Boston's Gun Bible
by Boston T. Party, Kenneth W. Royce
|
List Price: Our Price: $21.45 You Save: $11.55 (35%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $18.00 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Boston's Gun Bible
Book Review: Inspiring careful reflection and considered action
Summary: 5 Stars
Boston's Gun Bible, written by Kenneth W. Royce, is scholarly and philosophical, as well as passionate, political and technical. It is no accident that Mr. Royce cites the ultra-science fiction/political satire, Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon, as "one of the five best novels I have ever read". Like Stephenson's book (Stephenson is postmodern Melville) Royce's "Bible" is a collage, a pastiche, a rich simmering brew of humor, ideas, opinions, cant, rant and instruction.Given the book's patchwork style, I think it best to review it according to themes. There are three I will consider: 1. Technical Aspects of Firearms; 2. Philosophy of Firearms;
3. Politics. Other themes which are thoughtfully developed in the 848 page book are on the laws governing gun use, women and guns, self-defense, tactics and training, combat rifle history and how to become a rifleman.
The Technical discussion is one of the strongest sections. I came to this book as a complete newbie as far as firearms are concerned. But the technical part of the book rewards careful reading. It is a complete and meticulously considered course on firearms - how to buy them, how to evaluate them, how they work, how to keep them working, etc. Of the 46 chapters in the book 22 are devoted to this one topic. In his sections evaluating various rifles and pistols, Mr. Royce, using a system he devised, rates dozens of rifles and pistols. His system employs "63 criteria...to rate the controls, features and specifications of combat rifles." And while it is true his full system is deployed only against rifles, the system itself is an extremely useful tool for evaluating any firearm, and also comparing firearms among themselves within distinct classes
The Philosophical aspect of the book is as difficult and convoluted as the Technical part is straightforward. On the one hand, this is in the nature of philosophy. On the other, the difficulty has to do with the purpose and meaning of guns in human culture. This topic has no Socrates (unless it is Nietzsche), and Mr. Royce in this book provides what is only a rudimentary outline. (In his other books, none of which I have read, he may articulate more fully his philosophical arguments.) Mr. Royce's view of human society is that it consists of a very large number of sheep-like beings, who are preyed upon by a few rapacious predators and/or bad governments. He seeks to lay out a third position: "those who refuse to be either", and offers as an example, "an armed libertarian".
The core values of the Third Way are the values of the Warrior, and in any number of ways, Mr. Royce drapes the term Warrior in the full regalia of an ancient and venerable tradition. By denying the Warrior as predator (Mr. Royce's Warrior is no berserker, no pirate, no storm trooper and no imperialist) he evokes a sterner, more finely tempered kind of life, where honor, personal responsibility and concern for others hold pride of place. Human life is intrinsically a life of struggle, and in Mr. Royce's view, a person can accept the reality of this and learn to fight, or he can flee this responsibility, outright by becoming prey, or indirectly by delegating his role to other "protectors". Unfortunately, as any reading of history will attest, the protectors all too often themselves become the predators. Only the Warrior, living a value imbued life that explicitly eschews violent domination of others, can move beyond the predator/prey cycle. The state for which the Warrior strives is that of liberty, and the life of liberty in human societies is moved by four forces, symbolized as the soap box (discussion), the ballot box (formulation), the jury box (interpretation) and the cartridge box (decisive action). In the real world, the first three do not exist in a substantive way without the fourth. And for that reason, firearms - "liberty's teeth"-are the necessary though not sufficient conditions to resist servitude.
The Political themes of this book are the most passionate, and the least organized, of all.
Royce very rightly champions the second amendment as not only the safeguard of the right of each individual to keep firearms but the major bulwark against evil doers and tyrannous governments. Scattered throughout the book are many statistics concerning the relationship between gun ownership and crime. Just in case you are wondering, when a society is armed, there is less crime. Any society which disarms its citizens AND maintains a low rate of crime, does so only by sacrificing many of what we still regard as fundamental human rights (i.e. Japan).
With respect to tyrannical governments, Mr. Royce's arguments are not convincing, at least to me. Certainly, he does have history on his side. "Death by government" was a central motif of the twentieth century, and many previous centuries as well. People would do well to be wary of governments. They would do well to be prepared to take action against tyrannous governments. The question is, Do Americans now face such tyranny? Has the time come to step off the soap box, batten down the ballot box, burn the jury box and open the cartridge box? Mr. Royce is convinced that such a time is imminent, but his arguments in this direction are flimsy. The Political side of the book does not answer to the Philosophical side.
This is a strong book, which I recommend most highly for anyone who is interested in firearms, and who wishes to learn more about any of the themes I have outlined. Owning and using guns is a method which, in mature use, inspires careful reflection, as well as considered action.
Book Review: What a Stinker
Summary: 1 Stars
I have to say, reading the positive reviews before purchasing this book I thought for sure I couldn't go wrong. After all, some fairly well known names thought this book was the best modern reference out there for evaluating various firearms, calibers, and related equipment. After I ordered my copy from Amazon, I was anxious to start reading it from cover to cover. After the first few pages I realized I'd been had.
As noted on the other negative reviews, there was the glaring issue with font, page numbering, etc. that really gets in the way of reading any part of this book. Why an author would take it upon himself to come up with his own fashion of how a book should be written is something I just can't get my mind around. I think the horrible layout (and poor writing in general) takes away from any message the book is trying to get across. The points about politics are so in your face that even though I agree when some of them, I couldn't stomach the way in which they were delivered. The pages of rantings where every other word is in bold, capitalized, italicized, and underlined reminds me of the tone of the occasional blowhard that hangs out at the gun shop. I believe that if your point is valid, you shouldn't have to work so hard to get it delivered.
The arrogance of the author oozes from the pages as you slowly make your way through this book. He asserts that certain calibers of handguns and rifles are not only undesirable but actually states that the only legitimate reason for having said weapons are that the owner is old, infirm, or a woman. I should point out that these weapons are the same used to protect U.S. citizens everyday and are used by militaries and law enforcement worldwide. When these statements come from someone who has no combat experience, military or LEO background to speak of I don't find them very credible. Not only is there this lack of professional knowledge, but as far as I can ascertain, the author's expertise comes from attending some gun school classes. Now don't get me wrong, I have attended courses on tactics and gun handling and I think they can be great learning experiences, but they do not make you expert on the subject matter by themselves.
The author's credibility is further called into question when he cites passages from certain fictional works (namely Unintended Consequences) as facts. For example some of his summaries on the incidents at Ruby Ridge, Waco, and the Miami Shootout are lifted straight from a novel that took creative liberties with these incidents in order to tell a story. Instead these tragic examples should have been presented with facts properly researched. Once I smell out someone trying to sell me lies as truth I stop listening. Again, if what you have to say is valid, you shouldn't have to resort to such measures.
I just don't understand why this book has such a high rating. My only guess is that the majority of the people who have ranked this book are of the same political party as the author (the author repeatedly beats you over the head with his political views) and have backed this crappy book solely due to mutual beliefs; however, I don't think anyone should be given a pass on quality writing just because their political views align with mine.
I hang onto my copy only so I can show it to someone at the gun shop or range if I hear them saying they may purchase it. Maybe I can save a few others from wasting money on this book. If you're looking for something useful about modern firearms stay away from this bound collection of ravings. Apparently the author was so ashamed of the book he wouldn't even use his own name on the cover (that should have been a big warning sign for me before I bought it).
Book Review: A fine reference work and wake-up call
Summary: 5 Stars
Boston's Gun Bible may be the definitive reference work for those who understand the true meaning behind the Second Amendment, which is to guarantee, as a last resort, the ability of citizens to defend their lives and liberty through asymmetrical warfare against a tyrannical government. Those who want to take the necessary steps to prepare for the worst would be well-advised to purchase this book and consider its advice. Those who DON'T see any reason why it's necessary to be armed and ready to defend their rights should ALSO buy this book, as it will describe the dangers facing you and perhaps wake you from your slumber.
With a refreshing sense of humor and a tone that ranges from easygoing to earnest, Boston provides a solid overview of just about every gun-related subject imaginable while going into extensive detail on certain topics (especially the advantages and disadvantages of various rifles). A historical overview of military weapons is provided, along with a detailed analysis of the major battle rifles and carbines currently available in the United States. Rifles such as the M14/M1A, FAL, HK91, AR-15, and AK-74 are given ratings (with justification) in numerous categories and subcategories. While this ratings system is necessarily somewhat subjective, Boston does a fine job of translating his experience and that of many others into a formal analysis that is perhaps as close to objectivity as one can expect.
One recurring theme is the superiority of the general-purpose, semi-auto .308 battle rifle over assault rifles (which Boston calls "battle carbines") firing 5.56 NATO, 5.45x39, and especially 7.62x39. I generally agree with Boston on this, although his observation that the .308 is better at penetrating cover must be qualified in the case of some kinds of body armor: readily-available steel-core 5.56 NATO is classified as a higher armor penetration threat than the lead-core 7.62 NATO (roughly equivalent to .308 Winchester) commonly available on the civilian market. I understand that there is also some debate among shooters and ballistics experts as to whether FMJ 5.56 bullets actually cause MORE damage than FMJ .308 at close ranges. (For hunting deer, of course, the .308 is better, but then you probably wouldn't be using a FMJ bullet for hunting.) Nevertheless, I agree that the .308 is the better overall round, as it does penetrate most battlefield cover better and can be used to fight beyond the range of assault rifles. When you're outnumbered, the last thing you want is to be up close!
You'll also find plenty of material on subjects such as bolt-action rifles, the .50 BMG, how to properly set up a scope (and which optics are the best), night vision devices...really, just about everything you can think of is here. Perhaps most important of all, however, is the "Don't Tread On Me" attitude Boston attempts to inculcate in the reader. We Americans have gotten so accustomed to having our rights trampled upon that one can hardly imagine an armed resistance taking place for ANY reason short of having all of our firstborn children slaughtered by jackbooted police-state agents. Boston reminds us that we have no rights apart from those we're willing to fight for -- to paraphrase him, they'll let us quote the Bill of Rights all the way to the camps. Hopefully we'll never need the information this book provides, but the time to prepare is NOW. For those who aren't sure where to begin, this book is probably the best place to start.
Book Review: Informative, but too sloppy
Summary: 2 Stars
The April 2002 edition of The Gun Bible would be a fantastic book, but it has some problems. The technical information about firearms was very educational, even for a long-time gun owner such as myself, but the book suffers from sloppy historical research.For example, Boston includes a statement attributed to George Washington about guns being "liberty's teeth." While I agree with the sentiment, the problem is that there is no evidence that George Washington ever uttered or wrote such words. This is one of those bogus pro-gun quotes that continues to circulate in the gun community. ... Party also includes a statement attributed to Adolph Hitler in 1935. "This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration! Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future." This quote is also bogus. No one has ever been able to find the original citation, and yet if you plug that quote into a search engine, you will find numerous pro-gun websites that have that quote attributed to Adolph Hitler. The fact is that the year 1935 just does not correlate with the passage of any gun control laws in Germany. Critical years for gun control in Germany were 1919, 1928, and 1938. Yes, Hitler did make statements about the importance of disarming one subjects, so why weren't such legitimate quotes included?
Boston T. Party stubs his toe again on a different bogus quote in chapter 41 when he repeates a false quote attributed to Thomas Jefferson. "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." Occasionally the Jefferson quote is given with the following citation: Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 (C.J.Boyd, Ed., 1950). The publication exists, but the quote does not. The editor's correct name is Julian P. Boyd, not C.J. Boyd. Personally, I agree with the sentiment, and wish I knew who said it. We do know that there is zero evidence that Jefferson ever said or wrote this, but plug it into a search engine and you will find lots of websites that still carry this quote. Even Walter Williams was taken in by this canard in an essay he wrote called "Constitutional Ignorance" in which he takes Senator Edward Kennedy to task for the senator's ignorance.
Boston T. Party titled his book "The Gun Bible." Forgive me, but if the title of your book includes the word "bible," then it has to be 100% correct. The imperfections make me wonder what else in Boston's book is just wrong.
He needs to do three things with this book. First, he needs to go back through and check each and every fact. Every quote needs to be properly sourced. Fear not the footnote. Second, he needs to include an index. Third, he needs to pick a font and go with it. In his excitement, he uses bold, italic, bold italic, and sometimes CAPITALIZED. Alright, alright already, I don't need the important stuff thrust into my face as if Im such an idiot that I might miss it. It reminds me of going to a party and getting cornered by some fanatic with bad breath who just wont stop going on about the Kennedy assassination, or global warming, or vegetarianism, or NAFTA, or his recovery, or whatever.
As it is, the book's serious flaws prevent me from recommending it to my friends. I hope he fixes these problems in later editions.
Book Review: Invaluable Reference for both the Novice and Experienced Shooter
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this book soon after reading the author's first work of fiction, Molon Labe, and I couldn't be more happy with the purchase. Given all the gun media out there that competes for your reading dollar, this is about the best $20 i've spent in some time. Gun Magazines all make their livelihoods selling advertising to gun manufacturers and thus, their reviews tend to sugar-coat flaws. Not so with Boston! His evaluations are unbiased and cut like a razor. Had I bought this book before I purchased my $1400 Armalite AR-10A4 that jams at least a round or two per mag regardless of the ammo/mag, I would have saved a good deal of money and bought a FAL or M1A to start with. The book lives up to its title in that it is a compendium of hands-on researched and empirically analyzed information about firearms for all purposes, with an emphasis on home defense and defense of Liberty in general. I have read and reread the book so many times in the last 4 months that I expect I'll need to replace it soon. The poor thing is starting to fall apart; it's that solid of a reference.
Other reviewers have gone in depth to explain the contents of the books so I will not duplicate their work. However, I find it helpful to mention the three sections that have been the most useful to my interests. I was interested in purchasing a full power battle rifle (308) to replace my jamming AR-10 but given the costs involved, Boston's complete evalations of all the major battle rifles (AR-10, FAL, HK91, M1, M1A, AR-15, Steyr AUG, AK-47, AK-74) were invaluable in helping me to select a DSA Para FAL that fills my needs and goes bang every time I pull the trigger. The second area that was very useful for me was the surplus ammunition evaluation. Nowhere else have I found a solid accuracy evaluation of various types of available surplus ammuntion for 308, 223, and 50 BMG surplus projectiles. Given a battle rifle's appetite for ammunition and Boston's maxim "Ammunition turns money into skill", information ranking the accuracy of surplus ammo in various rifles alone justifies the cost of this volume. Lastly, a section of the book has a solid evaluation of the items needed and costs of getting into 50 BMG target rifle shooting. Boston provides a full evaluation of what is required (rangefinders, ammo, reloading, optics) as well as ranking rifle models previously unheard of by me and most "gun-guys". While the book definitely doesn't discourage one from purchasing a 50 BMG rifle, the text is definitely an eye-opener that these behemoths aren't for everyone, especially those without a well-rooted money tree.
Overall, Boston's Gun Bible is a very solid book (and an exceptional value) for both the novice interested in purchasing their first defensive handgun or hunting rifle to the experienced enthusiast looking to thoughtfully fill up their gun safe. Should you buy it outside Amazon, be sure to get the current edition which has been updated since the 1994 "Krime Bill" expired. The version offered here on Amazon.com as a New Book is the updated edition.