Reviews
"...Magisterial..." the Atlantic, "...succeeds admirably by putting the gun into its social, historical and technological context in an evocative narrative." The Washington Post, "C. J. Chilvers tells a remarkable story of how this one, superbly reliable firearm became the most abundant ever produced, and was to exceed the consequences even of Soviet nuclear know-how in the Cold War, and beyond."--Alistair Horne, author ofThe Price of GloryandA Savage War of Peace, "...A Compelling Perspective on 20th-Century Warfare..." Slate.Com, âC.J. Chivers, a brilliant war correspondent, is an equally capable military historian. By telling the story of a gun--well, not just any gun but arguably âtheâ gun--he reveals much about crime, war, and terror, and he does so in convincing and compelling fashion.â --Evan Thomas, author of The War Lovers, âThe Gun is for those who wonder how we fight today and why we fight that way. C. J. Chivers has given us a seminal work that will be respected by future generations trying to understand us.â --James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers, Fly Boys, and The Imperial Cruise, "C.J. Chivers, a brilliant war correspondent, is an equally capable military historian. By telling the story of a gun--well, not just any gun but arguably 'the' gun--he reveals much about crime, war, and terror, and he does so in convincing and compelling fashion."--Evan Thomas, author ofThe War Lovers, "'š One of the Finest War Correspondents of His Generation'š" the Wilson Quarterly, Advance Praise forThe Gun"C. J. Chivers'The Gundoes exactly what the best art history or music writing does-it opens our eyes to see anew the familiar. Chivers' reach and scope is syncretic, omnivorous-he is dazzling in his research and reporting. This is a book about connections between people and culture, people and history, nations with nations. Chivers pulls together vast threads of an expanding portrait and what emerges is startling.The Gunis filled with a sense of discovery in the way that John McPhee's work is filled with delight, tribulation, and surprise."--Doug Stanton, author ofHorse Soldiers, Â& One of the Finest War Correspondents of His Generation&" the Wilson Quarterly, 'The Gun is for those who wonder how we fight today and why we fight that way. C. J. Chivers has given us a seminal work that will be respected by future generations trying to understand us.' --James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers, Fly Boys, and The Imperial Cruise, "...for disciplined and devoted scholars of the history of modern war, politics, and ideology, and how the automatic weapon has forced the transformation of the essence of combat... ...a colossal effort... ...appears to have created a history-laced masterpiece." Marine Corps Gazette, '& One of the Finest War Correspondents of His Generation&" the Wilson Quarterly, âC. J. Chilvers tells a remarkable story of how this one, superbly reliable firearm became the most abundant ever produced, and was to exceed the consequences even of Soviet nuclear know-how in the Cold War, and beyond.â --Alistair Horne, author of The Price of Glory and A Savage War of Peace, "...bold history... ...Mr. Chivers the enthusiast and expert shares the page with Mr. Chivers the historian and journalist the expert dealing well with the detailed mechanics of his subject, the journalist at other times brilliantly illuminating the book with highly effective vignettes of human courage, ingenuity and, mostly, suffering." The New York Times, âThanks to C. J. Chivers, every G.I. and Marine in Vietnam who threw down his jammed M-16 in despair can trace the development of the better weapon he envied. The Gun is part a biography of Mikhail Kalashnikov and his AK-47, part grim social history and, in all its parts, entirely absorbing.â --A. J. Langguth, Our Vietnam: The War 1954-1975, "The Gunis a model of research, historical writing, military expertise, and a soldier's ungrudging respect for a weapon that really works."--Thomas Powers, author ofIntelligence Wars, "...A Compelling Perspective on 20th-Century Warfare..." &-Slate.Com, â The Gun is a model of research, historical writing, military expertise, and a soldierâs ungrudging respect for a weapon that really works.â --Thomas Powers, author of Intelligence Wars, Advance Praise for The Gun âC. J. Chiversâ The Gun does exactly what the best art history or music writing doesit opens our eyes to see anew the familiar. Chivers' reach and scope is syncretic, omnivoroushe is dazzling in his research and reporting. This is a book about connections between people and culture, people and history, nations with nations. Chivers pulls together vast threads of an expanding portrait and what emerges is startling. The Gun is filled with a sense of discovery in the way that John McPheeâs work is filled with delight, tribulation, and surprise.â --Doug Stanton, author of Horse Soldiers, "Thanks to C. J. Chivers, every G.I. and Marine in Vietnam who threw down his jammed M-16 in despair can trace the development of the better weapon he envied.The Gunis part a biography of Mikhail Kalashnikov and his AK-47, part grim social history and, in all its parts, entirely absorbing."--A. J. Langguth,Our Vietnam: The War 1954-1975, "Š One of the Finest War Correspondents of His GenerationâŠ" the Wilson Quarterly
