Guns A Visual History (Dk) by Chris McNabb (Editor) (1-May-2009) Hardcover

by Chris Stone

From rifles to sniper guns, machine guns to grenade launchers, " A Visual History" is a fully loaded guide to over 300 of the most important guns from the last 700 years.Perfect for anyone interested in firearms, " A Visual History" has revealing features on twenty 'key' guns from history, including the Musket, Gatling Gun and AK-47 assault rifle.Step inside famous gun maker factories, from Colt and Smith & Wesson to Beretta and discover how guns were – and still are – developed and produced. Meet famous gunslingers and legendary sharpshooters from Dick Turpin and Billy the Kid to James Bond, hear their stories and learn about the guns that made them famous.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published April 16, 2007

Reviews

[Checkman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not that good. It's full of incorrect information which I attribute to poor research. The only thing that saves it is the photographs, which are excellent. For those who aren't part of the so-called gun culture the inaccuracies will seem trivial, but if I'm going to spend my hard earned money on a book intended for reference I expect the information to be correct.

A few examples:

The caption for a Colt Python states that the specimen in the photograph has an 8" barrel. That is incorrect, it's a 6" barrel.

The Colt Python's starting date of manufacturing is listed as 1953. The model began in 1955.

The Colt Agent revolver caption states that the Agent was manufactured with both an aluminum-alloy frame, and cylinder, but due to safety issues sales were hindered and the model was discontinued. This information is correct, but only to a point. When the model was introduced the frame and cylinder were an aluminum-alloy frame. The alloy wasn't strong enough for the cylinder and it was replaced with a steel cylinder. The Agent revolver then continued into the 1980's.

The book states that when Clint Eastwood was looking for the ideal handgun for the character of Dirty Harry he settled on the Smith & Wesson Model 29 - .44 Magnum. So far so good. But then the text states that the Model 29 hadn't yet entered production when Eastwood settled on the big magnum revolver. Wrong. Dirty Harry was produced in 1971. The Model 29 was introduced in the mid-50's.

So that's just a few examples. I found the above listed errors within just a few minutes of perusing the book. A little more in-depth reading reveals other inaccuracies.

As stated at the beginning of this review for those who are not part of the gun-culture such mistakes probably seem insignificant. I would argue that it is not unfair to expect correct information in any specialized book claiming to be an "indispensable guide" for any field - whether that be firearms, plumbing supplies or surgical supplies.

If it wasn't for the excellent photos I would give this book one star. Fortunately it was on sale and I was able to purchase it for less than $10.00.

[Mikko Saari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gorgeously illustrated book on guns. I'm not sure how reliable source this is for detailed information, but at least you get to see gorgeous photos of many iconic firearms (but where is the Suomi submachine gun?) and learn how firearms have developed from the basic muskets to modern assault weapons. The book also does a good job in explaining the basics of how different kinds of firearms work. And did I already mention the book looks great?

[Pat Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book for its purpose but very limited in scope. Very few firearms rate more than three or four paragraphs. The photos are very nice and clear but tend to wet the appetite for other angles and focus rather than satisfy. I don't think it is worth a large expense but it is worth having in your library if you can get it cheap.

[Duip]

Photos and pics without necessary info. Readers cannot savvy what mechanisms are in various guns.

[Taveri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photos of guns > lots of them > about a thousand, going back to items from 1550.

[Abram · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can be read in on setting and gives a short history of fire arms from the most elaborate to the simple with eras, and features. Most of the book is nice detailed pictures with short captions. If you want a good simple introduction to firearms this is a great visual way to see many different types and ages. If you want to do research on specific a era or style of firearm than there are many books out there that would be more detailed.
Pros: tons of nice pictures, informative captions, well organized.
Cons: not very detailed.

[Lidja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. I expected a large-format book rich with all sorts of information. Alas, the book is a half-size tome, which severely limits the presentation. The commentary is extremely limited. The dry statistics are presented in tiny little tables next to the photograph of each gun (usually 3-4 on a two-page spread). Ten thumbnail accounts of famous gunslingers (fictitious and real) are included (maybe two paragraphs on each?). Meh.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very pretty book with lots of pictures of guns. Not a gun fanatic myself, but I can rarely resist browsing through a DK book. I learned a few things and all my favorites, gun novice that I am, were depicted so I can't complain. Fun, but ephemeral, as DK books are wont to be.

[This is V! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I though this book was really good . It's packed with a lot of pics and infos about guns . There are all kinds of variety of guns around even explanations about teasers . I would recommend it for guns enthusiasts

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much info but lots of pictures.

[Angellica Skrinos · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay not the best I've read though. Great if you're mainly interested in older guns though. Lots on flintlocks, wheel-locks and older pistols and rifles. Cool images too.