Product Details

• Actors: Garry James, R.L. Wilson, Whit Collins, Sarah Rittgers, Ian Hogg (II)
• Directors: Yann Debonne, Rob Lihani
• Format: Box set, Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 4
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• VHS Release Date: November 11, 1998
• Run Time: 200 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304263155
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,545 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #10 in	Video > Television > A&E Home Video > Science & Technology
  #11 in	Video > Television > History Channel > World History

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Several hundred years ago, an unknown inventor combined charcoal, sulfur and saltpeter and lit it afire. When the dust settled the world was changed forever. From the creation of gunpowder to today's high-tech assault rifles, the gun has changed human life like few other inventions. In this fascinating account, THE STORY OF THE GUN travels through the centuries to examine the remarkable innovations that made modern firearms possible. Meet the gunsmiths and entrepreneurs whose names became legend, including Gatling, Colt, Remington, Winchester, Thompson, Browning, Maxim and Kalashnikov. Go west with frontiersman, ride with lawmen and outlaws and march with soldiers into battle. You'll even get a privileged look at where advanced weapons technology is headed today. THE STORY OF THE GUN is a comprehensive look at one of mankind's most pivotal inventions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Rate!, October 26, 1999

By A Customer

I saw this on A&E and was totally captivated by it. It is an excellant production, doesn't matter where you stand on the issue of guns the history is fascinating. It won't bore you for a minute. I rank it up there with Ken Burn's Civil War.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an enlightening look at the history of guns, February 24, 2007

By	Mr John Haueisen (WORTHINGTON, OHIO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Most people have very strong feelings one way or the other about guns.

This is a 4-VHS tape series on the history of weapons, specifically guns.
It takes viewers all the way back in time to man's desire to extend the reach of his arm.

Something very typical of this history of guns is the comment by Oliver Winchester, that a gun is essentially little more than "a machine for throwing balls." Most of us have never thought of it that way, as the media have attached quite a bit of "baggage" to every report about guns.

We have also never been given the opportunity to discover the freedom which guns have brought to the world. Huh?--how is that possible? Before the invention of guns, feudal lords could tyrannize the masses by employing a relative handful of knights, highly skilled bowmen, and castle strongholds. Upon the invention of firearms, even the common folk could use a firearm against a feudal lord's hired thugs, and cannons could bring down the castle walls that previously had allowed feudalism to flourish.

What we have here is a straightforward, historical story of the evolution of guns from simple beginnings hundreds of years ago, to the remarkable machines of today which feature incredible accuracy and durability.

There is good, crisp photography of some beautiful collectible guns, and of famous people in the history of gun lore. Even for those who never have any intention of even holding a gun, this is a presentation of information they should know, and may be surprised to find they enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Piece of Work !, January 19, 2002

By	Andre Dias (Basel - Switzerland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very good work is shown here on this video collection, in Brazil is very hard to get a quality information about guns, and this videos sure did a great job !
It cover all story of gunmaking from the very begining to now days !
Worth Having !
Grab some popcorn and some soda and get in to hystory !