THE M1 CARBINE: Classic American Small Arms at War (The American Firepower Series #1) (v. 1) [Hardcover]

Tom Laemlein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2006

This is the first volume in an exciting six part series depicting classic American small arms in training and combat during the Second World War and Korea. Featuring exquisite, high quality duo-tone images culled from the US National Archives, these titles present a unique and intimate look at such ubiquitous fire arms as the M1 Carbine and Garand, as well as the valiant "dog-faced" infantrymen and tank crews who used them. From combat in the forests of France and Germany, to the black sand beaches of the Pacific Theater and Korea, each title contains roughly 100 exceptional images which will provide a wealth of visual information for gun collectors, re-enactors, modelers and historians, interested in taking a new look at some legendary weapons.

REVIEWS

"For M-1 Carbine fans, collectors, and historians of WWII, this tome is a gem."Gun Week, 12/2009

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Historical Archive Press (June 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974838926
• ISBN-13: 978-0974838922
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 11.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thanks to everyone who has purchased my books, from whatever source you find them. I started to collect interesting photos of American small arms about 10 years ago and it quickly grew beyond a hobby. Several friends encouraged me to publish the photos and after a short time of experimenting with a format, we came up with the American Firepower series. It seemed like the most fitting way I have to honor my father and my uncles who served in combat in World War Two, plus my Grandfather and his brother who fought in World War One, and ultimately, all of our veterans from all eras.

There have been many wonderful technical histories of American small arms produced over the years, written by such great researchers as Jim Ballou, Larry Ruth, Bruce Canfield, Scott Duff, Frank Iannamico, Dolf Goldsmith and many others. Most of these men have become my friends since I began publishing my photo studies of American arms. I found that my books filled a niche for researchers, collectors and historians, providing the visual information that shows unique modifications, battlefield use and other important details that help fill in the cracks in the history of any particular weapon. Most of the technical researchers and gun writers don't have the time to do extensive photo research. That's why my books have been seen as complimentary to the works of the men I mentioned earlier.

I have noticed that the few negative reviews my books have received come from folks that didn't seem to understand that my books are not technical and are rather "in action" photo journals of the weapons. I think this happened early on as these books created a new category within the greater niche of "gun books". The photos I publish are rarely seen images (many often never before published)and with each new volume I get peppered with questions like: "Where did you find these photos?" It would take me far too long to explain, and you would likely be bored to tears. Suffice it to say that I spend a lot of time in archives, museums and libraries, as well as sorting through private collections and buying images when they present themselves.

I am often amazed a what tremendous discussion (and often outright arguments) that the photos I publish can stir up. Many long-held perceptions or even misconceptions have been challenged or undone by a mere photograph. I never would have suspected such great interest in small arms photos. It is certainly there and I do my best to provide a complete visual record of the weapons that I cover in my books.

The balance of my American Firepower series, along with several other titles, is being produced under the banner of my own publishing company: Armor Plate Press. It is my hope to have my full catalog available here at Amazon by the middle of 2011. For the time being, you can always find my books on my website at www.armorplatepress.com Certain gun book and military book dealers carry them as well.

I want to say that I am extremely grateful to be able to do this. I have met so many wonderful people who are so very kind to me and share their experiences and their remembrances of loved ones who have served our country. My books have been sold around the world and this has brought me many new friends, here in the USA and many places around the globe. Thanks so much to all our readers and customers. The pipeline is full and we will have more new books available in early 2011.

Best regards, Tom Laemlein Armor Plate Press

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A new perspective on the US M1 carbine, June 28, 2006

By 

Fredrik (Mansfield, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: THE M1 CARBINE: Classic American Small Arms at War (The American Firepower Series #1) (v. 1) (Hardcover)

This book is not another attempt to tell the production history

or variations of the carbine. There are many other books available that cover that. This is a refreshing approach to presenting the carbine, and done in a very professional manner.

I have been a researcher and collector of the M1 carbine for more than 30 years and have I believe every book published to date. But this is the first book that focuses on the carbine in action, behind the lines and on the front line. The 154 photos are US Signal Corp or National Archive for the most part. Reproduction is flawless, and printed on high quality paper in Europe. If you want to get to know the carbine as it was used in both Europe and the Pacific, as well as Korea, this would be a good edition to your library. The only negative, and why I rated it 4 stars, is the price. But this is a low volume, high quality production, and they didn't cut any corners. That kind of product doesn't come at bargain basement prices. And the cost is only about $ .28 per photo with more than half being full page size.

If your a serious collector or interested in this fine weapon I don't think you will be disappointed with this book. I wasn't

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A photo odyssey, September 23, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: THE M1 CARBINE: Classic American Small Arms at War (The American Firepower Series #1) (v. 1) (Hardcover)

This first volume in the 'Classic American Small Arms at War' series deserves a spot in any authoritative military history library collection: it reflects the author's love affair with the M1 carbine and packs vintage black and white war photos from the US National Archives on every page as it cover the carbine in action during WWII and in Korea. As a photo odyssey of the carbine's impact and role, it provides powerful historical images.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History Needs Pictures!, July 14, 2009

By 

C. C. Clark III "amateur historian" (Hampden, Maine) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: THE M1 CARBINE: Classic American Small Arms at War (The American Firepower Series #1) (v. 1) (Hardcover)

Too much of history is not illustrated. What is needed is a better sense of what the history-makers looked like, what they wore, and in this case, what weapons they used to make history.

This book is an excellent collection of photographs, each showing the classic M1 Carbine in use. Especially interesting is the peripheral detail in the pictures, most of which are clear and sharp. Any admirer of this firearm should have this book. One thing I found fascinating was the greater use of the carbine by the Marines over the Army, given the Marines' image of "riflemen all." Perhaps this can be attributed to the Marines' use of crew-served weapons; the crews of which would be armed with the carbine. The weapon is no doubt less cumbersome than the iconic M1 Rifle, but many found the carbine lacking when it was used against a determined enemy. My father was a rifle platoon leader in the Army during four Pacific campaigns. Standard TOE determined his weapon to be a carbine, but it failed to stop a charging Japanese officer on Leyte. Dad recalled seeing the man's shirt jumping from the bullets' impact. ASAP, he found a Thompson submachine gun, which by the way is far heavier than the carbine--and the M1 rifle as well.

I digress. This book is nicely printed on quality stock, with excellent reproductions of the photos. Hence the high price, which determined my four (rather than five) star rating. Perhaps a soft cover edition may be printed someday to reduce the cost.

I would welcome more books in the series, such as one on the Thompson, the .45 pistol, or any of the many arms used to win WWII.