Tag Archives: book review

A Brief Review of “American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15” (Light Over Heat #69)

As I race to finish the manuscript for my book, Gun Curious, I spent 7 precious days revising the chapter on “Living with AR-15s.” In truth, I spent 4 days reading and thinking about a new book on The True Story of the AR-15 and 3 days revising my own take. I had finished aContinue reading “A Brief Review of “American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15” (Light Over Heat #69)”

Review of “Merchants of the Right: Gun Sellers and the Crisis of American Democracy” by Jennifer Carlson

I was asked to review Jennifer Carlson’s new book, Merchants of the Right: Gun Sellers and the Crisis of American Democracy (Princeton University Press, 2023) for the International Sociological Association’s journal, International Sociology Reviews. I am posting the review here and now because the journal is published biennially so my review will not appear untilContinue reading “Review of “Merchants of the Right: Gun Sellers and the Crisis of American Democracy” by Jennifer Carlson”

Review of The Gun Dilemma: How History is Against Expanded Gun Rights by Robert Spitzer

As I have noted previously, I write periodic reviews for CHOICE, a publishing unit of the Association of College and Research Libraries that provides reviews of scholarly books for people working in higher education, especially librarians. I was recently asked to review, The Gun Dilemma: How History is Against Expanded Gun Rights (Oxford University Press,Continue reading “Review of The Gun Dilemma: How History is Against Expanded Gun Rights by Robert Spitzer”

Light Over Heat #33: The Professor Reviews 4 Books on the NRA

In this week’s Light Over Heat video, I discuss four books on the National Rifle Association (NRA) in light of two persistent myths. First, that the NRA was a benign, apolitical sportsmans organization prior to the Revolt at Cincinnati in 1977. Second, that the NRA is “the most powerful lobby in America.” A PBS FrontlineContinue reading “Light Over Heat #33: The Professor Reviews 4 Books on the NRA”

Review of Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA by Tim Mak

Before I had a chance to read it myself, I had been hearing good things from reform minded NRA members about Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA by NPR investigative reporter Tim Mak. I’ve now had a chance to read the book in full. Despite some small quibbles I have with Mak’s language, analysis,Continue reading “Review of Misfire: Inside the Downfall of the NRA by Tim Mak”