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natertot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
naviajack's review against another edition
Told to read for a threat assessment class but it wasnt what I thought it would be. I just wasn't that interested in the creation of a gun.
encgolsen's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
This is an excellent, well-written, heavily researched, non-partisan account of the creation of the AR-15 and its impact on American society. It is also harrowing in its depiction of the use of the military version, the M16, in Vietnam, and the AR-15's role in increasingly frequent mass shootings. This book offers no easy answers but it does give necessary context for a uniquely American tragedy that we seem unwilling or unable to end.
syds_shelves's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Works really well as a whole book. Beginning is pretty slow and felt bogged down with a lot of gun facts and info that went over my head, as someone who doesn't know about guns. It works interestingly when paired with the rest of the book if you continuously think "They were trying to streamline this" and all the ramifications. The second half of this is pretty grim because it makes you realize that we aren't ever going to get meaningful gun reform without politics changing in a way I don't think politicians are willing to let happen. All other gun reform will just be used to further militarize the police and military while criminalizing (largely) black and brown people. This is the only "gun" book I've read outside of Columbine and the difference in the number of shootings mentioned is horrifying. Some of the worst shootings in the past don't even crack "top worst" now and everyone is numb to it.
cosmicbookworm's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This is a great listen. It was interesting, and I was compelled, to learn about the history of the AR-15 and how it has become so prevalent in American society. I ended up purchasing the ebook to be able to have it as a reference. There is a lot of history here and I learned a lot.
The first part of the book is about the creation of the AR-15 by Eugene Stoner. Some of this section lags - it perhaps could have been presented in a more concise way, although I am not sure what could have been left out. It is good background information to be aware of. The second part of the book details the usage of AR-15 by civilians and the laws that have either been made or failed to be made to restrict its use.The facts are presented in a way that gives us the facts but doesn’t preach at us what we should think about it. This approach makes the book powerful.
I feel much more informed after consuming this information, and feel it is important to have an understanding of this history. I will be coming back again and again as I have an opportunity to engage in conversation about this important issue.
The first part of the book is about the creation of the AR-15 by Eugene Stoner. Some of this section lags - it perhaps could have been presented in a more concise way, although I am not sure what could have been left out. It is good background information to be aware of. The second part of the book details the usage of AR-15 by civilians and the laws that have either been made or failed to be made to restrict its use.The facts are presented in a way that gives us the facts but doesn’t preach at us what we should think about it. This approach makes the book powerful.
I feel much more informed after consuming this information, and feel it is important to have an understanding of this history. I will be coming back again and again as I have an opportunity to engage in conversation about this important issue.
farfromginger's review
informative
tense
4.5
. Loved the majority of the history and backstory. The interviews were excellent but I felt the position/opinion lacked some meat. In any case a very gripping read and should be required reading for pundits, parents, and 2A advocates who resist limitations.