2 comments about Beretta Pistols: The Ultimate Guide.

1. A worthwhile book if you are as I, a loyal Beretta collector.
   A bit of an overstatement at June 2008...not the "ultimate guide".
   Much has happened of importance with Beretta in the last few years that is not covered well in this book.



2. And excellent book with a lot of information, it brings as especial features a complete description of the guns even it includes the last versions of Beretta Hand Guns until the Model PX4 Storm. The book will be perfect if it includes color images and no black and white pictures.

1 comments about Guns Illustrated 2008 (Guns Illustrated).

1. A good reference book with photos and descriptions. Very similar to GUN DIGEST 2008. I bought both, but next year, one or the other.

5 comments about Daisy Air Rifles & BB Guns The First 100 Years.

1. Very enjoyable. It brought back a lot of memories. I shared it with a
   friend my age, and it gave us a lot to reminisce about.



2. Nice informative paperback. No prices for us collectors/dealers. Does anyone publish a price guide for BB guns?



3. - A terrific book with outstanding photography and commentary on Daisy BB guns, toys, and advertising over a 100 year period.
   Gary Garber



4. The book 100 years of Daisy BB guns is excellent, great pix, very informataive and a must have for the Daisy BB gun fan, collector or shooter. I would have liked more written text but book is great and helpful as it is. I have a few Daisy bb guns but dont concentrate on them. Try it youll like it.



5. An entertaining and informative compendium of the products of the Daisy Company.

5 comments about Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths: From 1868 to the Present.

1. The book is a very good collection of historical and research material. It covers a rather short period of time; however, sword production during this period over shadows all other periods combined. If you are doing research on a particular smith the chances are you will not find much, but from an overall historical perspective the time period is well documented. Overall, the publication will be a good addition to your collection.
   Dan



2. Art historians have long recognized Kondansha as one of the premier publishers of books on Japanese art and artifacts, and this publication lives up to their excellent reputation. As a long-time Japanese sword collector and enthusiast, and owner of every known book in English on the Japanese sword, I was delighted that this book contains a wealth of information I didn't previously know. That in and of itself makes it a valuable treasure. I was moreover pleased that the book starts at the beginning, providing excellent background and references to help the beginner. I strongly recommend it to all my sword students, and to anyone interested in collecting, and more important, understanding the modern Japanese sword (Gendaito). The book, while very well written, does have several redundancies and a few circular references that are no doubt in part due to it being a first edition. But in most cases it is simply because the authors have a specific purpose in mind: the unabashed promotion of the traditionally-made modern Japanese sword as an object of art. The book takes a strong stand, contrary to the thinking of much of the sword-collecting world, that only Koto swords (mid Heian to 1596) have true artistic and collectible value. The book presents a powerful case for the value and craftsmanship of the modern Gendaito, set against the context of the history of Japanese swordmaking and backed up by trusted and incontrovertible sources. Of course, it does not exhort modern machine-made mass-produced blades, but rather it explains (in detail) how many thousands of WW II and modern blades were made in the traditional way, and clears up many misconceptions about what is a true and valuable Gendaito blade. While many of us will still delight in finding Koto and Shinto era blades, now we have a context for appreciating equally well the finest Gendaito. This is certainly required reading for anyone who intends to collect Japanese swords, and especially if you prowl eBay!



3. While my library of Japanese swords and blade smiths is meager, I would highly recommend this book as a MUST HAVE!!
   
   This book makes a great reference book about modern blade smiths from 1868 to the present. Many of these artists have turned out beautiful swords.
   
   The authors who wrote this book did a fantastic job.
   
   I highly recommend this book.



4. Very good book, easy to read and full of comprehensive information, a good starting point in the Japanese sword world.



5. Hey all!

   This is definately a book for the library! If you're looking for a good resource on researching all those showa-to and Gendai-to then look no further! This book has everything you could want and more! No Oshigata, but tons of useful info about tang markings, hot stamps, showa blade characteristics, MFG. practice, and things you never even thought of! So, you think your "star stamped" Gendai is "traditionally made"? Think again! Buy this book and you'll see what I mean... Wonderful book that has already saved me $$$

1 comments about Gunfighters: The Outlaws and Their Weapons.

1. Its price tag represents a bargain for a book well over four hundred pages in length and packed with vintage black and white and some color photos throughout. Any collection strong in Western history and culture will want to include GUNFIGHTERS: THE OUTLAWS AND THEIR WEAPONS: it packs in history surveying the age of the Western cowboy, his equipment, and politics of the times. Chapters survey regional town history and culture, county and city establishment patterns, and major town figures from prostitutes to gunmen on both sides of the law. A vivid history surpasses competitors for content and color.

5 comments about Teaching Women to Shoot: A Law Enforcement Instructor's Guide.

1. This book is aptly titled and concise: it is intended for law enforcement and military instructors, who are constrained by curriculums developed previously for male students, set teacher-to-student ratios, allowable class and range time, "one size fits all" equipment, and also who are constrained in other ways that produce imperfect learning environments. The authors share their views on sex-based differences in communication and learning styles, awarness of which is applicable more broadly than only to shooting instruction. They concede that some men have what they characterize as female traits, and vice versa, so the value of their message is in understanding the potential teaching issues, regardless of the audience. This book is primarily about how to teach, and secondarily about successful and proven ways of communicating shooting fundamentals. I attended Farnam's class on the same topic, and my prior reading of the book was invaluable.



2. Good tips in here for women, but the book tends to repeat itself in some areas.



3. The book had some interesting points on the differences between the way men and women think, but was not very specific in how to apply these differences to the teaching situation. Once given a general picture of things to consider when teaching women, it would have been nice to have outlined a curriculum geared toward teaching women. Better yet, two for comparison purposes: one for men and one for women so the reader could better understand what points needed to be emphasized.



4. If you teach women, you need to read this book. Even if you think you know it all, read it anyway. Its good stuff.
   
   Written primarily from the law enforcement instructors point of view, it is equally valuable to anyone who teaches women how to shoot.



5. This book is a bit too short, but quite valuable nevertheless. It covers essential gender differences (e.g., spatial and verbal skills), shooting fundamentals (e.g., sight alignment, trigger control, and grip), and shooting psychology (e.g., mental focus and performance stress). Powerful techniques to ensure a proper grip, overcome strength/endurance limitations, and adjust for torso length are presented. The thumbs-up grip, for example, is a neat trick. I've taught college-level computer classes, martial arts and business seminars for years and even written a book about teaching yet I found some valuable new perspective in this fine book. Well done!
   
   Lawrence Kane
   Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

3 comments about German Swords and Sword Makers: Edged Weapon Makers from the 14th to the 20th Centuries.

1. This is a book about German swordmakers. It contains very little information about swords in the technical sense, e.g. construction methods or design evolution. There is a listing of the swordmakers names, dates of swordmaking and family connections. There are many pictures of Solingen factories and other historical venues. There is a list of maker's marks which does not seem to be complete nor is it presented as such. There is not much in the way of pictures of swords showing types, characteristic designs, patterns or maker innovations. The photos are of questionable quality and most of the pictures are illustrations with little provenance. Some interesting information on which makers also exported to the U.S. is included. As is usual these days, there is no appendix or detailed Table of Contents. A good book for historians but not so good for the collector.



2. While written material information is excellant in this book, It lacks enough photographs to make it useful for a collector to successfully identify a sword he may have. Also it should have included French, British and German designs. Sorry but this book does not help me at all. The proof marks are availible almost everywhere else. Also to make this book better, it needs more pictures! Spread out the photographs thru the book insted of the "lump-sum" at the rear. Better books than this are out there.



3. I'm a swords-lover, and I found this to be the best, most complete and usefull book ever writen on the subject. If you like swords, it's history and development, you can not skip this one - it's the most amazing research ever done on german swords and it's makers. I'm very happy to have a copy of this fine and fascinating work. You'll be proud to buy one, too.

5 comments about Glock: The New Wave In Combat Handguns.

1. I had read other articles about Glock pistols before buying this book, and I found this interesting, but it's notoriously not up to date since it was written some years ago, and it is based in Glocks from the first generation. Most of the information wasn't very new to me. It's weakest point is that it's an old edition and Glock has evolved. Just my humble opinion.



2. Published in 1992, before the advent of the full line and subcompacts, this is a useful resource for Glock devotees, critics, writers, and perhaps most of all, the media. The "debate" about Glocks still rages and misconceptions still abound more than a decade after it was written. Covers the genesis and history of Glocks, the media fiasco, early law
   enforcement resistence, the original 9mm models, Glock pistols from the inside out, how they function, maintenance, design features, operational advantages, early accessories and a small resource list. Useful both for the casual owner and the aficianado as well. You should come away with an understanding of how ignorant Glock bashing really is.



3. I'm an avid handgunner with an extensive collection of handguns. It was only quite recently that I got turned on to Glock Pistols, the so called "plastic guns." This book provides in depth information on Glock handguns from history, firearm performance, and modification. This is a must have for every Glock owner.



4. A great in depth look at all the elements of the Glock Pistol. I just wish that he (Kasler) would have available an update on such things as Models that have been added since the last writing and the updated list of police and governmental agencies that have adopted this gun since the writing. I know a large number in my own state that are not included so the total must be staggering. Good Book.



5. I bought this book last year, it was a hell of a read! It's unfortunate that the author, Peter Alan Kasler, passed away last year. My respects go out to his partner & family. This book gives excellent reviews & history of one of the best pistols currently on the market, regardless of calibre. Peter Alan Kasler writes from a great deal of experience & understanding. The book - on hindsight - could've shown picture's in colour; black & white photo's never really did any firearm justice - perhaps just me being slightly picky? The book wasn't meant to be a massive catalogue covering every model 'Glock' manufacture, although I wouldn't have said NO, but it did cover the essential information that anyone, like myself, who has more than a passing interest in them would find extremely useful. I liked it. I recommend it wholeheartedly!!! Buy it.

No comments about The Drilling Gun: History, Use, and Technology of a Universal Hunting Weapon.

3 comments about The Gun and its Development (Ninth Edition).

1. Everything you will ever need to know about Guns and Ammunition of all types , most informative.



2. Not much more to say. If you purchase, admire, fire, or just drool over old firearms you need to add this book to your shelf. Every bit as important to the collector as the works by the late great George Madis. It is not necessarily a fun or even easy book to read but it is THE authoritative historical reference. If you can get your hands on an original hard-cover edition you'll find that the illustrations are just a bit clearer -- but bring more money.



3. This book is a complete sporting gun encyclopedia, it has made many of my gun books totally useless as this one looks to be the source of all information other authors used to create their books. Although its the least costing book I own, it is certainly the most valuable one.