50 Guns That Changed America: An Illustrated Guide

Quite an interesting book in how it's organized (alphabetical vs. chronological) and how history is portrayed in photo from multiple sources, and lastly that the book is printed in China.I bought this book for about $10 on the clearance rack at Barnes and Noble in August 2015, considering the 3rd edition publishing date of April 2015. What I found most interesting were the portrayals of the individuals who advanced technology from the late 18th century onward and the progression from metal and wood to metal and rubber, plastic, and polymers. I have a better appreciation for this book after recently visiting the John M. Browning Museum at the Ogden Union Station in July 2015 and after reading "American Gun: A History of the U.S. in Ten Firearms" by Chris Kyle and William Doyle.

I would have given it 5 stars, except the book didn't include the most used combat rifle in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. That rifle is the M1 (not the carbine).

While certainly no gun aficionado I did find the book a pretty easy read and interesting, too. Not a hard read. Informational enough for a person like me. A dyed in the wool layman. Those who seek more in depth information may find it somewhat lacking, but those who seek basic information on the arms themselves should find the book plenty good. Good photos and other illustrations. Good information presented in an easy to use format.

Bruce Wexler's 50 GUNS THAT CHANGED AMERICA, AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY examines various firearms that were "significant in the history and development of...the United States." A 2015 Skyhorse release, Wexler's book should appeal to gun buffs of all ages.Wexler's book tops off at 176 pages. The firearms included are arranged alphabetically, the first entry being the American Long Rifle and the last, the Zouave Rifle. Each item rates a two-four page write-up with a brief specs sidebar and b&w and color photographs and illustrations. Among the weapons described are the Colt Dragoon, Thompson Submachine Gun, M1 Carbine, Henry Rifle, Gatling Gun, Smith & Wesson Model 3, Springfield M1903, Winchester 1895, Colt M16 Assault Rifle, etc.While I enjoyed the book, I thought it would have been more useful if it the guns have been arranged by date of manufacture/use so as to show the progression of firearms in America over the years. To illustrate my point, the first entries in the book are as follows: American Long Rifle (early 1700s), BAR (1917), Browning Semi-Automatic Shotgun (1900), Calico Light Weapons System (1980s), Colt Model 1860 Army and Colt Model 1911 - an arrangement that skips back and forth chronologically.In any case, gun buffs should enjoy Wexler's short-and-sweet summary of important American firearms over the years. Recommended.

Received this as a Christmas gift. It does not seem that the author knows much about firearms or is a gun enthusiast. The writing shows no depth of knowledge and certainly does not convey enough detail to make the reading interesting. Very dry facts surrounding the selected guns. Almost seems like the author pulled information from Wikipedia and encyclopedic texts like those on gun values. To include the Calico just because it’s been used in “countless movies and TV shows” and is “futuristic” then shows a horrible image from Robocop where the Calico is barely visible. At least provide a list that supports the “countless” claim.This type general over exaggeration without supporting evidence occurs throughout like when he states “The Derringer settled many an accusation of cheating at cards.” I have heard this, of course, but have never heard of a specific example so take this claim as myth or only legend created by movies. The writing in general is boring lacking details and including information that relates to the firearms but is not about the firearms.The author fails to provide enough detail to justify inclusion of some firearms. He seems more interested in filing the pages with pictures, sometimes using the pictures more than once. Also, besides a few general credits in the back, I would think some of the pictures require specific credits or I take them as uncredited.The editing is poor as well. Misspelled words, paragraphs repeated showing up at the end of one page and again on the next page.He should have focused on fewer firearms that truly changed America and provided better researched information on those than trying to cover 50 and stretching the idea they all changed America. If the book was titled Iconic Guns it might be a little more accurate.Save your money

Almost unreadable due to errors. Author mistakes rifles for shotguns and Colt-Walker's for Dragoons in photos within the first 30 pages. Some text is also incorrect. And I am by no means an expert. Just an enthusiast.