AK-47: The Weapon that Changed the Face of War 1st Edition

by Larry Kahaner (Author)

56 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0471726418

ISBN-10: 0471726419

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No single weapon has spread so much raw power to so many people in so little time—and had such a devastating effect—as the AK-47 assault rifle. This book examines the legacy of this world-changing weapon, from its creation as means of fighting the Nazis to its ubiquity today in every kind of conflict, from civil wars in Africa to gang wars in L.A.

AK-47: The Weapon that Changed the Face of War

$9.50 + $3.99 shipping Only 1 left in stock - order soon. Ships from and sold by Magnum Opus Books.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

* Journalist Kahaner (The Quotations of Chairman Greenspan: Words from the Man Who Can Shake the World) presents a detailed study of the AK-47, the single most deadly weapon ever produced, and its designer. Mikhail Kalashnikov, a mechanically inclined Russian soldier, came up with this simple submachine gun to counter superior German weaponry during World War II. Brought into mass production in 1947 (this date formed the final part of the weapon's name, Avtomat Kalashnikov 1947), the AK-47 was shipped by the Soviet Union to Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and the Middle East during the Cold War. In part because they are so easy to make, 80 to 100 million AKs have been manufactured and distributed during the last 59 years. Moreover, the AK has proven a superior weapon to the American M-16. Kahaner provides an interesting discussion of how internal politics in the U.S. Army led it to adopt, instead, an inferior, lightweight machine gun. Kalashnikov, who lives in Russia today, never became rich from his design, but he did receive recognition outside his homeland for the impact of his weapon. A fascinating examination; recommended for all libraries.
—Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Lib., Parkersburg (Library Journal, October 15, 2006)

Review

"Anyone who has fought or watched a war over the last half-century recognizes the AK-47, but few know much about it. Kahaner traces the rifle's role in wars from Vietnam to Iraq and from Central America to Central Africa. A fascinating biography of a weapon that has truly changed world history."
—Stephen Kinzer, author of Overthrow

"During the past half century, the AK-47 assault rifle has established itself as the most ubiquitous implement of destruction on the planet. No other gun comes close for its durability, low price, ease of operation, and sheer killing power. It has become a mainstay of armies and terrorists alike, and a universal icon of revolutionary upheaval. Larry Kahaner's book is the best history of this weapon that I have seen. AK-47: The Weapon That Changed the World will appeal to anyone who has ever watched the History Channel—or the evening news."
—Max Boot, senior fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, and author of The Savage Wars of Peace

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Product details

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0471726419
ISBN-13: 978-0471726418
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 56 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,224,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3177 in Books > History > Military > Weapons & Warfare > Conventional
- #4193 in Books > Science & Math > Technology > History of Technology
- #6060 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Military

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Top customer reviews

good read

ByMikeVon March 11, 2017

Format: Hardcover

I'm very impressed with this book. It is very readable and covers the technical aspects of the development of the AK-47 quite well, including its juxtaposition to or rivalry with the M-16. I do not agree with the negative reviews regarding inaccuracies in the technical aspects of the book. For example, Kahaner's presentation of the reasons why the M-16 action initially suffered due to the wrong gun power being used is spot on. I would like to see examples of the book being inaccurate from the critical reviewers here, who offered nothing specific. This is a broad picture overview of the impact of the AK-47 on geopolitics. Thoroughly worth reading.

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ak47-An Historical Review (kind of)

ByRyan Fredrick Coxon November 5, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

As an owner of several variants of the AK rifle, I bought this book in anticipation of learning something new about the weapon. Immediately, as mentioned by a previous reviewer, I felt like I was completely tricked. While the book did provide some decent historical information, the overall theme was disdain and contempt for the rifle, and the firearm's industry in general. It became glaringly obvious that I was reading an opinionated article from a Liberal, anti-gun journalist. The section that covered the gun bans enacted by the Clinton administraion and the crimes in which AK's were used was especially horrible. My absolute favorite was how he described Diane Feinstein standing on stage holding an AK with a "banana shaped magazine", speaking of all of the crimes in which someone used an AK. You mean the one where she had the 75 round drum magazine, with the bolt closed, safety off, and waving it around at the others in attendance; who were oblivious because they are all ignorant as well. Followed closely by his obvious opinion on certain features of the gun that were banned during this period such as the pistol grip that allowed "from-the-hip-spraying". Really?

The recurring theme throughout the book is that of how cheap, reliable, easy to learn and available the AK is. The author simply reiterates this throughout, intermixed with historical instances where the AK is used by governments legitimate and not, bands of roving thugs, etc. to reign terror.

If you are an anti-gun person looking for some new material, this book is for you. If you would like a non-biased historical review without biased snippets, look elsewhere.

11 comment 14 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A Weak Effort

ByHunt N. Peckon April 21, 2011

Format: Paperback

My words will add little to what has been expressed above, but nevertheless, having suffered through 220 pages of this story, I feel compelled to say a few things about the book and its author. In general, this is a very poor effort by Mr. Kahaner. As described more completely in other posts, the book is replete with many errors relating to firearms, their functioning, ammunition, and general use. I can forgive a non-gun guy like Mr. Kahaner a few mistakes, but his errors are too numerous and significant to ignore. His imprecision with the facts in so many instances calls into question all of his statements and assertions, not just those related to firearms. It also calls into question his literary honesty and his dedication to accuracy. He says in the preface that Charlie Cutshaw, a knowledgeable gun writer and author, proofed his book for technical accuracy. My only explanation is that ol' Charlie must have been appalled at what he was reading and decided to let the book stand as a testament to Mr. Kahaner's literary imprecision.

Moreover, the book is supposed to be about the political impact of the AK-47 - not a manual on its operating features. If Mr. Kahaner was uncomfortable with his grasp of the technical aspects of firearms operations, why didn't he just avoid the technical and focus on the supposed real subject of the book? Further, if his intellect is incapable of grasping the basic mechanical principles and concepts underlying firearms operations (after all, it ain't rocket science), why am I supposed to believe that his intellect is any more capable of understanding and accurately conveying the complex social, political and geographical influences that have come together in various parts of the world to produce armed conflict in which the AK-47 was used?

Mr. Kahaner seems to suffer from the same naïve mis-perception that all people on the left do - that guns are inherently evil and that possession of the gun itself will reduce its operator to a state of depravity and cruelty. He blames the violence and upheaval in various parts of the world on the AK-47 alone, without ascribing any blame to those entities (i.e., individuals, organized groups, terrorists, and nations) that choose violence as a means of attaining their political goals. In truth, the AK-47, or whatever the weapon of choice or circumstance may be, is merely a means to an end. It is not, contrary to Mr. Kahaner's view, the root cause of evil. He also ascribes to the AK-47 some mythical power -- for example, in his estimation, it was the reason why the United States policy in Viet Nam failed (or as he puts, why the U.S. lost the Viet Nam war). Now that's a very severe oversimplification of a very complex subject, but typical of the kind of superficial gloss that comprises the bulk of this book. I would expect a statement like that from a grade school student, but not someone posing as a serious author. Indeed, his description of the major and minor conflicts around the world in which the armed camps were equipped with AK-47s reads like he performed the majority of his research by reading CNN headlines. It all has a very rushed, depthless and unorganized feel about it.

In total, it's a poor read and a bad reflection on Mr. Kahaner's skills as an author. Don't waste your time or money on this book.

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Not Sure What To Say

ByLodge2on March 8, 2012

Format: Paperback

While the author can tell a good story, it reads as though he obtained all his information from anti-gun press releases. Leaves you with the impression that Western militaries run away at the sight of the mighty AK-47. It is so powerful that it caused violent tribal cultures to evolve into violent tribal cultures, turning their children into soldiers and creating a new culture based on the AK.

Some interesting information on the arms trade. Was suprised to learn how AK's became widespread in South and Central America. I was under the impression Joe's Gunshop in Phoenix was responsible for that. Did not realize there was a thriving international market selling massive quantites of arms and ammunition to tin-pot dictators and drug cartels.

Yes, the Soviet's flooding the world with inexpensive and reliable firearms during the Cold War to support the "revolution" has left a legacy of violence that will last for generations. But it's still about the people and culture, not the tool. Just look at the difference in crime rates between El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. Essentially one city with a creek down the middle, but from a violence standpoint, they are like parallel dimensions and I'd be willing to bet there are significantly more firearms in El Paso (the safer city).