Firearms

May 1, 2014

This historic overview exhibits superb photography, with a selection of specimens from leading museums of the world. Firearms curators providing the necessary expertise include Graeme Rimer and Peter Smithhurst (Royal Armouries Museum, London), Herbert G. Houze (Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art), David D. Miller III (National Museum of American History), and Richard Colton (Springfield Armory). The folio size of the book allows for intelligent display of the arms, informative captions, and more examples of the staggering variety of guns than has been permitted in other DK publications, such as Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor (2006). Nearly half of the work is devoted to an assortment of early international muzzle-loading weapons. Technological and industrial advances from the 19th century forward mostly record European and American designs and improvements. The accompanying text is brief and concise, with the captions containing most of the detailed information. VERDICT This is one of the best visual overviews available of the historical development of firearms, with brilliant photography and an emphasis on artistic as well as technological achievements. The material will be appreciated by readers interested in the history of technology as well as basic firearms enthusiasts.--Nathan Bender, Albany Cty. P.L., Laramie, WY

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