The Hunter I Might Have Been. George Mendoza, Photographed by De Wayne Dalrymple, Astor-Honor, Inc., New York, 1968.
 
a tale of anguish and love . . .
 
Free verse and full page black and white photographs relate the lasting impression of a child's first experience with a gun and its destruction of life. An allegory in striking pictures and text dealing with the moral justification for killing.
 
Note: This book covers a serious subject, leaving a mature child with questions.  It relates the lasting impression of a child's first experience with a gun and its destruction of life.  However, he flips the script and wonders at the hunter he might have been.  Deep stuff for kids.  Suitable for older kids, but not scary. 
 
A poet, screenwriter, travel journalist, novelist, and writer of children’s books, George Mendoza (1934–2018) established himself as a top author of his day, publishing over 100 books for children and adults worldwide. In 1968, he was awarded the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for his book The Hunter I Might Have Been.
 
Black illustrated hardcover book with a gilt spine title. Nice condition with a secure binding and clean pages. The jacket is rubbed and price clipped (small tear at the spine top). Thin book, about 11-1/4 x 8-3/4 with about thirty pages.