Review: Vera Koo’s “Wisdom and Things”

顧方蓁的新書《巾幗槍神智慧叮嚀》（Wisdom and Things，暫譯），是一本散文集，集結了方蓁過去十年在手槍射擊生涯中所寫的散文，其中記述的是一個十二歲的青少年移民美國後的人生歷程，從對英文一字不識，終至達到行動手槍射擊世界的巔峰。

方蓁的第一本書《巾幗槍神 世界冠軍之路》回憶錄（與賈斯汀．帕爾合著）於二０一七年出版。通過這本書，我看到了方蓁如何克服人人終其一生都可能經歷到的一些最具挑戰性的人生狀況——例如死亡與背叛。在整本書中，她從不孤芳自賞，而是自我振作勇往直前，說明為什麼她付出的努力都不會枉費。這就是我們從她身上學到的東西——無論人生丟給我們的是什麼，都值得我們正面以對。

Shortly after Vera wrote the first book, she began compiling her second book, “《巾幗槍神　意念表現之源》” (with co-author Blake Toppmeyer). Again, the unlikely champion moniker that she hangs on herself is well-earned. You’ll find out why if you read the first book. But in this book, she organizes her thoughts into sections: 

• 成為冠軍
• 愈挫愈勇
• 第三部：宗教信仰、哲學思想、內省關照
• 第四部：行旅心得

Although I’ve read most of these essays, in the form of her columns at The WON, I enjoyed how she grouped the topics in the book. Vera draws parallels between shooting and life, or travel and life. In fact, the travel section ranks as my favorite. You’ll understand, after you read this part, that Vera is an itinerate traveler, always ready for the next adventure. (TeamWON is hoping that she’ll be able to travel to China in 2022 to attend the Shanghai Book Fair.)

顧方蓁何許人？

Vera, who is now in her mid-70s, enjoyed an illustrious shooting career that began when she was in her 40s. After successfully raising and family and building a real estate business with her husband, Carlos, in the Bay Area, Vera sought first a distraction in shooting, and then, a mission. 

She explains her need for speed on the range, along with accuracy, that have nothing to do with receiving accolades. Vera is known as an extremely private person, and more than one competitor has wondered if the side blinders she wore on her shooting glasses were meant for the range or were more like ear buds on an airplane. She simply wanted to get into the zone and stay there until she ran the course – blocking out distractions. 

From “Wisdom and Things”

Vera writes, “The shooting sport takes more than God-given talent to be an elite competitor. You must be mentally tough, committed and focused. When others want a day off, you must be willing to practice. This is how you get ahead in the sport.”  And then, she relates it to life – “It is like life. Only with unrelenting persistence can you expect to reach your full potential.”

Continue reading this review of

at 《女性戶外運動新聞》.