5 comments about The AK-47 and AK74 Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations.

1. enjoyed this book has tons of info about various makes and models and briefly touches on the origin of the AK47. 9/10 Good read



2. If this were a book about tanks, it would be of the "rivet counter" school: it gives tiny technical points in excruciating detail, so if you want to know the precise dimensions of the AK cleaning kit case and cap, read on. However, if you want to buy a civilian-legal AK and are trying to learn more about your choices, forget this book--it barely mentions civilian models or applications, and when it does, the information if badly dated. This book is almost exclusively a look at the details of military-only AKs and variants. Since it doesn't talk about actual combat use or tactics much, it doesn't fit as military history. I suppose there might be a few down collectors out there with the money and political ins to collect full-auto vintage military AKs. This books is for them. For everyone else, it is basically just a window shopping guide at best, or a waste of time and money at best. We are all still waiting for the book that will guide us in buying and using a civilian legal AK.



3. Great book with loads of info on the Kalashnikov family of weapons.If you own any of these weapons this is a must have addition to your library.



4. This is a great book and has lots of useful info. The only thing I can complain about is the lack of color photos in the book. Lots of black and white photos.



5. I own a AK74 and found this book to be extremely well written and informative. It contains tons of information from the origin of the AK, to alternate styles done by different countries. It also contains great step-by-step tutorials (with pictures) for breaking down and cleaning AK style weapons.
   
   Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone interested in this kind of material.

5 comments about Complete M1 Garand.

1. "Garanditus" is a dreadful malady, contracted by the unsuspecting interested in either shooting or World War II collecting. The consequences are terrible: drained financial resources, incessant internet searches for M1s, parts, and attendant paraphernalia. You find yourself attending meetings, standing, and reciting the familiar phrase, "Hello, my name is B--- and I am a Garandoholic."
   
   Along the way, to really appreciate this hobby (whether shooting or collecting), it is required that you build up a library and along side of Duff, Canfield, and the others are the books by Jim Thompson. None of the books written by *any* authors, by themselves, will provide a complete and total compendium of knowledge about Mr. J. C. Garand's wonderful rifle. All of them do provide essential information, making the practitioner more appreciative of the M1.
   
   Some of the other reviewers have objected to Mr. Thompson's rants about gang bangers, the criminal element, gun confiscation, Arizona local government, etc. are a bit tiresome. I do not share that view. On the contrary, I found Mr. Duff's books to be chocked full of facts and history, but a bit dry and too much a relation of the history of the Springfield armory. Consequently, Mr. Thompson's opinions provided interesting counterpoint. I value *both* the books that I have by Duff and Thompson as valuable components in a necessary reference library.
   
   To be sure, Mr. Thompson does provide a great deal of his personal knowledge to his works and does so in a very literate manner. I mean, a gun book whose author uses the words "calumny" and "denouement"?
   
   The only reason I gave it a 4 is because I wish it were longer.



2. JUST THE THING FOR OLD GUYS TO USE WHEN TAKING APART A GARAND & PUTTING
   SAME BACK TOGETHER.



3. If you collect or are interested in the Garand rifle, this is written for you. Easy to follow and packed with facts and pictures. I refer to my copy regularly. I would buy it again.



4. Very good book for Garand collectors.
   
   Good illustrations and pictorials as well as useful information.



5. My husband requested this book as a present. Condition of book and shipping speed was fine. He's pleased with the contents.

5 comments about Art of the Rifle: Special Color Edtion.

1. I think this is a good "hot to" book, but honestly, I would have expected a little more from it... especially for the price.

   I would recommend this book to new comers. Unless you are searching for a reference book, you should spend your money elsewhere if you are already involved in shooting.




2. The Art of the Rifle by Jeff Cooper is a very good reference on practical rifle handling and marksmanship. I highly recommend this book. The chapter on the use of the sling made this book worth the (high) purchase price for me.



3. This book is the perfect- even mandatory- companion gift to anyone's first rifle, even a bb gun.
   
   Cooper was the lead instructor for Gunsite, and one of the world's most knowledgeable riflemen. He is also a fine writer with a stripped down style, and this book is a powerfully simple introduction to effectively using a long arm, for hunting , targets, battle, whatever.
   
   This book is the perfect gift for any serious shooter. I have bought a dozen copies over the years as gifts for new gun owners and young relatives coming into the world of hunting and shooting. Nobody has ever done it better, and the book is a kind of heirloom, a touchstone for real real shooters of every generation. I cannot recommend it highly enough, obviously.
   
   Hal Herring
   author of:
   Famous Firearms of the Old West: From Wild Bill Hickok's Colt Revolvers to Geronimo's Winchester, Twelve Guns That Shaped Our History



4. I own both the "Special Colour Edition" as well as the previous release of the book. My mistake was probably to expect the content itself to be refreshed, which in itself is pretty timeless. The fresh colour photographs and hard-cover makes the book a much better gift to rifle enthusiasts than the previous low-cost version.
   
   Still a good buy and must have for any serious fire-arms collector or enthusiast. Don't expect expert advise on any of the specific disciplines such as bench-resting, clay-pigeon shooting or silhouet shooting though. This is a general overview of the rifle and how to use it.



5. Jeff Cooper shows his love of and expertise with rifles in this nicely illustrated book. Covers every possible position and condition of rifle shooting, equipment details, everything you could possibly need to know as a novice or 'expert' (you'll still learn something)in the 'art' of the rifle.

5 comments about The M16/AR15 Rifle, 3rd Ed. (A Shooter's and Collector's Guide).

1. I'm just getting started around the AR type rifles. I picked this book up after reading the fine reviews. I wasn't disappointed. It contains a very good history of the weapon, lists of variations, and details of the working mechanisms. It also shows, in easy to understand pictures and text, how to break down the weapon, dissasemble and clean it. It also shows how more detailed pieces, not normally taken apart for a cleaning, are put together. All-in-all, well worth the money spent. If you're getting started with one of these fine rifles, like I was, or are just interested, this is a great reference for you. If you're already an expert, a different source is probably the place to go.



2. As a newcomer to AR-type rifles, I have read several books and countless articles on the topic but this is by far the most helpful and informative single source I've come across. In addition, it is for the most part both well-written and well-illustrated. It has everything from historical background on the weapon's development to a part-by-part breakdown to modification, maintenance, and accuracy advice. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to know more about our service rifle and its commercial variants!



3. All the way back to my military days, I have never cared much for the M-16/AR-15; I have always thought the AK to be the better, more dependable weapon. This book goes a long way in explaining Mr. Stoner's rifle . . . but Kalashnikov's is still better.



4. Good book with very good information. I still haven't found the "ONE" M-16/AR-15 book but this goes on the shelf. I'd like to have seen parts guides & photos in color. I would encourage the author to contact and talk to some of the Bravo 1/9 Marines who were on Operation Buffalo with regard to his downplaying the problems with early M-16s in Vietnam.



5. I bought this book right before I bought my first AR based on recommendations on several gun forums. Wise choice! If you're an expert or old hand w/ an AR there's probably not much here you wouldn't know, but to the shooter new to this platform or the shooter w/ moderate experience, it's a wise purchase that will pay for itself quickly w/ the info and recommendations it contains. I don't write a lot of product reviews, but this book's been such a help it deserves one.

5 comments about The Mosin-Nagant Rifle (For collectors only).

1. I got my 1927 Izhevsk ex-Dragoon Rifle a few weeks ago and I had to get this book to find out about the history and development of this historic rifle. Mr. Lapin goes into exhaustive detail about all aspects of the rifle: history, politics, development, manufacturers, arsenal marks, different models, slings, bayonetts and he even includes a guide in the back of the book with the Russian alphabet and Russian and Finnish words and phrases which appear on Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines. This is especially helpful when attempting to decipher the Russian words stamped on the barrel. A must-have for the beginning collector!



2. Long version :
   
   This rifle is perfect for collectors of Mosin Nagants as well as people that own one or two examples of this line of rifles. Every marking is explained, every bit of history behind these rifles can be gleaned from this book. For example, would you be able to tell from the markings that your Remington M91 was captured by the Germans in WW1, transferred to the Austrians and then sold to Finland? Do you really not know much about Mosins and want to know what those funky letters mean and what the significance of an arrow in a star is? The rifle smothered in cosmoline you picked up for $50 at a gun show could be worth much, much more to a knowledgable collector.
   
   This book also covers disassembly of the rifle for cleaning and repair, it also contains vital safety information for any Mosin owner. This book is very comprehensive and no part, not even the buttplate screws, are over-looked, with detailed measurements and statistics for every piece of the Mosin rifle.
   
   Short version : if you own a Mosin, buy this book!



3. This is a very detailed reference on the Mosin Nagant rifles. Lists catagories by Part not by year or gun. EX: stocks, receivers, barrels, bayonets, etc.
   As is in the title this book is intended for Collectors Only but Im not a collector and I find the book very useful in comparing parts on my rifles. I really think this was put together very well and is very easy to use.
   Great Book for anyone who wants to learn about Mosin Nagant Rifles as I have not been able to find many books on these at all.



4. A gun collector "must have book". Detailed information on all Mosin Nagant rifle models and accessories.



5. If you have just started collecting this rifle this is one of the best resources you can have. It is easy to understand and full of details. I would highly recommend it.
   
   
   
   
   
   Jim
   NC

5 comments about Dead On: The Long-Range Marksman's Guide to Extreme Accuracy.

1. Almost half of this book is balistics tables, probably for cartridge and bullet combinations you are not shooting.
   
   The rest of the book is mostly geared to the beginning shooter, but the information is not very good. For instance, the authors suggest using scope bases with the built in windage adjustments. The authors must have about zero experience with these bases, which are known for unintentionally allowing your zero to shift. I don't know of any military or lawenforcment tactical shooter, or any civilian long range shooter using the scope bases and rings suggested in the book. The best shooters are using solid steel bases secured to the rifle with over sized screws.
   
   Also, there is no up to date information on long range rifles, gunsmithing, or modern cartridge and bullet design.
   
   A waste of time and money.



2. Picked it and looked at it at a gun show : If you are a total gun moron you might learn something . Bites the big one .



3. If you've ever run out of elevation adjustment on your scope at 600 yards, this book is for you. Noblitt and Gabrilska have put together a cogent (pithy) text on taking your heavy-barreled bolt gun, chambered in a suitable long-range cartridge with appropriate optics and getting on paper at 600, 800, or 1000 yards.
   
   The solutions are surprising, some rather simple and elegant recommendations to create a long-range system--an adequate rifle, the right cartridge, the right scope, the right bases and rings, the right zero or zeros. It's amazing what you can do even with a 1MOA rig, if all these factors are working together. I've discovered some of these techniques after much money and time at the high-power range and in open country. If I'd only known about this book 10 years ago.
   
   The data tables in the back are worth every penny. They are generally reliable. Of course, you'll need to create/tailor your own tables using your field trajectory data, but that's the joy of shooting and discovering how your rifle and cartridge perform under different environmental conditions.
   
   If you are an advanced shooter, you might want to pass. But, if you are new to long range precision rifle and want to get the most out of your equipment, this book comes highly recommended. Not an encyclopedia like many books on this topic, but dialed in on essentials. One of my favorite little books.



4. Both and educational and critical look at what it takes to both get on, and stay on target at long range, would recommend to those looking to get started in long range shooting, however keep in mind that it can be done on a cheaper budget than this book suggests.



5. This is a great book if you are just getting in to long range shooting. It covers the basics of long range shooting, rifles and extra equipment as well as a suggested distance to zero. It is a small book in volume and size. It can fit in your cargo pocket and it only took me a couple days to read it. There are a lot of other books out there that cover long range shooting and sniper shooting, but many are so in depth that it can be difficult to know where to start. Take zeroing, if you talk with a hunter, he'll likely tell you to zero your rifle at 200 yards. If you talk to an Army Sniper, he'll likely tell you to zero your rifle at 300 meters. If you talk to a Marine Sniper, he'll likely say 600 meters (at least that's what they all told me). So, where do you start? This book talks you through a 100 meter zero. Once you gain experience, you will have the know how to choose what is best for you. It also covers the proper way to mount a scope, if you're so inclined. If you are just getting into long range shooting, this book has a lot of great, basic information so you don't get lost. If you've never shot before, especially long range, this book might just inspire you to get into it. After 10 years of being away, this book inspired me to get back into long range shooting.

5 comments about Long Rifle: A Sniper's Story in Iraq and Afghanistan.

1. Some parts of this book are very exciting but I cannot finish it because the author's political rants turn me off completely. I did NOT buy this book to read a Bush basher's whinings. It would've been much better had the author stayed on topic.



2. I have a really hard time beliving this guy was ever active military. his tone is very unprofessional and comes off as an armchair wanna be spec ops



3. I take my hat off to the man himself. Getting into Rangers and through sniper school is tough. Hitting a moving target at 1100m is some shot.
   He makes an excellent point on how the US administration will not let them fight the war and how tough and frustrating it is for the men in Iraq & Afghanistan to be targets that can't fight back but still have to hold out the hand of friendship to the enemy. Furthermore the 'abandonment' of the returning men who have risked their lives for their country leaves one wondering why anyone gets involved with the US forces at all. Other than these points the book is a waste of time and energy. It has no substance, no character development and very little else. Le Bleu should stick to security/training - he is probably better suited to that than writing.



4. This was a well written book that would have been 100% without the political editorials on the Bush Administration. There are always worst Administrations.



5. Joe was kicked out of the rangers, never finished Ranger School and was an all around poor soldier. Anyone who believes his stories is poorly mistaken. I feel bad for anyone this man has got to falsely believe his nonsense.

5 comments about Rifles for Watie.

1. Rifles for Watie
   Rifles is written by Harold Keith. Rifles is an good made up story of the life of a solider during the Civil War. It reads fast and will decently fill you up with some CivilWar facts, but not too many. Jeff, our main character,r is a boy of 17 and joins up with the North after bushwhackers attack his home. Kansas, 1861 is the setting for this book and it covers all of the Civil War. Jeff has some trouble with his commanding officer. Good for kids 10 and up. If you want a good adventure story, this is the way to go.



2. 
   If you like action and adventure books Rifles for Watie is your type of book. It starts out somewhere around the 1890's when a 17 year old kid named Jeff wants to join the army so that he could stop bushwhackers [people who want slavery] to stop terrorizing his family. 13 months in camp many funny things happen and serious things to. Theres also his boss the general that is very pushy and has an iron fist. Did I mention that he has not even fired a shot so far at camp? Which will win north or the south? Will Jeff survive the war? If you want to know you're going to have to read the book and find out your self. Oh one more thing I also forgot to say that the book is fantastic!!!!!!!
   
   Tristan



3. We purchased this for our son who loves historical fiction and it was a wonderful story based on a true story. It was fast paced and very detailed. I would highly recommend this for your personal library as well as for your school library.



4. I FIRST READ R-F-W IN 1992, I HAVE SINCE READ THE NOVEL 10 TIMES. AS A CIVIL WAR BUFF I REALLY ENJOYED THE WESTERN FRONTIER BATTLES. IN HISTORY CLASS ONE USUALLY NEVER GETS MUCH INSIGHT ON THOSE AREAS OF THE CIVIL WAR. I LOVE THE PASE OF THIS NOVEL, IT SEEMS AS IF IT NEVER SLOWS DOWN. I REMEMBER AS A KID FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE CHARECTERS AND WANTING TO BE THEM. WHEN I DEPLOYED TO IRAQ IN 03 THIS BOOK SERVED A LINK BACK TO MY HOME IN ALABAMA. I HAVE READ THIS BOOK TO MY SON AND HAVE GIVEN IT AWAY AS GIFT
   
   STACEY



5. I've always been a military history buff, especially back in my youth when I had dreams of valorous service to my country. One of my favorite military fiction books as a young high school sophomore in the early 1980s was "Rifles for Watie", which I probably checked out from my school library more than just about everyone combined.
   
   Young Jeff (around my age at the time) gets caught up in the Civil War, joins the Union army, and heads off to fight the Confederates. He makes some solid friends and experiences harsh combat in the infantry. However, he's soon directed to go undercover as a faux Rebel and spy on Stand Watie, something of a Nathan Bedford Forrest figure. Jeff grows to admire Watie and his comrades, and even manages to fall for a fiery young Southern woman named Lucy. We follow Jeff's adventures through the war from beginning to end along with a fine cast of supporting characters.
   
   In light of our own overexposure to war in the last eight years I suppose there are some who might criticize "Rifles for Watie" for its dearth of, say, PTSD portrayal or making war look like a grand adventure. But then again, should a romance book include a bitter divorce or flagrant adultery? Yes, Jeff does change as a result of his wartime experiences, but mostly in a positive way. What young man wouldn't want to dream about embarking on a similar heroic journey?
   
   With that in mind, "Rifles for Watie" is an entertaining adventure tale of a a boy who becomes a man as a result of his tour of duty in the military. Of course, I'd recommend that the reader balance this book with more sober and realistic books about wartime service, if only to see how things can go bad in such a context. But this book is highly recommended for the young person interested in a piece of exciting and non-nihilistic military fiction.

5 comments about Sharpe's Rifles (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #1).

1. It's 1809 and Richard Sharpe, professional infantryman in the Peninsular Campaign and until recently a sergeant, has been granted a battlefield commission to lieutenant -- which, actually, he's not too happy about. And he hates being the battalion's quartermaster, but that's the only job his superiors will trust him with, since he's not a gentleman. His battalion of the 95th Rifles has been decimated by the Imperial French in northern Spain and Sharpe is the only officer left. Gathering together the remnant of his unit (who don't trust him either), he tries to find a way to get them to Lisbon, where the Royal Navy might be able to pick them up. And then he runs into a charismatic Spanish cavalry officer who convinces him to help in capturing Santiago de Compostella, the spiritual heart of Spain, from the French. Don Blas Vivar is the custodian of an ancient and holy artifact which he believes will stiffen the national spine of his country, and Sharpe, though he's completely nonreligious, has his own reasons, in the shape of a very attractive young English girl trapped in Spain with her aunt and uncle. The love interest is destined not to go the way he hopes, but Sharpe will find himself developing into the kind of commanding officer he needs to be. There are nearly two dozen books in this series, now, and this one, while it's the first novel actually written, is ninth by internal chronology. I'm a longtime fan of Napoleonic naval adventure novels, but having discovered that Cornwell is terrific at conveying the feeling of infantry life two centuries ago, and that he does a very creditable job of describing combat scenes, I'll be hunting up the rest of Sharpe's adventures.



2. Many people compare the Hornblower books to the Sharpe novels and vice versa. The two series have little in common other than covering similar time periods in British history, one from the naval and the other from the military perspective. As his name suggests, Sharpe is quick-witted and as adaptable as a Swiss army knife. Hornblower is more cerebral and comfortable in his officer's role. Sharpe is initially a fish out of water when leading his men, and he knows it.
   
   If you are like me, you've been reading these books in the order of the events they portray (rather than the order of publication). From that perspective, Sharpe's Rifles is the sixth in chronological order of events.
   
   Since Sharpe was raised to be an ensign by saving the life of Sir Arthur Wellesley as the Battle of Assaye, he's been struggling. The Scottish regiments in India didn't want him because he is English. Posted to the 95th Rifles in England, the officers don't want him because he's not a gentleman born and the men don't respect him for the same reason. But he's seen as valuable in a quartermaster role where he can keep an eye on the tricks that soldiers use to fiddle the stores. Sharpe is a good quartermaster, but he wants to fight instead.
   
   In Sharpe's Rifles, Sharpe comes unexpectedly to command a small group of the 95th Rifles during a disastrous retreat from the victorious French. He decides to take his men to Lisbon to find transport, but the men plan to head north instead. Immediately, Sharpe's authority is challenged and he fights back the only way he knows how . . . with his fists. Into that perilous moment steps a Spanish grandee, Major Blas Vivar, who persuades Sharpe to join forces with his cavalry troops who are carrying a mysterious chest to Santiago de Compostela. What's in the chest? It must be valuable because the French have dispatched a lot of troops to get it.
   
   Trekking in miserable weather over the mountains in winter, Sharpe comes to respect Vivar who helps Sharpe learn how to command. Their alliance is sundered when Sharpe learns that Vivar hasn't been telling the truth about certain things. It doesn't seem to matter when Sharpe learns that the French have taken Santiago de Compostela. There's no point in going there!
   
   Sharpe's life is further upset by running into a family of English Methodists who are trying to convert the "heathen" Catholics to their Protestant faith without much success and demand Sharpe protect them from the French. Sharpe isn't excited about acceding to this demand, but he can't help but be drawn to their young niece who is flirtatious.
   
   Before long, Sharpe is involved in matters that seem more relevant for Don Quixote than for the 95th Rifles as he joins an idealistic crusade to strike a symbolic blow for Spain. From there, it's great fun . . . among the best of the Sharpe novels. Bernard Cornwall has taken a lot of license with history here, and it makes for good story telling.
   
   Fans of Sergeant Harper in the later novels will be thrilled to find out how he became a sergeant in this book.
   
   I suspect this book will be one of your favorites in the series.



3. Great book. Cornwell gives excellent in site to the hardship of war in the 1800's.



4. Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series of historical fiction traces the adventures of Richard Sharpe through India and Europe through the Napoleonic wars. Sharpe begins life as an orphan of a prostitute and joins the army as a private to avoid a worse fate. Over the course of 24 novels and short stories, we follow his adventures, promotions, successes and failures. We also gain a ground-level perspective on the Napoleonic wars and insight into the life of a 19th century soldier through a compelling and gripping character.
   
   Sharpe's Rifles, the sixth in the series chronologically, finds Sharpe in Spain. When his battalion is defeated by French cavalry, he finds himself in command of a small group of surviving Rifles as they escape deeper into Spain attempting to reconnect with the army or find passage back to Britain. Though he was promoted to Lieutenant in an earlier novel, this is his first real combat command. He struggles to gain respect of the men and we get to watch the character grow as he learns to develop his established talent in combat into the qualities that will make men follow and respect him. The backdrop of combat and Sharpe's heroism, typically for Cornwell, drive the novel forward, but this growth on Sharpe's part is the real story of Rifles for me.
   
   This is my favorite of the series thus far, with the exception of the first, Sharpe's Tiger. The Spanish setting is as rich in flavor as the India of the early novels. Sharpe is gaining a whole new dimension as a character. And finally, I loved the character of Patrick Harper and have high hopes that we'll see much more of him as Sharpe's band moves on.



5. [...]
   
   This is the first Sharpe novel Bernard Cornwell ever wrote, but is not the first one chronologically.. you know, llike Star Wars. The difference is that George Lucas thought out all six episodes beforehand presumably, but when Cornwell wrote his first Sharpe he had no idea Sharpe's adventures would become the phenomenon they have. Thanks to the fact that the Richard Sharpe of Sharpe's Rifles unknown to him or his author at the time of this writing means that anyone coming into the series of novels having read the first five will find some slightly askew factors, such as This Sharpe not having had the year with Grace before contemplating a life with Louisa. No matter though.
   
   If you pick up this novel, however, having seen the Sharpe's Rifles movie prepare for some confusion. First of all, the book refers to Sharpe's field commission happening in India when he saved Wellesley's life, while the movie has him doing this in Portugal at the beginning of the movie. And Sharpe and the 95th Rifles have been together for months.. with Sharpe as their quartermaster. In fact, the book begins with the British retreat from Napoleon's armies, before Wellesley comes back and begins his ultimately successful campaign to drive the French out. Don Blas and his flag are here. Hogan shows up at the very end. The whole story of the animosity between the Rifles and in particular harper and Sharpe is here. Sadly, he never gets to say, "Chosen men, eh? Well, I didn't choose you."
   
   However, having Sean Bean and Darragh O'Malley firmly in my imagination, I think I like the book better than the movie. Maybe because Cornwell didn't know Sharpe much at the first the character comes off more callow, more whiny, which is the point. He is bitter and full of self pity, feeling done dirt by having to be the quartermaster and being treated like an interloper by officers and men alike. In this novel Sharpe comes to find his place as an officer leading men in battle. Cornwell does a fine job showing how this happens, how Don Blas's mentorship and the building mutual respect with Harper combines to give Sharpe the support and spotlight to shine. It is completely credible that Hogan, the Irish major, meeting Sharpe and finding out he was the one that helped the Spanish Cassadors take Santiago de Compostella would provide the catalyst for our hero to become the man we all know and love.
   
   A quick rundown of the story. Sharpe is part of a squadron of Rifles that are cut off as the British are being chased to the sea by napoleon's elite armies. Their captain dies and later their sergeant, and Sharpe is thrown into command by virtue of being the sole officer. He struggles not to be killed by friendly fire until he runs into Don Blas Vivar, an idealistic and even visionary Spanish nobleman. Don Blas helps Sharpe develop the skills to lead what men he has left and teaches him how to deal with the hostile Harper, who all but worships Don Blas. The latter convinces Sharpe to bring his men along to hoist a flag once carried into battle with the Moors by the don's ancestor. he means to inspire the Spanish people to resist the French by showing them St. James, Santiago, is on their side and fighting with them. In spite of Sharpe's own skepticism, he goes along with the plan.
   
   In the meantime Methodist missionaries show up with their very pretty daughter, Louisa. Sharpe falls for the young woman, of course, but so does Don Blas. The question becomes, can a good Methodist girl find happiness by adopting idolatrous Papist ways as a Countess or only by following an aging lieutenant with a lower class accent and no education from battleground to battleground? You do the math. I seem to recall in the movie the harridan of an aunt turns out to be a Rothschild in drag, but maybe that was another episode.
   
   I recommend the book.. you should probably see the movie first and then read it, as I am not sure the other way around will work as well. So now you know why Wellesley looked nothing like himself in Episode I -- or is it Episode VI? Whatever. "Use the forks, Luke!"

5 comments about Green Eyes and Black Rifles: Warriors Guide to the Combat Carbine.

1. While this book has taught me a ton of things I never learned as an infantryman, the Magpul DVD Series teaches everything in this book and then some.
   
   4 Stars because the writing could have been edited a few more times before being published and the pictures are mostly small and a bit on the blurry side.



2. I have read several books dedicated to practical rifle marksmanship. They all had their plusses, but now they are supplements to Kyle Lamb's Green Eyes and Black Rifles. It would be a must for anyone who wants to know how to fight with a rifle or compete in practical shooting sports (though it is not particularly geared towards that.) There is also a ton of technical information on the AR platform that will be useful to beginners and experts alike. One of the things missing in other books are the basics, the foundations on which all good shooting is based. Lamb covers it, in a concise and effective way. Things like natural point of aim, ballistics, how to set up your weapon, how your weapon works and what to do when it doesn't are all covered. He gives several practical tips that can only come from years of experience in these subjects. Then the Author goes into the various basic and modified shooting positions useful in practical marksmanship. The illustrations here are outstanding with multi angle pictures that show not only how to do it right, but common mistakes as well. There are also explanations of dry fire and range drills that would be used to train these techniques. (I also recommend a search for Kyle Lamb on YouTube for more advanced drills once you get these basics down.) Even the section on maintenance of the AR platform, which I skipped on the first reading, is useful. I've been cleaning ARs and M16s for 20 years and I still learned stuff. The only thing I would like to have seen added is a dedicated chapter on safety (although this is discussed in the introduction.)



3. Really well laid out. Superb first-hand advice from an obvious master in his field. A must have for anyone who wants to do ANYTHING with a gun in their hand and a valuable resource for anyone who is just interested. I can't rate this book highly enough.



4. This book has a lot of techniques and tips that can help a shooter at any skill level.



5. If you are Tactical Military and Law Enforcement, buy this book!!!
   
   If you are entry level, you learn the right way on weapon application and manipulation.
   
   If you are mid-level, you might unlearn some habits and apply the practical common sense solutions given by a Veteran.
   
   This book is gold. Chapters on proper cleaning, ballistics, rifle composition, slings, optics, shooting positions, transitions, chamber checks, ammo loading and loadout, and the most important answers to "why" from a Seasoned Veteran.
   
   Buy this book for doctrine and reference- Professional Development.
   
   Magpul's Tactical Carbine I and II DVD's should also be purchased for a solid knowledge base on the Black Rifle's proper use Illustrated for the Professional Development Library.