to show my appreciation to these men. With the second draft completed, it went to Dave Manson (Manson reamers) who previously edited Small Arms. I leaned heavily on Dave simply because we needed to know how far we could push this content with regards to acceptance within our demograph. There is only so much people can take. Both Steph and I owe an immense debt of gratitude to Dave. Thanks again Scott, very much appreciated. |
@ 06:14 pm (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: The DoorA great read my friend!After discussing much of this with you over the years it was still very powerful reading and large sections would have been very difficult to write. A great insight into just some of the things that make you tick. Well done to you both! |
@ 07:45 am (GMT) |
John D. Hays - New MexicoRe: The DoorI’m a mediocre shot with a rifle, but a fair hand with literature. My opinion: Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” is full of information about whales, but it isn’t really about whaling. Nathan Foster’s book is full of information about club security, but it isn’t really about bouncing. Both authors seem to have started one kind of book and finished with another, deeper, one. Peter Matthiessen’s “The Snow Leopard” is another of these journey books that suddenly at the end you realize why they took you along in the first place. Jim Corbett’s story of his pursuit of the Tala Des maneater is another such, where you discover near the end that he was suffering at the time with a growing abscess in his skull that was likely to burst and kill him. Corbett went on this hunt for the killer tiger, alone and on foot, rather that sit at home waiting to die. At any rate, all four of these are hunting books, just not so obvious what they are hunting. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of Nathan Foster’s “The Door” and decide for yourself. |
@ 10:35 pm (GMT) |
Simon CrowtherRe: The DoorInteresting this, I saw the email about the book and decided I wouldn't read it, too touchy feely for me and part of a world that I try to avoid.I lived in Brazil for many years and decided that I just wouldn't go to places with bouncers on the door. In a place like Brazil I can understand why bouncers are required but for me they're just places that I don't want to be. It's normal in Brazil to get an exit pass when you pay your bill. One night I took my wife for a meal and the staff put all of the bill on one exit pass, they're mistake. When both of us left with one exit pass, the bouncer went mad at me. The thing is, it wasn't my mistake and neither would have been the consequences. Actually, if Nathan worked as a doorman in London, he must have know my aquaintance (not friend) John John, trained by London's top gangsters or his sometimes boss Keith at the Ministry of Sound. Keith was shot twice while doing the door at the Ministry. You're too good for all of this stuff Nathan, I'm very glad that you don't have to do this anymore. |
@ 01:55 am (GMT) |
Magnus VassbotnRe: The DoorThis was a very fascinating and well told story. Like others have pointed out, not really about bouncing, but other stuff. To me, this was mostly a story about determination, hard work and curiosity, or an open mind.Steph have done an incredible job with the story telling. What could have been a somewhat monotonous string of facts and reports, is in stead a lively story that feels like a good novel. Very inspirational. Highly recommended. |
@ 08:19 am (GMT) |
Chris MurphyRe: The DoorSimon I can assure you it’s not a touchy feely fairytale that your closed mind perceives it to be. Instead of waisting your time with ass hole comments like that try open your mine and broaden your horizons and read it before dismissing it. I’m sorry to hear of your shit experience in Brazil but this is not about you and experience.Nathan set about telling the story of how he got to where he is and how he is and he and Steph did a fucken good job at it. You say “Nathan is too good for all this stuff” why not find out why instead of shooting your mouth off. |
@ 10:36 am (GMT) |
Mike DavisRe: The Doorpeopleplease put the toys back in sandpit and put your handbags down...FFS Chris....admirable sentiment trying to stick up for Nathan...but its not needed. the trouble with written word and even more so txt lingo is that it is VERY VERY easy to miss read or misinterpret what was written or indeed meant. if you re-read that last line AGAIN.... and put it in context of...shit mate that was a bugger of a thing for you to need to do to make coin...please you dont have to do it anymore,you much to valuable/good bugger to risk life knocking heads together... which is how I took comment Chris...jumping on folk like that turns a good discussion into a handbag slinging session... I cant see touchy feely comment written anywhere other than in your post...... go have a cuppa tea and re-read whats been writted THREE times before replying....it does make a difference. Nathan...havent read book yet.....its on agenda to purchase...but not just yet..all spare $$$$ are tied up right now..... |
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@ 10:38 am (GMT) |
Mike DavisRe: The Doorsorry that should read touchy feely FAIRYTALE. |
@ 06:03 pm (GMT) |
Ben LawRe: The DoorNot something I would normally read but I was interested in Nathans got to where he is.Enjoyed reading it. Well done Nathan and Steph. |
@ 06:38 pm (GMT) |
Richard ButlerRe: The DoorWell it only took me a couple of days to finish the book. While I wouldn't wish some of your upbringing on anyone Nathan it was a fascinating read. It also struck me that it was a mainstream book if you wanted to go there. No doubt I'll read it a couple more times. |
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@ 11:02 pm (GMT) |
Simon CrowtherRe: The DoorI'm not knocking Nathans book at all, I may read it one day, I just have other things on my mind at the moment such as what is happening in New Zealand politics at the moment.Sometimes I just make that decision, it's somewhere I just don't want to go, for now at least. As I've gotten older, I often make decisions like that, maybe it's selfish but sometimes I just want to stay where I want to be. Believe me I have some demons of my own, I'd sailed around this world by the time I was 25 years old, I've lived all over the world and some people tell me I've seen too much. I had a Maori friend once that used to be a deckhand on a diving boat where I was the dive master, he used to do some bouncing in the evenings to earn extra money. He turned up to work one day and most of his teeth had been knocked out while out doing the door and so yes I am glad Nathan doesn't have to do that anymore, I certainly wouldn't want to do it. I've got a good idea as to what's in this book, I've been around a bit, I just don't fancy at the moment reading about it. |
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@ 09:39 am (GMT) |
Steph FosterRe: The DoorI would really like to thank those that have given us feed back on The Door. I am particularly grateful because this is my first foray into novel writing - though it may not be my last.Nathan and I experienced some misgivings about writing this book, simply because of who he is in the minds of so many people. We are all familiar with the idea of people being typecast. I know that as appreciative as they are of Nathan in the role of "gun expert, hunting guru" or what ever box they have put him in, many people will have no desire to see him in a different light. It is often safer to see someone as one dimensional for many and various reasons. I have long ago learned to understand that this is about how such people view themselves, and actually has no relevance to Nathan at all. Reading The Door is not compulsory. You can still enjoy the information on this website, listen to Nathan's podcasts ( another one will probably happen next weekend) and appreciate Nathan for being a very knowledgeable man who is incredibly generous in sharing his knowledge with others. If you have no inclination to read The Door, that is absolutely fine, many others have chosen to open that door and have been happy that they have done so! Thank you Chris for your defense, Nathan and I really appreciate your friendship and kind words. |
@ 11:13 am (GMT) |
william badgleyRe: The DoorSteph & Nathan,I know I wrote you personally after reading " The Door " but with this public airing of peoples feelings I'm compelled to express myself in this forum. For me the book didn't diminish Nathan, it enhanced him. To know and understand the back story of his/your lives was incredibly inspirational. Rare is the person that can live through what he did and go on to become all he has become. The most poignant part of that entire story was his ability to forgive and understand the horror for what it was. Your book has made me see the world a little differently. And for the better. Nathan will always be my "gun guru", but now he is so much more in my eyes. I can't thank you enough for writing it and sharing it with us. And Steph, if you do indeed write another book please make sure we hear about in on this site ! All the best. Bill Badgley |
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@ 01:18 pm (GMT) |
Simon CrowtherRe: The DoorActually I don't know why I posted my original comment, I think it was on a Friday night which for me is wine night, perhaps it would have been better not to have commented.Just for the record I'm not stereotyping Nathan, I just have my reasons for not wanting to read the book While living in Sao Paulo, in the early hours of the morning, I was the victim of a brutal mugging in a dark street. I was grabbed around the throat from behind and dragged of my feet. It was a brutal bloody fight and due to being lucky enough to get a boot into the right place, I was the one that walked away, there is no doubt in my mind that these people would have killed me. My arm was broken, my clothes were ripped to shreds and I was covered in blood. In the time since coming back to New Zealand, its taken me years to relax out on the street. For a long time I was very hair triggered and I could be aggressive with people, I'm OK now, relaxed with people and over it, I'm enjoying living in relatively safe NZ. There it is, I had no intention of talking about this and usualy never do but having found a bit of tranquility I'm a bit wary things that may stir up a few old demons. That's all there is to it, I'm not stereotyping Nathan or criticizing his book, I hope he sells a million copies, it's just not right for me at the moment. |
@ 05:09 pm (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: The DoorIf its not Covid it's sumthin else ha!Heres a song for some time and reflections..... https://youtu.be/P0RHIPq6vKM |
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@ 06:25 am (GMT) |
Scott StruifRe: The DoorNot bad for a vegetarian PETA card-carrier. |
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@ 08:10 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: The DoorHi, just want to drop by to say thanks to John, Ben, Magnus, Marty, Chris, Richard and Bill.Richard, yes perhaps so. This one is available to booksellers, will have to see if it gains traction. Who knows. Bill, I know that you tend to avoid the forums so thank you very much for your warmhearted post. |
@ 02:31 pm (GMT) |
Johann LahdenrantaRe: The DoorI just had a chance to pick this up and read it and wanted to add my recommendation to anyone on the fence about picking this book up! I didn't grab the book right when it came out, not because I didn't think Nathan and Steph's backstory wouldn't be interesting but because I personally can't stand nightclubs, clubbing, clubbers or anything to do with that scene so I thought I would put it on the backburner. Reading some of these positive reviews made me pick it up and I am sure glad I did. While I figured reading about your backstory would be interesting (and it was) I enjoyed the book a lot more than I expected. Even though I can't stand nightclubs at all, what I really found compelling was a couple of unexpected things; Nathan's growth from a young 'karate kid' into a true warrior, and also the very interesting insights into human character, especially the nature of violence.In hindsight it makes sense to me that in our oh so cleaned up modern western societies, with no room for men to be warriors that being a doorman at a nightclub is one of the few places left for a man (or woman) to have that no BS laboratory for developing hand to hand combat skills, and into a warrior. For anyone even vaguely interested in hand to hand combat, martial arts or the warrior mindset I would say this book is a must read, ten bucks is hardly anything to pay for Nathan's insight into those topics. Actually, I think there could be an opportunity for futher development along those lines? It seems to me between Nathan's own personal experience in hand to hand combat and martial arts along with your contact with other very experienced people in those fields, something along the lines of a 'No BS guide to hand to hand combat' I think could be a very worthwhile endeavour. Anyway, I am certainly glad I took the time to read this book and I encourage anybody on the fence thinking about it to go ahead and read it, I don't think you will be disappointed. Great job Nathan and Steph, and God bless you and your family! |
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@ 08:16 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: The DoorHi Johann, what a wonderful review. Thank you so much for taking the time to write your post. It really made our day thanks. |
@ 09:30 am (GMT) |
Florida CrackerRe: The DoorDon't normally open the "Other Topics" forum so I didn't know this thread was running. My thinking parallels Bill Badgley - the book is so much more than a story. Highest kudos to Nathan and Steph. Thanks for sharing. |
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