5 comments about American Air Rifles.

1. The information in this book is now 5-6 years old and, in this age of product volatility, a lot of the mentioned rifles are no longer available. There's more here than you probably want to know when it comes to ballistics--I just skip the technical parts. As a casual airgun shooter, I'm really not too interested in the finer points involving physics. What House did in this book was to investigate a subject that is mostly ignored. He reviewed relatively inexpensive American multi-pump air rifles in the context of how they perform in relation to the more sophisticated, expensive--and decidedly less shooter-friendly--European rifles. His conclusion is somewhat astonishing in finding that the American rifles offer a lot of accuracy and utility for a reasonable price.
   
   After reading this book, I felt obliged to dust off my old Daisy and give it a try at 10 meters. Unfortunately, it's been abused and neglected for well over 10 years and the whole barrel assembly was too loose to even attempt to use it again. I again consulted House and went out and picked up a Benjamin 392 that has proven to be a real joy. Every pellet I've tried gives substantially less than .5" groups at 10 meters even in my fairly unsteady hands and with my aging eyes.
   
   The Crosmans, Daisies, Benjamins and Sheridans will never have the following or accolades of the finely crafted spring-piston European models but this book goes a long way in giving them the respect they deserve.



2. This book is an excellent introduction to air rifles, pellets and the ballistics of air rifles. It would serve as a good guide to someone interested in purchasing an air rifle for hunting or plinking. The cover indicates that it covers target shooting, small-game hunting, complete ballistics and pellet selection. The latter three items are covered. However, there is essentially no information on target shooting or rifles designed for target shooting. I realize that the book is limited to American air rifles, but at least the Daisy Avanti models could have been included. There was also a lack of discussion of triggers, a critical rifle component for accurate shooting. I would have rated the book at least 4 stars, if it had not given the impression on the front cover that it included target shooting and target rifles, which was the reason that I bought it.



3. I purchased this book for my husband who loves airguns(all guns), hence the title. He would not put that book down until he read the whole thing! Especially about the Benjamin 392, which is his personal favorite(if you could pin him down to choose a favorite). In his own words,"It is the best book written on American made pneumatic "pump-up" Air rifles that he has read to date. It has plenty of statistics on fps and fpe and pellet accuracy just to name a few. Also great info on small game hunting using "magnum" powered airguns". I am very pleased with my husband's pleasure with this book and I would imagine any airgun buff/collector would not be complete with a copy for his/her library.
   Sincerely,
   S.Morales-SAN JOSE,CA



4. Mr. House's book on air rifles is a good informational book for the masses. It may fall short of Mr. Lumley's expectations but it is fine for the rest of us.

   Mr. Lumley stoops to attacking the author and supposing his motives for writing the book. I don't think Mr. Lumley's comments are constructive nor will they scare off a thinking person.

   The book has good information on air rifles and their performance.




5. This is by far the best book for beginners and intermediate users of air rifles that I have seen so far. Lots of practical information on the selection and use of pellets and rifles. The author has a way of explaining some difficult topics in ballistics that makes the material useful to the non expert. I was also suprised to find out how accurate and powerful American air rifles are. The only additions I would have liked to have seen in the book are, 1) A chapter on shooting technique (target and hunting. and 2) A chapter on maintenance and lubrication. I would highly recommend this book.

1 comments about Rare & Unusual Indian Artifacts: Identification and Value Guide (Identification & Values (Collector Books)).

1. Lar Hothem's RARE & UNUSUAL INDIAN ARTIFACTS: IDENTIFICATION AND VALUE GUIDE packs its pages with color photos of different Indian artifacts, and is a specialty item perfect for any lending library or collector where Native artifacts are researched and collected. It's difficult to find a reference as specific as this: each artifact is divided into category then analyzed for both history and collectible value.

5 comments about The Secret History of the Sword: Adventures in Ancient Martial Arts.

1. Provocative, witty, well argued and full of interesting anecdotes. I could hardly put it down.
   
   Many of its chapters explore the "cut vs thrust" debate - an idiocy that sprang into existance along with the advent of that great fashion accessory, the rapier. With seemingly hundreds of eye-witness accounts to vividly back up his arguments, it makes enthralling reading.



2. This book is an entertaining read and is certainly well researched in parts. Amberger avoids some of the problem that Richard Cohen encountered in "By the sword" but by and large they both extend their considerable expertise just a bit too broadly to support their arguments. His personal experience in the German duelling halls are exciting to read. He wisely avoids much discussion concerning metalurgy and the actual production of blades and doesn't stray far from the European/American tradition which he knows well.
   
   His dismissal of "academic" arguements is curious though, since writing a book is exactly the sort of thing that attracts academic comment. And even though it is certainly nitpicking to point out typos and grammatical errors rather than to address an author's ideas, when the typos begin to pile up (as they do in the last few chapters of this book) it makes the reader wonder about the degree of fact-checking that went into the rest of the text. His humor was enjoyed by some of the other reviewers, I found it irritating. That is just a matter of personal taste.
   
   His sources for western sword work were voluminous and I would love to have access to the same rich fount of information. The problem with his sources came when he broadened out to Eastern arts. To cite Gilbey's "Secret fighting arts of the world" seriously is hysterical - the book is a deliberate joke. Likewise, Bruce Tenger's martial books have been around for a long time, but there are many other sources available regarding the points and techniques of unarmed Eastern martial arts.
   
   "The Secret History of the Sword" is a nice introduction to the history of bladed combat in the West, but serious students should look further.



3. Mr. Amberger did not set out to write a complete history of the sword and fighting techniques. He is an enthusiast writing for other enthusiasts, some previous knowledge and experience, which I lacked, is required. However, the book is mostly fascinating and well-written. His main themes seems to be that sword fighting techniques are much more ancient than commonly believed. He also writes much about the German mensur fighting, which actually is quite interesting. Another theme is he really wants to distuinguish between competitive fencing, which has little to do with real fencing, and duelling and combative fencing: one is a game and one is as serious as it can get.
   I liked his writing style and his erudition. This book would be a serious addition to the library of any fencer with an interest in there sport/hobby.



4. I have recommended this book to over ten people, and every one of them loved it and recommended it to other sword enthusiasts. If you enjoy the sword and its lore and technical aspects in history, practice or application or even all three, make this book your next purchase ASAP! It is an A++ book from cover to cover. (John H. Myers Jr.)



5. AMberger's book is truely one of the best martial art books on the market. While the title suggests a historical tome, it is more an in depth analysis of the issues and theories surrounding sword combat. As for the very few negative reviews; it is hard to belive they have read this book. In style I found it to be engageing and fun. The many full passages from historical texts offer copious ammounts of info if even they are a bit hard to read (old language etc.) The many photos keep the book lively and bring to life the text. Amberger does not, in my opinion, make any argument for, or against any style or method. He is fair and balanced through the entire texts. He also brings other information that may seem periferal but plays such an under-investigated role in combat (Fear, bio-machanics, and psycology.)
   
   Over-all, a wonderful and important text.

4 comments about Fine Gunmaking, Double Shotguns.

1. If you ever consider ordering a bespoke shotgun for yourself read Mr Hughes book which is full of vital information and will help you get the gun you desire



2. Steven Hughes presents a fine overview of the making of a fine side-by-side shotgun. The chapters are logically laid out and the writing is straight forward and easy to read. The photography is, for the most part, excellent and adds to the narrative. However, the book is a prime example of why editors should not rely on a word processor's spellcheck. There are numerous spelling errors and typos, especially in the first half of the book. The chapter on wood finishing repeatedly refers to filling the "pours" of the wood. An otherwise fine book, written by someone who is obviously meticulous in his work. He should not have allowed his book to be published with so many distracting errors in it.



3. If you have any interest in what it takes to build a custom gun, or are contemplating having one built this book is a must read, once you start you cannot put it down.



4. The book is very well written and easy to read. Mr Hughes describes the workmanship involved in producing fine quality double barrel shotguns from picking wood for stocks, metal work, to engraving. The book contains numerous fine photographs of various guns in the process of being worked on. There are also many examples of fine engraving and case colors that can be compared. He details the time involved to make and checker stocks, metalsmith actions and cut engraving for a Fox gun he made for himself. Although he goes into detail on certain processes like checkering and wood finish, he omits much detail on metal working the interior of the shotgun for liability reasons, and as he states 'this is not a "how to book"'. From this book one will get a very good idea of the time and exacting detail that is involved by makers of fine guns to craft a work of art. This book is a must read for any shotgun enthusiast and a welcome addition to any gun library.

5 comments about Winchester Model 52: Perfection in Design.

1. Once again, Herb Houze hit a homerun with his efforts to discuss the history of the Winchester Model 52, and the detail all of the technical specifications. I highly recommend superbly written reference book to anyone who owns or collects the Model 52 Rifle.



2. Excellent reference with a heavy emphasis on the VERY early development of the Winchester 52. If you want to see copies of internal Winchester correspondence, history, marketing and competitive issues, this is the source.

   Additional information is spread chronologicaly throughout the book, and sometimes not easy to retrieve. The index could be a bit more comprehensive.

   My biggest recommendation for improvement would be to include a couple of simple tables, with side-by-side photographs. As follows:
   1. The different styles of stocks used in the various models.
   2. Better illustrations of the various barrel types.
   3. Listings and photos of all the various sight options available on the 52. There were SO many options it will blow your mind.
   4. Common "extras" such as contemporary slings, etc.

   All in all, I don't want to cast a negative shadow on the book. I highly recommend it. If you're interested in buying a 52, or you have one and you're trying to figure out what you have... it's a must buy.




3. I acquired a Model 52 with a 2** serial number minus the receiver sight. The gunshops I spoke to didn't have a clue. I found this book on the internet, bought it and not only found out what I needed to know about the sight and where to get one, but learned a great deal about the 52. If you have a 52, this is the information to learn why it was developed and why it established a niche in 22 history.



4. a great book w/ many pitchers and detailed dwgs. of the greatest .22 ever designed, my only complainte would be that there isn't enough on the year made vs. ser. number. but a great book worth every cent for the information provided.



5. The book is a wonderful read on how the rifle was developed and changed over the years. I found it excellent reading (because I own several 52s). I do wish the author would have researched more on serial numbers...the current info only gives you a guess on when a certain rifle was made. For example, I own #88265 NIB and can not figure out from the book when it was made. 1955? 1956? Overall, the book is a great reference and would like to see another 52 book that focused on repair, modification, and values. If you own a 52, you'll want this one on your coffee table!

No comments about Mr. Gatling's Terrible Marvel: The Gun That Changed Everything and the Misunderstood Genius Who Invented It.

5 comments about A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times.

1. Over the many years I have used Stone's Glossary as a reference, I have seldom been disappointed, but then I don't ask too much of it either. Keeping in mind the era in which it was compiled and the biases thereof, I have little difficulty extracting useful information from it when needed. There are many modern references which are more accurate, and certainly the study of arms and armour has produced more informative works. There are few that rival this work in detail of scope, however. Those which cast as broad a cultural net have fewer examples and entries, while those that are more detailed seldom have nearly as many examples from so wide an area.
   I would highly recommend this book to anyone researching the era for any kind of period fiction or screenplay, especially anything dealing with the height and decline of the British Colonial Empire.



2. This eccentric collection of arms and armour descriptions began as Stone's personal glossary and progressed into the seminal work of his time. Despite its random and too often erroneous misconceptions (the man couldn't figure out how double mail was made or what it was even though he had seen it on several occasions) it offers an ecclectic smattering of the arms and armour Stone encountered during his lifetime. Read with caution, this Glossary proves to be a valuable resource to the arms and armour scholar.



3. A very well illustrated and concise pictionary if you will of arms and armor around the world. A good basic reference work for the arms enthusiast or re-enactor.



4. For the author's supposed fixation on 'Oriental' weaponry, he covers absolutely nothing in regards to Chinese weapons. One picture caption talks about a Japanese chain weapon "Above an unnamed Chinese weapon." The weapon that is 'unnamed' is a wind and fire wheel, much like the indian chakram, but a very popular wepaon nontheless.

   His coverage of Indian, Indonesean and Japanese weapons is acceptable, but his coverage of Chinese wepaons, a very significant field as far as warfare is concerned, is lousey at best. "Of all places places at all times" isn't an accurate description by a long shot, but it's an easy reference for people looking into european weapons for certain. The fact that it was written originally in the 20s makes for a lack of up-to-date info, but again, it's an easy to use reference




5. Despite past "killer" reviews, it is a vital work: easy to use and comprehensive. It is advised however not for the novice because of scattered errors and imagionary information. One must use it along with other, refined works and judge carefully the details.

4 comments about The Blue Book of Airguns.

1. Read about the history of airguns and learn everything you ever wanted to know about various brands and models of airguns made worldwide.



2. this is the complete airguns book i have read, before i read it i never know that there is so much brand and models of the airguns ever made in this world, thanks to DR.Beeman and thanks to amazone.com.



3. The Blue Book of Airguns is a must have for any airgun collector. It has great history of airguns that are very uncommon in the US. I dont always agree with the estimated values but the background, history and pictures of the airguns are great.
   Doug Law
   Nebraska Airgun Addict
   dlaw1940@yahoo.com



4. I originally thought that the book was MORE on airgun operation, types, problems, etc. Of course it it a history of many airguns and their parent companies; to that end, it was very readable.

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

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



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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



5. Anyone who is alive knows that men and women communicate differently. With the influx of women in professions where they are armed it is imperative that instructor's posses the skills to insure women get the most out of their survival skills training. You can take these concepts and apply them anywhere where men and women are around each other. The author teaches real life saving skills that in combination with her husband has literally saved my life. I agree that if you are a man and in a position to communicate information to women you need this book. It helped me greatly to train women in firearm's and in the patrol field training officer.

5 comments about Cartridges of the World: 10th Edition, Revised and Expanded.

1. One of the most comprehensive sources of information about cartridges available. A MUST have for you library of firearms information.
   
   Steve Adams
   AdamsQuailHunter on GunBroker and Ancientguns Forums



2. EXCELLENT BOOK FOR ALL SHOOTERS, FROM THE 22CAL. ON UP !! NOW I REALLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY 9.3X57 AND THE 30/06 CARTRIDGE.



3. A lot of good information but the author seems to be behind in the modern day cartridges. Russ Haydon of the Woodchuck Den has really brought the 20 cal. into public view. With the several 20 cals. out there the author mentioned the 204 Ruger (an outstanding round), but very little else in that caliber.



4. Frank Barnes was one of the great old timers that we have lost. A gentleman of seemingly infinite knowledge concerning ammunition and firearms. Much like his late friend John T. Amber, he willingly shared it with all.
   
   For much of the life of this book I would have easily given it five stars. Indeed if you have never read this book, and have more than a passing interest in cartridges, it still rates five stars. However I have been collecting and shooting guns for over fifty years, and have picked up a few prejudices along the way that color my judgment of the current work (11th ED.).
   
   My main gripe is that the publishing company seems to be trying to turn this into their cash cow by printing new editions in such short order that they actually show little or nothing new.
   
   The entire "Proprietary Cartridges" chapter is another problem. The chapter seems to be little more than an advertisement for JDJ/SSK Industries, Lazzeroni, A-Square, and several other minor players. What makes a cartridge "Proprietary" seems to change from cartridge to cartridge. Indeed some cartridges listed as "Current" would seem to be "Proprietary" and vice versa. Better to scrap this entire advertisement er... chapter, and put the whole mess under "Wildcats" and quit playing at semantics.
   
   With all of the various Short Magnums and Super Short Magnums that have been introduced in the last ten years we seem to be once again in an era of reinventing the ammunition wheel. Whether any of these new cartridges will stick is still up in the air. You would think that this amount of change in the civilian market would spur any number of interesting articles in a publication such as this. Wrong. Instead we learn about the needle gun. Interesting, but hardly timely.
   
   I suspect this publication will continue to flounder as long as the current set up exists. Hopefully someone will adopt the concept as their baby and completely rewrite and edit it closely. This is what it deserves, and what Frank would have wanted as well.



5. This is a great, encyclopedic review of more cartridges than any one shooter is ever likely to see, let alone shoot. Maybe Mr Barnes missed some cartridges, but I think he hit everything important and/or interesting. But why not use scale drawings? It would have taken little more effort to make all the technical drawings life-size, and it would have increased the usefulness of the book greatly. As it is, comparisons between cartridges require a scale and some math, which is a nuisance. Granted, a few of these rounds would need more space on the page, but not many of them. A 50BMG SHOULD have a bigger entry than a 30-30, but instead it's shown reduced. But this is a technical complaint about a very excellent encycopedia. The writing is entertaining, too.