Book Description
This collection of true stories examines incidents involving the use of firearms by ordinary citizens for personal protection against criminals. Three basic types of events are discussed: armed defense at home, at work, and in a public place. Each episode is explored in detail, with a look at the citizen involved as well as how their defensive actions aided them or could be improved. From convenience-store robberies to police arrests gone awry, these stories provide memorable reminders of firearm self-defense dos and don'ts.
Customer Reviews:
I couldn't put it down.......2007-09-11
READ this book! You can't read this book and remain unaffected. You will be forced to come to some educated conclusion as it is really hard to argue with actual events and personal accounts.
The author brings out case examples of civilians who came to an event what would either leave them dead or severely harmed, they defended themselves or their fellow citizen with a firearm, and we're shown the outcomes both good and bad. Excellent follow up with the the major players.
I re-read the chapter on Katrina over and over again - that one chapter by itself is worth than the cost of this book 7 fold.
Read this book! And vote to allow carry concealed permits in every state of the union.
Make America Safer.......2007-09-06
If you believe your government should assist deranged criminals in carrying out rape, robbery, and homicide against law-abiding citizens, then this book isn't for you. If you believe your government should not force innocent people to become helpless victims of such terrible things, then read on.
Some people believe that criminals should be protected from law-abiding citizens, instead of the other way around. These 14 case histories, as good as they are, probably won't pull such people back from the dark side. If you aren't one of those people, you will find these 14 case histories well worth reading. If you agree that rendering potential victims helpless is a bad idea, this book has valuable information for you.
Thank God I Had a Gun provides 14 gripping accounts of how ordinary people stopped dangerous criminals. For example, 72-year old Zelda Hunt confronted an intruder who surely would have killed her. She held him at gunpoint until the police arrived in response to her 911 call. Ms. Hunt successfully defended her life and property without discharging her firearm or killing anybody.
It's hard to imagine that a 72-year old widow would safely stop a large, strong, young male attacker by using her bare hands. Assuming she's an accomplished martial artist and a fitness fanatic, one could argue this is possible. But do you know any 72-year old widows with rippling muscles and a black belt?
Unfortunately, this "she beat him up" scenario is one of the two possible outcomes that the citizen disarmament nuts ("gun control advocates") would leave us with. The other, far more likely, outcome is this: the unarmed woman is raped, killed, and robbed before the police arrive. People who value life obviously prefer the outcome Ms. Hunt experienced. It happened only because, thank God, she had a gun.
Reviewer's note: In the vast majority of such confrontations, the armed citizen never fires the weapon. The mere presence of an armed citizen induces most criminals to suddenly change their minds. That's why thousands of aborted crimes go unreported each year. Those crimes simply never happen, because armed citizens prevent them.
How do we know this number is thousands and not merely dozens? We can compare "criminal protection zones" such as the UK to citizen protection places such as Florida and note the difference. The UK is suffering from a huge increase in violent crime, while Florida saw violent crime drop 90% in the first year of RTC (Right To Carry). Or we can look at "before" and "after" the passing of citizen disarmament laws in Australia. "Before" was much safer for law-abiding citizens. "After" is much safer for criminals..
More than hardware
This book describes true accounts in vivid detail, and provides an expert analysis of each account. The accounts and their analyses show there's much more to responsible and effective self-defense than merely buying a piece of hardware. For example, in one analysis, the author discussed what was wrong with the bullets used. That led into a discussion of understanding what's behind the target.
Review's note: Self-defense expert John Deshotel says to use hollow point bullets in your self-defense pistols. Police have intense training in this very aspect of weapons use, to reduce the chances of hitting an innocent bystander or other unintended target. A couple of the accounts provide especially good cases for teaching how to use firearms more safely. Mr. Deshotel also says a pistol is a puny weapon. This book mentions an adage many instructors are fond of--use your pistol to shoot your way to your shotgun or rifle.
On any shooting range, the concept of safety permeates the air. People wear safety glasses. People wear hearing protection. People observe many rules of safety. A person who is trained in firearm use and who practices with the weapon is immersed in safety so much that the concept is "front of mind." The accounts in this book show how people used firearms for their personal safety. In the case of Mark Wilson, he made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could be safe. This book talks about safely using firearms in real-life situations, rather than just on the range.
Just as guns don't kill people, guns don't protect people. Well-trained people protect people. We do that by using guns we have been trained to use, when and where the situation requires. Guns are tools, and have no will of their own. If you visit an automotive garage, you'll see many tools. But the tools don't solve any problems by themselves (they don't cause any problems by themselves, either). The mechanic's training and experience make all the difference. It is the same for the armed citizen.
Reviewer viewpoint
Some people believe it's debatable whether government should respect the basic human right of self-defense. In fact, they use language to the effect that government gives that right and can take it away. These people continually tout victim helplessness as a necessary solution to crime. They have not demonstrated how making crime easier to commit will reduce the number (or severity) of crimes committed. Logic dictates otherwise, which is why such policies have always caused violent crime to skyrocket.
It's worth noting that the most outspoken proponents of pro-criminal, anti-victim laws exempt themselves from the consequences. Ted Kennedy has armed guards, and so does Rosie O'Donnell. Nobody has ever proven that disarming citizens somehow protects them from violent criminals. Logic dictates otherwise, which is why the survival rates are so much better for armed citizens than unarmed ones.
I think this book will motivate people to stay current with their firearms training and other aspects of crime prevention and self-defense. These 14 accounts clearly show that ordinary people can, with the right tools and training, face death down and defeat it.
Thank you, Chris Bird, for doing the nation a great service with the research and thoughtfulness that went into this excellent book.
self protection.......2007-09-01
This is an excellent book. It gets you thinking. Chris Bird is an excellent author
My favorite of Chris Bird's series.......2007-08-14
This book should be required reading for anyone who owns a firearm for self defense. You will learn from each individuals story of what to do and what not to do during an encounter. The chapter on New Orleans is reason enough to buy the book.
Excellent support for our often infringed right to carry.......2007-08-02
Each of these stories clearly shows why we cannot rely on police to protect us from violent crime. The need for this book is all the greater because these are the kinds of stories which are NOT reported in the media. The book begins with a story from New Orleans, where someone who didn't like guns ended up finding out, in the chaos that ensued after Katrina, that the most dangerous thing that can happen to a city is not a hurricane, "It's the thugs in the neighborhood who would do more damage." The stories are well-written, the book is engaging. I couldn't put it down. The book is a great antidote to the depression one feels when reading the daily newspaper and taking in yet another story of a violent crime and a psychologically damaged if not deceased victim. The people in these stories took up their arms and refused to be victims, and that brightens my day.
Average customer rating:
- Not Free SF Reader
- Banks at his finest - Literature that happens to be SF
- title lives up to the plot, and then some!
- My favorite Iain M. Banks novel
- Best of the Best
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Use of Weapons
Iain M. Banks
Manufacturer: Orbit
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ASIN: 185723135X |
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
This book was really disappointing, compared to the rest of the Culture novels I have read. Disjointed, jumping all over the place, and enough to even be somewhat confusing at times, not a good thing. The book hasn't enough focus on the childhood issues that ended up being at the heart of the matter. Worst Culture novel by far. When the best character is a drone robot, perhaps a little bit of a problem.
Banks at his finest - Literature that happens to be SF.......2007-07-19
Probably Bank's best science fiction novel and one of his best works generally. Cheradinine Zakalwe, Diziet Sma and Skaffen Amiskaw are, together, his most interesting group of characters.
The structure of this novel makes it worthy of note on its own. Written in interwoven chapters, it is made up of two alternating narrative streams - one indicated by Arabic numerals and the other by Roman ones. One moves forward chronologically, while the other moves in the opposite direction; yet both are about the central, tragic character, Cheradinine Zakalwe.
Despite being the third of Banks' "Culture" science fiction novels to be published, he wrote a much more complex version of this story in 1974, before any of his books saw print. He later said it was so complex it "was impossible to comprehend without thinking in six dimensions". He credits fellow Scottish author Ken McLeod with getting him to sort this baroque novel into a publishable form.
Zakalwe is a rogue, a military genius, an assassin, a sad case and an utterly sympathetic character all at the same time. A mercenary shaped by his experiences as the perfect soldier, he's taken, refined and utilised by the supposedly benign and pacific Culture for their nastier dirty tricks operations. The moral ambiguity and ethical contradictions of this are not lost on Zakalwe himself or on his Culture handler, the "Special Circumstances" operative Diziet Sma.
Gloriously grostesque, sharply observed, bleakly satrical and written with Baink's unique ability to make the most vile aspects of war and violence lyrically beautiful and richly ironic at the same time, this is the great Scottish master at his finest.
A book to loan to anyone who thinks science fiction is "dumb".
title lives up to the plot, and then some!.......2007-05-09
The title of the book lives up to the plot of the story - war. When one combines the genious of Iain M Banks, sci-fi and war one will get a hellava good story. Zakalwe is the character who fights more than just one war, but many different wars of different planets. The uses of strategy, weapons and soldiers are all presented in an aggresive, readable and enjoyable manner. The drone, Skaffen-Amtiskaw (as in many of Banks' books) are witty and off-the-wall.
The chapters in the book are divided between two counter-chronological timelines. Once this is understood, the readability of the book increases.
All in all, another darn fine sci-fi by Banks.
My favorite Iain M. Banks novel.......2007-03-05
Use of weapons is mind-boggling.
I have read all of Banks's science fiction, and I like this one the best. I won't reveal any details of the plot, but I will say that it has lots of great action, hard-core sci-fi, and a very well-told story. You will not be dissapointed.
Best of the Best.......2007-01-10
I am a huge Iain Banks fanatic. I even order his new books from Amazon-uk and pay shipping if I just can't wait for publication in the US, which can take anywhere from 6 mos. - 2 years.
I have read all his books, and this is his best. The story is beyond exciting and drags you along with no breath until you finish it. The ideas and characters are violent and heartbreaking at the same time. I do not wish to get into plot as I do not wish to spoil this excellent book for anyone.
Whether you have ever read any of his books or not, READ THIS ONE.
Book Description
Handgun, self-defense and target-shooting enthusiasts gain valuable technical data and access to more than 350 detailed photos in this superior resource devoted to using, caring for and repairing 1911 pistols.
In exhaustive detail, The Gun Digest Book of The 1911, Volume 2 gives shooting enthusiasts, military buffs and competition shooters expanded information for using and upgrading the 1911, including reviews of the latest models, new factory ammunition and test-fire evaluations for more than 20 additional pistols. This enhanced new volume also gives readers technical specifications including trigger pull, chamber depth and weight for this new collection of pistols. This second volume completes the story of the 1911 for anyone interested in customizing the classic John Browning design.
-350 detailed photos for easy identification
-Performance reviews for 20+ additional pistols give enthusiasts valuable field data
-Technical specifications for each model aid in customizing efforts
Customer Reviews:
Disappinted with both Vol 1 & 2.......2007-07-12
Volume 2 repeates much of what is in volume 1. Both volumes seem to assume that the reader only is interested in 1911s for competitionon. Every chapter relates its topic to competition and frequently repeats what was discussed in a previous chapter/volume. Seem to be more of an "editroial" than a reference guide.
Excellent companion to Volume 1.......2007-06-13
For those who found this book wanting you should be aware there is a Volume 1 which is also very good. If you are interested enough in 1911's to buy this book then you want Volume 1 which goes more into basics and covers additional pistols. I think Volume 1 and 2 should be a staple in any 1911 owners library.
Model 1911 fan's bible.......2007-05-26
If you own, or have a fancy for the Model 1911 semi-auto, including the ones currently being manufactured, this is a good book for you. I own a Dan Wesson (CZ) Pointman Seven Model 1911 style .45. I have loved this big gun ever since I carried one in the MPs circa 1960.
This book has a lot of good info on the feeding and care of this often admired, if not loved handgun. I consider it an integral part of my firearm reference library.
Almost perfect.......2007-01-04
Overall great information. I was looking for more information on how to take apart and rebuild.
Great book, worth your while........2006-11-28
I own and greatly enjoyed volume 1, and am pleased to say that volume 2 is not just a knock off, but adds all kinds of unique information. I really enjoy Sweeney's writing style and he definitely knows his stuff. The only thing that keeps this book from getting 5 stars is the incredible number of typos. If I had a dollar for each typo, I could buy myself a 1911 and this is no exaggeration. Count how many times the word "from" appears as "form" -- just the kind of thing your spell check program will never find. In spite of this the book is definitely worth owning.
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Seeking New World Vistas: The Militarization of Space
Roger Handberg
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
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Book Description
The military is moving slowly but surely toward a world in which weapons will be stationed in outer space, and officials argue that these developments are essential to the maintenance of US national security in the post-Cold War world. Handberg explores these recent proposals for change and assesses the policy implications that might well result in a challenge to proponents for the militarization of space. Taking the reader through the first Sputnik launch and then the Gulf War, the "first space war," Handberg introduces his audience to a broad overview of space as an arena for the conduct of military activity. He argues that the new policies are likely to result in a world that is less, not more, secure. Both technologically and organizationally, the Gulf War served as a watershed for military and political leaders. As a result, the great changes occurring across the spectrum of space activities, as well as the commercial applications of space, have become particularly critical to the field. Handberg argues that one unintended outcome of current policy decisions could well be a resumption of the global arms race as powers jockey for positions in the heavens. Too much of the current military advocacy is premised upon temporary advantages, both military and economic, which will dissipate in time. The political leadership of the United States must be fully engaged in this debate, given its crucial importance for future American national security.
Download Description
"Weapons of Mass Deception reveals: How the Iraq war was sold to the American public through professional P.R. strategies. ""The First Casualty"": Lies that were told related to the Iraq war. Euphemisms and jargon related to the Iraq war, e.g. ""shock and awe,"" ""Operation Iraqi Freedom,"" ""axis of evil,"" ""coalition of the willing,"" etc. ""War as Opportunity"": How the war on terrorism and the war on Iraq have been used as marketing hooks to sell products and policies that have nothing to do with fighting terrorism. ""Brand America"": The efforts of Charlotte Beers and other U.S. propaganda campaigns designed to win hearts overseas. ""The Mass Media as Propaganda Vehicle"": How news coverage followed Washington's lead and language. The book includes a glossary - ""Propaganda: A User's Guide"" - and resources to help Americans sort through the deceptions to see the strings behind Washington's campaign to sell the Iraq war to the public."
Customer Reviews:
Quick but Important Read!!.......2006-08-04
Read this book in conjunction with American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century by Kevin Phillips to get the full context of how we were hoodwinked into the Iraq War and how the Bush Administration lives for getting us to give up our liberty for some alleged safety.
facts revealed.......2006-07-26
One of the best excerpts from this book is Rumsfeld being confronted by a journalist about his visit to Iraq, denying it and then shown a videotape from the CNN archives. This is a good book to read to get away from the Bush spin of things and see things a little clearer.
Madison Avenue waged war on Iraq---and our troops.......2005-07-31
When factual evidence did not reveal that Saddam Hussein had "Weapons of Mass Destruction" the Bush administration simply hired the country's best media consultants to engineer support for the war: anybody who was thus questioning the administration found themselves labeled as contributing to the terrorist threat. Because reality did not give them what they wanted, the White House fabricated data.
This book, written by John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton is not one of the reccent anti-Iraq war books, but it lays out the opposition to this policy in basic bare-bones langue. As such, this book is a good read for people who are not neccessarily policy wonks, but want the truth in an America of lies.
It is convienient that one of the loudest internal anti-Saddam groups in Iraq, the Iraqi National Congress, had ties to the American Pentagon. If something like that arrangement were to happen to our country, we would be screaming bloody murder. But, because Bush had convinced the public we needed to stop 'the terrorists' wherever they were, we did not ask critical questions about the opposition sources origin and their own motives.
Likewise, the same profession which once had helped to expose Watergate and FBI abuses against new left activists turned into the official White House parrot. Reporters who allegedly knew much better stopped asking critical questions about the Bush administration's official policy. Very little has publically been made of the glaring contradictions between Bush's infamous 'mission accomplished' aircraft carrier landing and our continued presence in Iraq---ironically with no formal end to the 'mission' in sight.
Why were we going to war with Iraq? What information prompted this decision? Who collected this information? If Saddam really was such a threat to international security, why weren't the other nations (especially his neighbors) who mourned with us over 9/11 agreeing with our plans?
Consequently, the American people had no idea of what they were really supporting. We were only told that dissent against the country was unpatriotic and that we needed to support whatever this president did in Iraq.
Compounding that problem, the administration went into Iraq with a distinctly western mindset. Not only did/and is still preventing Americans from being taken seriously, but it breeds terrorists who point to the 'provisional government'...etc as evidence that America only had wanted to colonize Iraq for it's own material benefit. The people working for the White House thought they were good, but they also forgot that the Iraqis and the Arab world needed to be sold on this policy to (ironically) avoid generating terrorists.
Because the authors are pre-disposed to disagree with President Bush on other issues, this book might not have a wider audience when compared with the growing number of titles of people who were neutral or even previously supportive of the administration's Iraq policy. If Iraq really does turn into another Vietnam however, I am willing to bet that this book will suddenly find a larger audience alongside the more reccently published works.
Review 5/2/2005.......2005-05-03
The book "Weapons of Mass Deception, the Uses of Propaganda in Bush's War on Iraq," written by Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber generally deals with the United States' current conflict in Iraq. However, it does not deal with the strategic side of the conflict itself but rather the steps taken to get there. This text focuses primarily on the supposed false information that President Bush and his administration provided the American public in order to gain their support. Rampton and Stauber deal with the psychological aspects that come with preparing a nations people for war.
Rampton and Stauber set out to make a contribution to their field by expressing their points of view in this particular text. The fundamental point that both authors set out to make is that the war in Iraq is a battle that is being fought unnecessarily, based on false pretenses. President Bush blatantly lied to a nation in order to better serve his own needs while asking thousands of men and women to give their lives in the process. Both authors make it their business to make clear the fraudulent steps that President Bush and his administration took in an effort to coerce a nation into believing that going to war with Iraq was the right thing to do. Furthermore, it is Rampton and Stauber's goal that after reading their work, American citizens will analyze carefully and be more skeptical of the different types of media that they come into contact with.
There are several areas covered in this text regarding the war in Iraq and the deceptive measures employed by President Bush while doing so. In fact, Rampton and Stauber claim that Bush was involved with the invasion of Iraq even before he was elected into office. Bush's key officials advocated the invasion all along but opted to wait until September 2002 to inform the public, through what the White House expressed as a product launch. This is simply the Bush administrations attempt at selling the war in Iraq to the American public through a well thought out public relations operation. The White House representatives apparently used propaganda along the lines of misinformation and constant replication in order to create the false notion that Iraq was behind the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. Additionally, there were allegedly forged documents which fabricate the claim that Iraq possessed vast supplies of destructive weapons. Apparently, Bush's public relations firm facilitated an opposition group known as the Iraqi National Congress, which contributed largely to the decision to go to war. While these lies were taking place, the American news media was entirely occupied with the propaganda being provided and continuously kept repeating White House communications.
"Weapons of Mass Deception, the Uses of Propaganda in Bush's War on Iraq" is put together by authors Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber. Both men work for the Center for Media and Democracy; this is a non-profit association that Stauber himself founded in 1993 in an effort to observe and expose deceptive public relations campaigns and other assorted propaganda distributed by corporations and governments. John Stauber is a longtime activist who has worked in the field of public interest, consumer, family farm, environmental and community organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Co-author Sheldon Rampton is a graduate of Princeton University and has worked as a newspaper reporter, activist, and author. Rampton and Stauber are both clearly opposed to the work that the Bush administration has done while in office. In fact, based on the work that they have done with this text as well as past work, both men appear to be against any type of governmental or public relations group that misinforms the public on any issue. Rampton and Stauber present a strong argument throughout their book, supporting their points of view with documented facts. In addition, both authors remain true to their feelings and points of view in an uncompromising fashion; perhaps this is the most concrete element to their text. The only flaw, if any present in this book is that both men are partially biased because of their dislike for President Bush. It is likely that a supporter of President Bush would not be so critical of the tactics he has used in recent years.
This text seems to be quite useful and a positive addition to work in its field. It offers readers and consumers an alternative source of information that is able to rival the media. In addition, to it being an alternative source of information, it is written by well educated and experienced men who support their adamant views with concretely documented facts. Therefore, this text is not merely two liberal men running their mouths about issues they are not well versed in, but a brilliantly put together political argument. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, Rampton and Stauber attempt to relay an important message to the public; that they should never settle and accept information that the media and government give to them. There is always the right to question the government and related associations when the public is being misinformed.
A critical look at wartime discourse.......2005-04-20
In "Weapons of Mass Deception: The Uses of Propaganda in Bush's War on Iraq," coauthors Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber take a critical look at a very important subject. The authors cover a number of intriguing facets of both the war and its background. They analyze the U.S. "propaganda blitz" to improve the U.S.'s image in the Muslim world-a strategy they judge an "abject failure." They also look at some of the individuals and organizations that played roles in the leadup to war-among them Ahmed Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress.
Rampton and Stauber accuse the Bush administration of many distortions in its attempt to "sell" the war as if it were a product. One of the book's most interesting sections is the authors' deconstruction of the Bush administration's wartime catchphrases: "axis of evil," "coalition of the willing," "shock and awe," etc. They critique not only the U.S. government, but also the Saudi regime.
The book also looks critically at the media's role in the war. The authors accuse the "right wing media echo chamber" of promoting a culture of fear and intimidation. Among the figures whose work they question are Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, and Ollie North. Particularly intriguing is the authors' look at differences in U.S. and Arab TV coverage of the war.
I should note that I am an Army Reserve officer who has done a tour (2003) in Afghanistan and is currently serving in Iraq, and that I am firmly committed to carrying out my mission. I was not bothered or offended by this book. I believe that the authors are doing a service in challenging Americans to be more careful and critical consumers of information. This book dares its readers to analyze and decode the messages that they receive from the government, the media, and the advertising industry; it also suggests that we need to know and learn from history. I recommend this book to readers regardless of their political persuasion.
Book Description
Recognized as the most important and influential firearms design in the past 50 years, the Glock pistol is today's prefered autoloading pistol for law enforcement use and personal protection. This comprehensive review of the revolutionary Glock pistol encompasses the pistol's history and unique design elements, and includes a performance analysis of the various models and chamberings. Covers in detail, the wide array of available accessories, as well as little known factory options.
Customer Reviews:
Good book for the novice.......2007-07-15
I couldn't top the the 3 previous reviews, they were accurate. I have the revised 2003 book which retails for $27.99 and I bought it at a local gun shop for $25.20. I wish I had checked Amazon's prices first.
The BEST Glock book to buy.......2007-05-27
I have read all the books available for the Glock line of pistols and this one is easily the best. The author covers history, maintenance, all the models, and the pictures are excellent.
If you are going to buy just one book about Glocks I highly recommend this be the one, it IS that good.
But beware; if you are not presently a Glock owner you may find, after spending time with this book, that you just have to have one.
Sweeney's Books are the best.......2006-06-29
Pat Sweeney writes the best overall book for the firearms industry. His attention to detail and articulation is some of the best work when it comes to general firearms knowledge. The only other book that covers the Glock this well is the Ptooma Guide to the Glock. This book in comparison to the Ptooma book, well that is kind of hard. Sweeney writes as a general knowledge book, while the Ptooma book was written by guys that LOVE Glocks. Sweeney is a 1911 and revolver man, But who wouldn't trust the word of someone that took 3rd place in World Shoot XIV in Standard Revolver? I think he knows what he is talking about. You need a Glock book? Look no further. You found it.
Author should stick to writing about the 1911.......2005-11-27
My review on this one is going to be a bit more critical than most. This is probably one of the worst books on Glock pistols that I have read to date. The author is constantly comparing Glocks to 1911's, and other types of pistols. The book is also loaded with plenty of non-Glock images. Mr. Sweeney, I bought this book because I like the Glock, not because I wanted to see plenty of photos of 1911's... ad nauseam. Perhaps Mr. Sweeney should stick to books writing books like his "Gun Digest Book of the 1911", as he has done Glock more than a bit of injustice.
You know, I recently purchased Massad Ayoob's excellent book "The Gun Digest Book of Sig-Sauer". Mr. Sweeney, please take note... Massad's book on the Sig is FILLED with useful information and photos related to his book's title... SIG-SAUER PISTOLS!
Sorry, but I must recommend a pass on Sweeney's "sort of Glock" book!
Hans
Informative but lacking.......2005-09-28
I made the mistake of actually reading the book, rather than skim it or use if for reference. Mr Sweeney is an accomplished gunsmith with years of experience with the 1911 and the Glock. Although he provides a lot of good information on the Glock, it becomes obvious that he truly admires the 1911. Having another, commonly used firearm to use as a reference for comparison is a good thing. But there are many times that the 1911 comes up without benefit to the topic.
The Glock information he provides is great, albeit limited in scope; I learned a lot about magazines, other Glock models, and a holster I'd never heard of; I'm glad I have the book on my shelf for reference. Probably the most practical thing I learned is that all Glock mags of the same caliber will fit and function in other Glocks of the same caliber; consequently it makes good sense to carry a 15 round clip (from a Glock 22) to put in your concealed Glock 27 after the first 10 rounds are gone. Makes more sense than investing in a bunch of mag extensions that yield fewer total rounds.
But the book has some major drawbacks, too. At one point we are led to believe that he will cover trigger pull adjustment in another section, but this is never addressed. The writing is OK, but the editor should find a new line of work. There are contradictions, circular writing, and other mistakes that a good editor would have picked out; it was difficult to read at times. Probably the worst two issues are that it desperately needs to be updated (lots of talk about the old 1994 gun restrictions, copyright 1993) and there is no index. Tough to be a reference book without one.
I haven't read any competing books on the subject, but I can compare it with quality books written on singular subjects. That's how I formulated my rating.
Book Description
A revelatory look at the U.S. Government's plan to put weapons in outer space, by two bestselling experts.
"During the early portion of the twenty-first century, space power will also evolve into a separate and equal medium of warfare….The emerging synergy of space superiority with land, sea, and air superiority will lead to Full Spectrum Dominance."—from "U.S. Space Command Vision for 2020"
When most of us think about the potential of outer space for future generations, we think of world communications, satellite navigation, and scientific exploration. U.S. Space Command, however, thinks about weapons. Believing that conflict in space and wars fought from space are inevitable, the president has called on the agency to weaponize outer space and thus provoke an arms race that could cost the United States trillions of dollars and could lead to the demise of the human race.
In War in Heaven, a Nobel Prize-nominated peace activist and a former U.S. foreign service officer (who helped write the Outer Space Treaty of 1967) look at the history of military uses of space and the current plans for "militarizing the heavens," including kinetic, laser, nuclear bombardment, and anti-satellite weapons. Contrary to the claims of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld that the United States faces a "space Pearl Harbor," Caldicott and Eisendrath show that the United States itself is today the principal obstruction to passage of an international treaty banning weapons from outer space.
At a time when plans to build and deploy space weapons are on the administration's agenda but only just becoming known to the general public, this book will help launch a national discussion of a critical issue.
Customer Reviews:
A Well Done anti-Bush Polemical.......2007-04-05
This book is a history of the military uses of space, the treaties that exist about space, and the development of space oriented weapons. It is also a plea that we not militarize space. It is well written, well intended, well thought out but I'm afraid pointless.
Mankind has militarized everything. First the land, then the sea, then the air, next orbiting space based weapons systems and then the moon. And I have to say that I'm not so sure just where I personally stand on this.
One of the points made by the authors is that more money should be spent on foreign economic aid and situations like the aftermath of Katrina. This is going to be a hard sell. Most people believe that money given to foreign aid winds up in the hands of the local politicians and is not really helpful to the intended people. Money to the Katrina victums is one thing. Rebuilding New Orleans is an entirely different matter. It's a stupid place to build a city, the French knew it when the laid it out, which is why the French quarter remained dry. With rising sea waters from Global Warming, a rebuilt New Orleans is another disaster waiting to happen.
This book presents the side of the anti-weapon, anti-Bush (Eisendrath has also written: Bush League Diplomacy: How the Neoconservatives Are Putting the World at Risk) people. I think they have a hard sell before them
Average customer rating:
- cumbersom reading
- Excellent work on Civil War arms
- A great book for collectors and historians
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Civil War Firearms: Their Historical Background, Tactical Use and Modern Collecting and Shooting
Joseph G. Bilby
Manufacturer: Combined Publishing
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Warmans Civil War Weapons
ASIN: 0938289799 |
Customer Reviews:
cumbersom reading.......2006-06-16
For those currently playing soldier with these weapons this is a good book to have but for the historian it has little real value.
Cumbersom and difficult in reading.
Excellent work on Civil War arms.......2001-03-08
Jo Bilby's work on Civil War Firearms is invaluable. I have referred to my copy numerous times and it has become dogeared with use. Mr. Bilby is a kind and highly intelligent man who has done history buffs a great service by providing this book. If you enjoy this book also check out his other works: "Mr. Bilby is the author of Three Rousing Cheers: A History of the 15th New Jersey Infantry from Flemington to Appomattox, Forgotten Warriors: New Jersey's African-American Civil War Soldiers, Remember Fontenoy: The 69th New York and the Irish Brigade In the Civil War and co-editor, with Steven O'Neill, of My Sons Were Faithful and They Fought: The Irish Brigade At Antietam...
A great book for collectors and historians.......2000-08-13
The book covers the history of and tactics used for several Civil War firearms. These guns include smoothbores, sharpshooters, repeaters, and several others. Joseph Bilby's research into the historical aspect of each weapon is excellent and worthy of praise. Bilby also provides an invaluable supply and information list near the end of the book. Collectors will find this part of the book very helpful for locating pieces to add to their collection.
Book Description
In this concise account of why America used atomic bombs against Japan in 1945, J. Samuel Walker analyzes the reasons behind President Truman's most controversial decision. He delineates what was known and not known by American leaders at the time and evaluates the role of U.S.-Soviet relations and American domestic politics. In this new edition, Walker takes into account recent scholarship on the topic, including new information on the Japanese decision to surrender. He has revised the book to place more emphasis on the effect of the Soviet invasion of Manchuria in convincing the emperor and his advisers to quit the war. Rising above an often polemical debate, Walker presents an accessible synthesis of previous work and an important, original contribution to our understanding of the events that ushered in the atomic age.
Customer Reviews:
No ideology here just history.......2007-09-26
Ideology defined: The body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or culture.
If you have already made up your mind that the atomic bombings of Japan were wrong, you have two choices: (1) Don't buy the book and participate in the next demonstration against the bombings which will, again, make you feel morally superior; (2)buy the book and realize that it was not as simple a decision as you thought it was. Then ask yourself, what would I have done in 1945? Very challenging book. It certainly provides a very good understanding of the choices Truman had to deal with and the feelings in the US at that time.
One final point for the anti-bombing crowd: Check the stats on the casualties in the conventional bombings of German and Japanese cities.
And educate yourself about Japanese atrocities in China: 350,000 slaughtered in Sungchiang, and between 260,000-350,000 civilians murdered in Nanking. That's for starters.
Historiography at its Finest.......2007-07-30
One of the most complex, divisive, and nuanced debates in the history of the twentieth century is the decision by U.S. President Harry S. Truman in August 1945 to drop two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, thereby ending World War II. A traditional conception of the decision, indeed the one most often voiced by actors in the decision, was that it was done to speed the end of the war and thereby preserve American lives that might be lost in future combat. The revisionist interpretation, often identified with Gar Alperowitz, argues that the war was almost over and that the Japanese were on the verge of surrender anyway. The reason to drop the bomb, therefore, had little to do with the ending of World War II and was aimed more at impressing and influencing future relations with the Soviet Union. Another interpretation suggests that the use of the atomic bomb had more to do with American racism, and that the U.S. would have refrained from using such a horrific weapon on other Caucasians in Europe. Other scholars condemn the use of such a weapon targeting large populations, including non-combatants, as immoral and obscene. Subsequent historians have argued various permutations of these interpretations and the debate remains far from settled.
J. Samuel Walker's "`prompt & utter destruction': Truman and the Use of the Atomic Bomb against Japan" is a superb short discussion of the merits of each of these interpretations and an assessment of the current state of understanding on the subject. He takes an exceptionally even-handed approach, pointing up the strengths and weaknesses of each major argument and assessing how they have evolved over time. In the end, as Walker documents, five fundamental considerations played into the decision to use atomic weapons in 1945.
First, the decision makers, especially Truman, sought to end the war at the earliest possible moment. They believed this new and terrifying weapon would do so and should therefore be employed in what they considered the greater good of ending the bloodshed. Wrapped up in this argument, although Walker thinks it a bit of side issue, was a widely held belief that bringing the Japanese to the surrender table would require an invasion of its islands. This would, everyone believed, be a costly and lengthy campaign that might cost thousands of lives on both sides. Casualty estimates of all types exist, and have been used in the debate since then to justify or condemn the use of the bomb. Walker finds that those estimates, which are at best educated guesses that range broadly depending on the assumptions and the perspectives of those making them, are less useful in assessing what took place than the understanding that Truman was unwilling to accept any more casualties than absolutely necessary.
Second, Walker notes how Truman and his advisors were intensely concerned that they had to justify the enormous cost of developing the atomic weapon, and a decision not to use it once it existed would open them to significant criticism. As Walker notes, "The success of the Manhattan Project in building the bombs and ending the war was a source of satisfaction and relief" (p. 94). In this context, Truman expressed great concern that should he decide not to use the weapon once he had it that every American life lost thereafter would have been wasted. As he explained to Secretary of State James F. Byrnes in 1947, "I believe that no man, in our position and subject to our responsibilities, holding in his hands a weapon of such possibilities for accomplishing this purpose and saving those lives, could have failed to use it and afterwards looked his countrymen in the face" (p. 94).
Third, at least one of Truman's advisors, Secretary of State Byrnes, realized immediately and argued to his colleagues that this weapon would be useful in helping to bend the Soviet Union to American wishes in the post-war era. Truman recognized this as well, but according to Walker this was definitely an added bonus and not the primary consideration in using the bomb. Walker concluded, "Growing differences with the Soviet Union were a factor in the thinking og American officials about the bomb but were not the main reason that they rushed to drop it on Japan" (p. 95).
Fourth, Walker notes that there was a lack of incentives not to use the bomb. "Truman," Walker notes, "used the bomb because he had no compelling reason to avoid it" (p. 95). While many people since 1945 have questioned the morality of its use, Truman and his advisors did not let those scruples--while they did exist among them--outweigh their goal of ending the war as quickly as possible. By the last years of the war conventional weaponry had laid waste to so many cities containing thousands of non-combatants--witness the firebombing of or Dresden and Tokyo--that virtually no one in a senior decision making role in the U.S. questioned this action since they believed it would shorten the war and save American lives.
Fifth, Walker notes that "Hatred of the Japanese, a desire for revenge for Pearl Harbor, and racist attitudes were a part of the mix of motives that led to the atomic attacks" (p. 96). Again, this was not the primary consideration in dropping the bomb on Japan, "But the prevalent loathing loathing of Japan, both among policymakers and the Anmerican people, helped override any hesitation or ambivalence that Truman and his advisors might have felt about use of atomic bombs" (p. 96).
Walker ends "prompt & utter destruction" with a series of questions still be debated about the decision to use the bomb. These include: "(1) how long the war would have continued if the bomb had not been used; (2) how many casualties American forces would have suffered if the bomb\ had not been dropped; (3) whether an invasion would have been necessary without the use of the bomb; (4) the number of American lives and casualties an invasion would have exacted had it proven necessary; (5) whether Japan would have responded favorably to a American offer to allow the emperor to remain on the throne before Hiroshima, or whether such an offer would have prolonged the war; and (6) whether ant of the alternatives to the use of the bomb would have ended the war as quickly on a basis satisfactory to the United States (pp. 108-109).
These historiographical questions ensure that future study of this subject will remain contested; overlaying all of it, of course, is the question of the morality of Truman's decision. Walker offers no conclusion to the debate, instead inviting further inquiry and exposition as each scholar makes a contribution to the marketplace of ideas where each position will be evaluated and accepted, rejected, or modified. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the nature of the end of World War II and the beginning of the cold war.
Great History Book.......2005-10-01
I bought this book for school.. I have not read it yet but it arrived in perfect condition.. Very fast shipping.
Was it such a hard decision?.......2004-12-28
They were suddenly heroes to a grateful nation. Scientists, normally accustomed to a life of quiet research, were suddenly, by virtue of their invention of the atom bomb, the saviors of their country. Likewise, the crew of the Enola Gay, surely one of the best-known airplane names in history, became military larger-than-life figures of honor and fame. It was nearly universally accepted that the atom bomb had saved America from a long, bloody, and otherwise pointless invasion of the Japanese mainland. Truman, the man who gave the go-ahead, was mostly relieved that the war was finally over, and no further American lives need be lost. To morally praise him for his decision to drop the device would have been superfluous, like congratulating someone for deciding to save a drowning child. What other decision could there have been? And yet, there were other options for him. Realistic options? Perhaps, in light of sixty more years of history. Or perhaps not, hindsight notwithstanding. The questioning of his motives began in the sixties, and by the time of the fiftieth anniversary of the twin bombings came about there was a loud chorus of voices condemning Truman's decision. Wouldn't a demonstration on a desert island have been better? Why kill so many innocents? Surely it was just racism, wasn't it? Oh, he was trying to scare the Russians, that's it. No president could possibly have wanted to save the lives of the soldiers entrusted to his care. Unlike some controversies, I've never found this one compelling. The case in Truman's favor seems obvious, with only very minor questions to detract from the main problem Truman faced: how to end the war quickly. I tend to think this is also the same conclusion J. Samuel Walker reached before publishing Prompt & Utter Destruction, a short and compelling overview of the decisions Truman faced and how he resolved them.
The thesis is simple. A knowingly unprepared Truman became President in the waning days of the war and had to make momentous decisions. Knowing his own limitations, he kept on hand most of Roosevelt's advisors and maintained Roosevelt's policies. This included, foremost, a desire to minimize American casualties. This is given right from the start, and remains the deciding factor in the end. Most of the book shows the situation Truman faced, including an analysis of what he knew and when. How many casualties would the U.S. face in an invasion? When would the Soviets join? How long would Japan hold out? How would the nation's economy hold up in a protracted war? At hand were figures showing the casualty rates at the time. The battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa had been horrific, and they were just smallish islands. Even in the absence of major battles, a few thousand a month were dying in skirmishes at sea, including the ill-fated crew of the cruiser USS Indianapolis. Some old myths Walker dispenses with. The oft cited figure of one million casualties in an invasion is probably not one Truman ever saw, and does not square well with other significant, but much lower numbers. In fact, Walker points out that estimates at the time, including the Soviet entry, show that Japan would have capitulated within months of an invasion, if indeed one were ever needed. Whether this is true or not is left to the imagination, as history shows there was no invasion and the war ended when it did. But Truman did not face enormous crippling casualty rates of the sort that plagued the other major countries in the war.
There are factors that have helped advance the claim that Truman had ulterior motives. The day after the successful Trinity test, he did indeed dominate the Potsdam conference where he was meeting with Churchill and Stalin. And Truman's disdain for communists was well known. The thing is, Truman was no idiot. Of course he knew the nuclear weapons gave him a bargaining chip. This can hardly be disputed, as is also true of many other accusations that are at least partially true but not so relevant. The Manhattan project was not, however, started up just to give the president a way to bully Russians. The bombs were earmarked for Germany the whole time, and would have ended up exploding over Berlin or some other city had not Germany cheated and lost the war first. This fact should clear up the question of racist motives. Undoubtedly Truman didn't like the Japanese. This is what happens in a war. Certainly there was racist feeling towards them in the country. But a military decision does not become invalid because its maker really, really dislikes the enemy.
The final answer is that Truman did know of other options, but they weren't important. He did worry a bit about the long-term implications, but there were immediate problems to deal with. In keeping with a policy he held even before learning of the atom bomb, Truman wanted to minimize casualties and end the war sooner rather than later. As commander-in-chief, not to mention as a combat veteran, he was obligated to take this stand. The number of casualties avoided is almost certainly not close to a million, but it could easily have been in the tens of thousands. There are enough conflicting accounts from that era to make at least plausible the case that there were other major factors, but they don't stand up. In fact, Truman's decision was straightforward. Walker does good by clearing up some of the persistent myths, on both sides of the question. But, and not to take away from Walker's effort, this isn't that hard a question (perhaps this is why the book is so short). To see the situation mapped out for history, here is the source to read.
very good overview.......2001-12-10
This book gives a good overview but just that - an overview. The events and circumstances surrounding the use of the A-bomb simply must be addressed in greater depth for one who wishes to become truly knowledgable on the subject. However, its brevity is also a strength in that for one just getting into the subject it serves as a fabulous introduction and for those already familiar with the subject, it sums things up into a nice recap. Contrary to some reviews of the book, the author does NOT ever say or even imply that the bomb should not have been dropped. Quite the opposite, he provides compelling reasons why the decision to use the bomb was sound and wise militarily, politically, diplomatically, and morally. Nor is this book any where near a "one-stop-shop" on the subject. So while not the final say, this book would be a good addition to a collection for the reasons mentioned above. The research is credible and the arguments are as a whole very sound. Highly recommended.
Book Description
This indispensable resource employs an dictionary-style format that makes it easy to locate material on an astonishing variety of weapons. Arquebuses, flintlocks, matchlocks, and other antique guns appear here, as well as German armor, French rapiers, Roman short swords, Turkish crossbows, Japanese bladed weapons, and more. Over 4,500 photographs and drawings, plus 875 figures.
Customer Reviews:
An Historically Improtant Book.......2004-07-20
Over the many years I have used Stone's Glossary as a reference, I have seldom been disappointed, but then I don't ask too much of it either. Keeping in mind the era in which it was compiled and the biases thereof, I have little difficulty extracting useful information from it when needed. There are many modern references which are more accurate, and certainly the study of arms and armour has produced more informative works. There are few that rival this work in detail of scope, however. Those which cast as broad a cultural net have fewer examples and entries, while those that are more detailed seldom have nearly as many examples from so wide an area.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone researching the era for any kind of period fiction or screenplay, especially anything dealing with the height and decline of the British Colonial Empire.
Ecclectic but broad collection of arms and armour descriptio.......2002-04-26
This eccentric collection of arms and armour descriptions began as Stone's personal glossary and progressed into the seminal work of his time. Despite its random and too often erroneous misconceptions (the man couldn't figure out how double mail was made or what it was even though he had seen it on several occasions) it offers an ecclectic smattering of the arms and armour Stone encountered during his lifetime. Read with caution, this Glossary proves to be a valuable resource to the arms and armour scholar.
Stones Glossary.......2002-02-13
A very well illustrated and concise pictionary if you will of arms and armor around the world. A good basic reference work for the arms enthusiast or re-enactor.
Of all places at all times?.......2002-02-10
For the author's supposed fixation on 'Oriental' weaponry, he covers absolutely nothing in regards to Chinese weapons. One picture caption talks about a Japanese chain weapon "Above an unnamed Chinese weapon." The weapon that is 'unnamed' is a wind and fire wheel, much like the indian chakram, but a very popular wepaon nontheless.
His coverage of Indian, Indonesean and Japanese weapons is acceptable, but his coverage of Chinese wepaons, a very significant field as far as warfare is concerned, is lousey at best. "Of all places places at all times" isn't an accurate description by a long shot, but it's an easy reference for people looking into european weapons for certain. The fact that it was written originally in the 20s makes for a lack of up-to-date info, but again, it's an easy to use reference
still, the only one........2001-07-25
Despite past "killer" reviews, it is a vital work: easy to use and comprehensive. It is advised however not for the novice because of scattered errors and imagionary information. One must use it along with other, refined works and judge carefully the details.
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