American Gun

Starred review from June 17, 2013
Bestselling author Kyle (American Sniper) was putting the final touches on this discerning study of 10 firearmsâcompleted by his widow and Doyleâthat changed the course of warfare when he was killed at a gun range. Coupled with his goal of "talk history with the bullets flying," Kyle's picksâsurefire debate fodder for gun enthusiastsâmake for immersive reading as he recounts key battles during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and WWII. Kyle's enthusiasm for his subject is infectiousâeven for professed dovesâand his gift for narrative lends the stories the tension and drama they deserve. He brings to life the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral and the Battle of Cowpens during the American Revolution, recounting close calls, colossal errors, and the weapons that gave one side a key advantage over another. Thanks to his experiences as a Navy SEAL, Kyle is intimately familiar with the construction, key features, and upkeep of all the featured weapons, which adds to his credibility and enables him to tell his stories in greater depth. Regardless of one's views on guns, readers will gain a deeper respect for weaponry and the people tasked with using them.

December 1, 2012

Telling the American story with ten guns, from the American Long Rifle to the M16 Assault Rifle. Since Kyle's American Sniper has sold 400,000 copies in print and 180,000 ebooks so far, the 500,000-copy first printing is no surprise.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.