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The Guns of John Moses Browning: The Remarkable Story of the Inventor Whose Firearms Changed the World Hardcover – May 25, 2021

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 658 ratings

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The first major biography of "the Thomas Edison of guns," John Moses Browning, a visionary inventor who designed the modern handgun and whose astonishing array of firearms armed American troops since before World War I, proved decisive in World War II,  and became integral to American culture. 

Few people are aware that John Moses Browning--a tall, modest man born in 1855 and raised as a Mormon in the American West-- invented the mechanism used in virtually all modern pistols, created the most popular hunting rifles and shotguns, and conceived the machine guns introduced in World War I and which dominated air and land battles in World War II. Yet few in America knew his name until he was into his sixties.

Now, author Nathan Gorenstein brings firearms inventor John Moses Browning to vivid life in this riveting and revealing biography. Embodying the tradition of self-made, self-educated geniuses (like Lincoln and Edison), Browning was able to think in three dimensions (he never used blueprints) and his gifted mind produced everything from the famous Winchester "30-30" hunting rifle to the awesomely effective machine guns used by every American aircraft and infantry unit in World War II. The British credited Browning's guns with helping to win the Battle of Britain.

His inventions illustrate both the good and bad of weapons.

Sweeping, lively, and brilliantly told, this fascinating book introduces a little-known American legend whose impact on history ranks with that of the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford.

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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A well-researched and very readable new biography.” —Wall Street Journal

“A text gun collectors and historians of armaments will cherish.” —Kirkus Reviews

“An in-depth look at Browning’s development process…Gorenstein’s work strikes a balance between accessibility and lavish detail.” —American Rifleman

“A meticulously detailed biography of the self-taught firearms inventor known as “the Thomas Edison of guns.”…. Gorenstein ably captures his subject’s work ethic and impressive natural gifts. This comprehensive account makes clear that Browning is a more crucial figure in world history than is widely known.” —Publishers Weekly

“Revelatory…In his beautifully crafted, fast-paced narrative, Gorenstein not only gives us the singular life of Browning; he brilliantly illuminates, so we mortals can understand, how great inventors think and work.” —Jim Rasenberger, author of Revolver: Sam Colt and the Six-Shooter That Changed America

“Marvelous…Once just an obscure name, Browning, the Mormon whose weapons won wars, emerges as one of America’s greatest inventors.” —Alexander Rose, New York Times bestselling author of Washington’s Spies and American Rifle

"Vivid, meticulous, fascinating….Don't flinch as Gorenstein explains what happens when a Browning weapon hits a target. A remarkable and detailed story!" —Bing West, New York Times bestselling author of No True Glory, Call Sign Chaos, and The Last Platoon

"The furious complexity of the human species means that the word 'genius' can apply equally to the likes of Shakespeare, Einstein, Mozart — and John Moses Browning, whose revolutionary firearms designs resulted in world-changing weaponry…. Gorenstein explores, in intricate and granular detail, the nature and implications of his achievement." —Julia Keller, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Mr. Gatling's Terrible Marvel: The Gun That Changed Everything and the Misunderstood Genius Who Invented It

“Excellent….Gorenstein shows us the real man behind [the] famous name, as well as the family around him. Following Browning from his birth in rural Utah to his death in urban Belgium, we see how a changing world shaped his inventions, and how, in turn, his inventions shaped the changing world.” Ian McCollum, Editor, ForgottenWeapons.com

"Historians and firearms aficionados will revel in Nathan Gorenstein's meticulous portrait of the arms maker's life, which was devoted to revising, reworking, and tweaking to perfection blueprints he ‘saw’ in his head for a stunning array of weapons, including pistols, shotguns, and automatic rifles.” —Larry Kahaner, author of AK-47: The Weapon that Changed the Face of War

"Very engaging…If you already know the difference between a ‘locked breech’ and ‘blowback’ pistol, here's a chance to understand the life of history’s premier gun designer. If you haven’t encountered those phrases before, here's a chance to see how a guy growing up poor in a remote Western village became one of the greatest mechanical engineers of his time, transforming the world." —Clayton E. Cramer, author of Lock, Stock, and Barrel: The Origins of American Gun Culture

“The perfect combination of technological and social history—a feat rarely attempted and even more rarely achieved with such thorough attention to detail.” —Ashley Hlebinsky, former co-host of Discovery Channel’s Master of Arms and Founding President, Association of Firearms History and Museums

“The surprising story of a genius inventor who changed the course of American history. It will captivate readers interested in firearms and the process of innovation. I highly recommend it.” —Paul M. Barrett, author of GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun

About the Author

Nathan Gorenstein is a former reporter and editor for The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he covered city and state politics and produced a wealth of groundbreaking work. He was previously a reporter for the Wilmington News Journal, where he led coverage of Sen. Joseph Biden’s first presidential campaign. He is also the author of Tommy Gun Winter, the story of a Boston gang from the 1930s that included an MIT graduate, a minister’s daughter, and two of Gorenstein’s own relatives. He currently lives in Philadelphia.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; First Edition (May 25, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982129212
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982129217
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.3 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 658 ratings

About the author

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Nathan Gorenstein
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Nathan Gorenstein grew up in Medford, Massachusetts, graduated from Medford High and UMass, Amherst. After working at the newspaper in nearby Northampton, he left for Delaware, where he worked for the local News-Journal, and later Philadelphia, where he was a reporter and editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer. "The Guns of John Moses Browning" is his second book.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
658 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book well-written, clear, and concise. They also describe the history as fascinating, interesting, and excellent. Readers appreciate the quality of the information, saying it's well-researched and informative.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

39 customers mention "Readability"39 positive0 negative

Customers find the book amazing, well-written, and clear. They say it's an easy read and great for a gunsmith or gun historian. Readers also appreciate the author's grace with words, sense of drama, and strong narrative pacing. Additionally, they mention the book is well-structured and crafted tribute to a hero of all gunsmiths.

"...Well written and enjoyable. Thanks Nathan. I hope you enjoyed our town." Read more

"...of the book has a few typos and a few hick-ups but, otherwise read well and has some very interesting vignettes the average historian may not be..." Read more

"...Gorenstein's grace with words, sense of drama, and strong narrative pacing make The Guns of John Moses Browning an engrossing read...." Read more

"Im not a big reading type person, this was an easy read, author delivers the story with a grace and detail that sucks you in and takes you on a..." Read more

29 customers mention "History"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, excellent, and interesting. They say it has some very interesting vignettes. Readers also mention that the book balances the history of the man, the family, and the company.

"...Well written and enjoyable. Thanks Nathan. I hope you enjoyed our town." Read more

"Fascinating historical read about a genius gun designer not known outside the small circle of gun aficionados and historians..." Read more

"Many stories I had never heard before. Very entertaining." Read more

"...typos and a few hick-ups but, otherwise read well and has some very interesting vignettes the average historian may not be aware...." Read more

21 customers mention "Information quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-researched, informative, and easy to read. They appreciate the depth of detail and the tale of genius.

"...Browning’s designs were prolific, and breathtakingly reliable and simple...." Read more

"...a table of contents, reference section, glossary, and an excellent index which assists in the following of the story...." Read more

"...Outlines some things one might not think of. Amazing how smart this man was not to mention his brothers and how they made the Browning legacy what..." Read more

"...At times I just could not put the book down. I was intrigued by the depth of detail of the business dealings addressed in the book!" Read more

5 hours.
5 out of 5 stars
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This book was delivered at 2 in the afternoon on 11/4/2021. I am halfway done with this tome and it is only 7:00 PM. Can't seem to put it down.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
Grandpa told me that our family married in to the Browning family in Ogden. My great grandfather's uncle was first cousins with John Moses so this book has extra appeal to me. My son is the one who recommended it and he was spot on. My first pistol was a 1911A1 and I love it. One of my regrets from 24 years on the Army is that I never got to fire the M2 .50 Cal also designed by John Moses. Well written and enjoyable. Thanks Nathan. I hope you enjoyed our town.
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2022
Fascinating historical read about a genius gun designer not known outside the small circle of gun aficionados and historians

Browning designed and licensed civilian and military gun designs that have lasted over 100 years. His designs changed the outcome of wars including the Spanish-American War, WWI and II, and Korean War. Some designs are still in production today.

Browning’s genius was thinking in three dimensions, and envisioning interworking of parts in harsh environments of extreme heat, dirt and high pressure. He had no formal education. And of course, Browning had no CAD/CAM computers or computer-controlled machine shop. Diagrams were in his head, and then carefully translated into precision-machined gun parts.

The book tells the story of the life of John Moses Browning, his family including younger brother Matthew important to his success, Mormon marriage, relationships with European royalty and armament manufacturers, and shrewd deal-making. Eventually, he earned a global reputation as the #1 gun designer in the world—lever action rifles, repeating rifles, semiautomatic pistols, pump and semiautomatic and over-under shotguns, and fully automatic heavy-duty and medium-duty machine guns. Browning’s designs were prolific, and breathtakingly reliable and simple. He worked tirelessly every day of his life, and no surprise family life suffered though he had 10 children.

The story explains Browning’s critical importance to the high-tech industry of his era—namely the five high-tech gun manufacturers of Colt, Winchester, Remington, Savage, and Fabrique Nationale de Herstal of Belgium (FN).

Before there was Bill Gates’ showing how to license an operating system to hundreds of PC manufactures, Browning instinctively understood the business side. Early on, Browning licensed his designs rather than manufacture his designs himself. He experimented with single fee license, per-firearm license with guaranteed minimums (royalties), license exclusivity, and lower license fees during time of war in the interest of national security. His brother specialized in manufacturing prototypes to secure a patent and eventual license to a manufacturer. Browning understood the power of collaboration over going it alone.

He died a wealthy man, though I suspect he could have been even wealthier with financial advice we now take for granted.

My lone disappointment with Guns of John Moses Browning was the omission of the business side of Browning. How Browning was paid and how much is barely covered, and what happened to his accumulated wealth is sketchy in detail.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2024
Tells the story of someone who has influenced millions of lives that very few people know of.
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024
Many stories I had never heard before. Very entertaining.
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2022
I found the book in a “Military History Magazine Book Review” a few months ago and thought I should know about John Moses Browning due to the BAR automatic rifle. Little did I realize he was the inventor of my 1911, (45 pistol) and basically a plethora of weapons, civilian and military over the last 140 years of human existence. However, I also became aware of why my eighty-five year-old mother-in-law from Alabama viewed Mormon’s as Muslims while reading this book.

The book is very well composed with excellent print size on quality paper. It has thirteen chapters, a table of contents, reference section, glossary, and an excellent index which assists in the following of the story. The edification of the book has a few typos and a few hick-ups but, otherwise read well and has some very interesting vignettes the average historian may not be aware. The work poses stories to excite and keep a reader's interests which hypnotically allows for continuous reading. Especially, the story of the archeological site of Alvin York’s encounter in WW I.

This is also a must read for the WW II enthusiast. Gorenstein’s last half of the book is filled with stories of WW II combat that while Browning designs were used in the events. He invented the 30 and 50 caliber machine guns which probably turned the course of the war. Where the latter is still the main offensive weapon of today’s western militaries.

The last few chapters are not fill as ascribed by some, but represent the impact that Browning’s super-weapons inventions had on allies winning the war! As far as chapter 12 is concerned , I flew with the 8th Air Force and very much appreciate the sacrifice the American Airmen made for their country as all Americans should be. Without the 50 Caliber machine gun air-superiority over Europe would have not been possible to allow D-Day!

Although I feel the author could have incorporated more figures and drawings in the text to explained the structure of the various devices presented, the several figures and photos in the text are helpful. I highly recommend this book as a gift to any firearm enthusiastic who may not be aware of the background behind their weapons. They need to understand how these fantastic creations came about.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
Bought this for husband. he really enjoyed it.

Top reviews from other countries

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Francois
5.0 out of 5 stars Très content
Reviewed in Canada on January 17, 2022
Tout a bien été, livraison ultra rapide !
Matthew Haddon
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2023
Really liked the book and thought it was well-written for an American book (I only had to look up one word!). Very interesting to read about one of the most important firearms designers and also the article about Audie Murphy at the end. Well worth a read.
Klemens Künneke
3.0 out of 5 stars Browning
Reviewed in Germany on April 17, 2023
Leider nur in englisch zu haben
Dick Pearson
4.0 out of 5 stars A very good read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2022
A very good, interesting book, well written and detailed. Concentrates on the man rather than the technicalities of his guns which was, to me at least, a bit of a disappointment.

One thing grated when I read the book, however, the description of the poor reliability performance of the Vickers gun against the Browning in the competition held by the US army. This didn't gel with the normal descriptions of the Vickers such as "August 1916, during which the British 100th Company of the Machine Gun Corps fired their ten Vickers guns to deliver sustained fire for twelve hours. Using 100 barrels, they fired a million rounds without breakdowns. 'It was this absolute foolproof reliability which endeared the Vickers to every British soldier who ever fired one. It never broke down; it just kept on firing and came back for more.'" Turns out that not mentioned in this book the Vickers used for the comparison were Colt made 30-06 variants, which had problems which were never successfully resolved until to the 1920s".