Guns of the American West Hardcover – September 1, 2009

Over the decades, I've read a lot of books on firearms...and a few of those are really outstanding...but it's only rarely that I am as positively impressed...excited, actually... as I have been by this glorious book. The book is primarily a collection of photographs, and those photographs are gorgeous. If you're interested in a book on this subject, you already probably see a lot of beauty in these old guns; but, Dennis Adler seems to have a special talent for magnifying and enhancing that beauty. Sharply-focused, well-illuminated, often highly-detailed pictures of wonderful old guns, many photographed against sumptuous backgrounds which not only avoid detracting and distracting from the guns pictured, but actually add historical meaning and context to them...this author has a talent for photography of guns (and cars too, or so I've been told) that I've not often seen before. And, the price: I'm accustomed to paying very high prices for good gun books, something I accept because I assume that the market for such books is too small for the publishers to recover their costs through high volume. Well, this book is for that same market, and it only costs $18 from Amazon (and, I think, $30 list), and it's as good as some of the best firearms books ever published. I've just received Vanderlinden's truly excellent book on FN pistols: invaluable text and great photos, but it cost $65 and it's all black & white (and Adler's "Guns of the American West" is in color, completely in color...you should see the case colors on some of the SAAs.). I've just received Brunner's "The Colt Pocket Hammerless Automatic Pistols II": great photos, but this one costs $80(!), and wastes 78 of its 240 pages on a mindless, mind-numbing list of guns issued to generals. Adler's book has ~330 pages, and not a single one is wasted.Speaking of text: Adler's text in "Guns of the American West" is very good, and does a good job of discussing the guns, the historical backdrop, and the place of those guns in that history. This book does not have nearly the kind of detail and depth of a classic like "A study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver" of Graham, Kopec and Moore, and it can't: Adler's photographs shove out the text, and that is as it should be. This is primarily a pictorial history.And the price...perhaps I shouldn't keep returning to this, because the book is excellent, at any price. But in a field in which we've gotten accustomed to regularly paying $60 to $90 for good books (and hundreds of dollars, when those books, however mediocre, go out of print), I sincerely appreciate a publisher and an author who provide us with a great book at a fair price. In every way, Dennis Adler and Chartwell Books have provided a great service to those of us who can find fascination in a worn Smith topbreak, and they've treated us as though they respect us.

I ordered this book expecting the ultimte story on the fascinating subject of Old West firearms. Indeed, the photographs of the guns discussed are absolutely stunning. No reader will be disappointed there. But just a quick scan at some of the photo captions revealed some frustrating annoyances: 1) in many multi-gun pictures, the exact location of each gun within the photo is not clearly called out in its caption; this is confusing, especially to those readers unfamiliar with the guns shown. It would have been much easier to find each pictured gun if the author had numbered each one, then included these numbers in his captions so the reader would know exactly where in the layout a particular gun is located. 2) Most of the gun photos include interesing period accouterments such as holsters, badges, documents, photos, etc. Sometimes the accompanying caption identifies these intriguing items, but at other times the caption ignores them. This, too, is frustrating, since in most cases these historic paraphernalia are as interesting as the pictured guns themselves. 3) A few captions contain factual errors. One, for example, states that a small medal shown with one pistol is the Medal of Honor, which it is not. In another, it is stated that Lt Col George A. Custer lost his entire regiment (the 7th Cavalry) at the Little Big Horn battle. In fact, only the five companies under Custer's immediate command were wiped out. Hundreds of troopers from the other companies survived the fight. Bottom line: from this first quick look at the book's photos and captions, I must reluctantly conclude that there are probably many more mistakes and frustrations in the captions that I didn't have time to find. As far as the main text of the book, I offer no opinion, since this initial scan encompassed only a brief look at the photos and their captions. All things considered, I would certainly recommend this book to anyone interested in viewing a treasure trove of beautiful photos of some of the most famous guns in American history. If only more time had been spent on making the captions as enjoyable as the pictures....

I bought it used on Amazon and got an almost new book. It exceeded my expectations. The pictures are gorgeous. Anyone interested in the old west will droll over it. It’s a coffee table book to be put on display. I love it. I have it on my coffee table with a great book of Colorado ranches. If interested in 1800 fire arms, get it.

This book absolutely belongs on your shelf if you are a student of Western history and historical firearms. Full color, in depth and worth every penny.

This is a really detailed look at the guns that shaped America’s West. The pictures are fantastic as well. Recommend for anyone interested in firearms up through the early 20th century.

If you, like I was a few days ago, are still sitting on the fence about buying this book, because of the negative comments about it, still your fears and ante up your money. I don't think you'll regret it. This is an absolutely beautiful book, with stunning photographs of both original arms and accoutrements, and modern reproductions, which the author clearly states in his second page of acknowledgements. I'm not an expert on this subject, just an average person with an interest in the period, and I haven't been able to put the book down since it was delivered, days ago, devouring both text and photographs. My only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner. If you're reading this, and still sitting on that fence, it's a regret you'll share with me, I'm certain.

Fantastic book with lots of details and pictures of guns that helped to tame America . Unlike some other books it doesn't just look at Colt's revolvers , but Smith and Wesson , Remington , Merwyn and Hulbert and many other revolver types . Not a definitive book , but well worth adding to your collection .

Good product arrived on time

Highly recommend this book. Great photos and well written.

I bought this book as I like to read about the old guns they used in the old days

Mums hubby loved the book.lots of pics