In the present climate of opinion, it may be regarded as controversial even to review such a book as this. Readers should therefore be reminded at once that it is part of a bona fide series of specialist works on different types of weapons, which from their content are obviously intended mainly for those who have a legitimate use for the weapons listed therein. They will find an illustration of each gun, along with its basic statistics (calibre, weight, etc.) the principles of its design, its history, its distinctive characteristics (safety devices have a prominent place here) and, significantly, a statement of who its intended users are: soldiers, police or whatever. Even the lay reader may find its contents instructive, especially the sections which describe modern trends in the design of each type of weapon. The revolver, we are told, has hardly changed in 100 years, but is still in use because it is believed to be more reliable than the more sophisticated automatic pistol. This latter continues to evolve, often in a manner which must worry those responsible for security: some are only five inches long, while others use little metal in their structure. Ironically, the sub‐machine gun, the most recently developed of the three types, is in decline, being overtaken by the more capable assault rifle. The individual descriptions may also provide some food for thought: for example, feminists will be interested to know that a well‐known American firm produces revolvers specially designed for ladies (their word). Cataloguers will find the book a bibliographic enigma, since it possesses a sort of sub‐subtitle, in smaller letters before the subtitle.
In conclusion, this is (as far as a layman can tell) a reliable guide to a subject whose nature is nowadays likely to restrict its sales to libraries with a professional interest in this field. We may hope that one day there will be no need for books of this kind: but I fear that day will be a long time coming.
