The Gun that Changed the World

by Mikhail Kalashnikov, Elena Joly (Primary Contributor), Andrew Brown (Translator)

The Russian word that is most frequently spoken throughout the world isn't Lenin, gulag or perestroika, it’s ‘Kalashnikov’. The reason for this is there are 80 million Kalashnikovs in circulation on five continents. Once invented, the AK-47 assault rifle became the most widely used weapon in the from Vietnam to Palestine, from Cuba to Iraq, it was at the heart of conflicts and struggles everywhere. It is the only firearm that has ever been depicted on a national flag – that of Mozambique, where it symbolizes liberation.
Mikhail Kalashnikov himself, who was born in 1919, here tells his life story, with the help of Elena Joly, for the first his deportation to Siberia with his family while still a child; his time as a soldier in a tank regiment; his invention of the world’s most famous weapon and his turbulent life under Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Gorbachev and Yeltsin. This is a remarkable portrait of a man of ingenuity and vitality in the context of the often frightening and terribly unforgiving Russia of the twentieth century.

Genres: History, Military History, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2006

Reviews

[Kris McCracken · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this brief but engaging book, Kalashnikov's story is told in an engaging and colloquial style. It is a fascinating portrait of a man of ingenuity and vitality in the context of the harsh and often brutal Russia of the twentieth century. Against what appears to be the effort of the publishers (or at least whoever designed the book sleeve), this is not a text for serious firearms or military enthusiasts. Despite the title, this book is less a story of the AK-47, and more the story of its designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov.

The autobiography of Mikhail Kalashnikov, inventor of the renowned AK-47 assault rifle, recounts a far more interesting story than his most famous invention. In it, he shares his life story for the first time: his deportation to Siberia with his family while still a child; his time as a soldier in a tank regiment; his invention of the world's most famous weapon and his experiences of life in the Soviet Union under Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Gorbachev and Yeltsin.

I enjoyed the rambling style of narration, and as a reader, you really do feel as if you are in a room with the man himself as Kalashnikov tends to drift away from any chronological narrative thread and present his views on history, politics, and most of all, people he likes and dislikes. Rich in small details (such as the personal foibles of Khrushchev and Brezhnev), it does offer a fascinating tale of a man of humble beginnings who managed to achieve much in his life. I enjoyed it, and managed to knock it off pretty quickly. Definitely worth a thumbs up.

[Sammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish people would tell their stories to talented writers, who could write their biography. That would have been a huge improvement over this memoir, which is poorly written but a fascinating story. Still, Kalashnikov had a fascinating life that encompasses exile in Siberia, the Eastern Front in WWII, Stalin, the USSR and later capitalization and perestroika. A better writer could have delved into how he actually felt about these things, rather than just a flat recital of all the things that happened. Still, fascinating.

[Zhaoquan Geng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bags

[Masanaka Takashima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elena Joly went to Russia to interview Mikhail Kalashnikov who invented AK-47. This assault rifle is light, tough, easy-to-use, maintenance-friendly and functional in muddy, wet, sandy or other bad conditions. His story is very interesting, and shows his enthusiastic character and intricate backgrounds --- being born of a farming family taken its property and sent to Siberia, escaping from the penal settlement, becoming a successful weapons' designer and Soviet's hero while hiding his past. He later in life met his counter parts like Uziel Gal who invented UZI, and Eugene Stoner inventor of M16, paying respect to them. I chose to read this book after finishing "Johnny Mad Dog" that revolves around the Congolese militia boys looting the city and the girl and her family fleeing for safety. I wanted Mr Kalashnikov to say something on battles around the world where his inventions are used, but it looks like he avoids thinking about that.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

informative, really neat to hear how a peasant who was exhiled to siberia overcame economic and social repression to become a champion of the soviet state. Sadly I was looking for a book that him interviewd by a hamas leader who asked him if he would convert to islam, where according the hamas agent, Kalashnikov would be reveared as a saint. This was not that book so I will continue on my quest ot find that one,

[Roadhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book about the AK-47. If you read this book, I encourage you to noticed the contradictions the author experiences.

The author's family was sent to the gulag of Siberia where his father is worked to death. The author has a brutal life under the Soviet system, so the author designs an incredible weapon for the Soviet system, so the Soviet system can continue to enslave it's people.

Overall this was a interesting book.