Customer Reviews

Famous Firearms of the Old West: From Wild Bill Hickok's Colt Revolvers to Geronimo's Winchester, Twelve Guns That Shaped Our History

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There are a lot of books out there that cover historical firearms, biographies of the men who used them, or the world they lived in. Herring's book is one of the few that combines all three of these aspects into one story. By selecting specific weapons, the men who used them, and how society looked at that particular time, Famous Firearms Of The Old West provides the reader with a glimpse of the growth of our nation.

This is not just a gun book. Anyone interested in history, sociology, or firearms should find a great read in this book.

Tiger McKee

The Book of Two Guns: The Martial Art of the 1911 Pistol and AR Carbine

Hal Herring's 2008 volume is a marvel...and a marvelous read. Herring examines the life history of a dozen historic Wild West firearms and the men who used them. Filled with thrilling stories and larger-than-life characters, it presents a vivid picture of the Wild West. I can't remember when I have enjoyed reading a book as much as I did FAMOUS FIREARMS OF THE OLD WEST.

The firearms and personalities covered in Herring's book reads like a who's who of the Wild West: 'Wild Bill' Hickok and his Colt Model 1851 revolvers, John Wesley Hardin's Colt Lightning Double Actions, Geronimo's Winchester Carbine, Joseph Smith's Pepperbox pistol, Pancho Villa's Smith & Wesson American Revolvers, John Brown's Sharps Model 1850, etc. Herring deftly combines the history of each weapon's development with the life story of each individual to produce an entertaining and educational "look back."

The book is nicely illustrated with vintage photos of the firearms and users along with contemporary color pix of the weapons themselves. The combination of history and illustrations really makes the Wild West come alive.

In short, FAMOUS FIREARMS OF THE OLD WEST is a gem, fascinating history related by a master storyteller. Anyone interested in the Wild West will want to purchase a copy of Herring's book. Highly recommended.

*****
One minor criticism: no index.

Herring writes about guns the way McPhee writes about rocks, fish, and oranges. In an easy but confident voice, Herring describes the history and people behind a dozen firearms. He managed also to be informative but not pedantic and decidedly avoids hook and bullet assumptions. A pleasure to read.

For those that yearn for yesteryear and a hearty 'Hi-yo Silver!' this is the real thing. Hal delivers again. If you think you know the story of the person, it is fascinating to see how his story would not have been possible with out his particular firearm.

BUY THIS BOOK!! Great stuff. History and culture, and people and their guns, all wrapped up in one very readable package. Some finely told gunfights here, too. Eagerly awaiting Herring's next book....

For anyone interested in the history of the old West, this is a must read. In about the 1840s the machine tool industry was born in New England and with it, more and better guns - no longer the hand made affairs of the 18th century. These weapons are the history of the West. Herring examines our legacy through the lives and firearms of 12 influential figures of the old West. He carefully describes the mechanics of each firearm and separately outlines the life and times of each individual. This enbales the reader to dip in and out of the stories. This book is well written and well researched. It's a fascinating read. I couldn't put it down.

The title is unfortunate in a way. It does little justice to what is a sweeping and heart-pounding narrative of a time lost to history yet ever-present in the American consciousness. You don't need to be a gun buff, or even know the first thing about guns for that matter, to enjoy the read.
As a collection, Herring's chapters on individual figures from John Brown to Bonnie and Clyde go far beyond the weapons that made them famous. These are epic and revealing tales of men and women - from lethal lawmen to outlaw teenage girls - who lived outsized lives, shaped American destiny and gave rise to the legends that define our common history.
Great stories gracefully told.

A must for every gun owners library, the perfect gift for the hard to shop for. I highly recommend buying an extra copy for yourself because your friends will want to borrow yours.

Very detailed book but not that interesting to me. I read a few paragraphs but didn't feel it was what I expected and returned the book.

Very interesting information about some famous Old West firearms. A MUST for the gun or Wild West enthusiast!