Guns Books

Wonderful book...says what many think but are afraid to say. It contains something to offend just about everyone!

2 June 2008 - I first heard of Boortz because of the Fair Tax. He does not neatly fall into either major political party. I thought I was a conservative to the core but he made me realize the virtues of individual liberty. I would like to think of myself as a libertarian my views on evolution, abortion and gay rights do not line up with Boortz. I agree that flag burning is a granted by the constitution and I believe it show how strong America is that we allow our flag to be burned in our street...it is the complete opposite of tyranny. It shows me my views of gay rights are from my religious beliefs and do not align with individual liberty. I do think abortion is simply murder and therefore is not an individual liberty and while I do not think the earth is only a few thousand years old I do think the church of Darwinism is preaching in our schools and it must be separated from the state...but then the state needs to get out of our schools as well.

Anyone who has the privilage of listening to Neal on the radio will know what I'm talking about. This book is exactly what America needs. Neal's tough love for our country is necessary to keep the American Machine on top. If you'd like to see America slide to Mediocre status, or if you have a case of Obamacitis, you may not be interested (and please move to Europe, or China). I shared this with friends who could have cared less about politics and it is opening their eyes. You may want to buy THE FAIRTAX BOOK as well, while you're on a roll!

Go on, take the red pill, you made it this far!

"Remember, all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more." -Morpheus (The Matrix)

Great book. Not a lot of fluff. Says a lot of things that many people think but don't say because of the craze of political correctness in American society. Serious, smart, and funny all in one book. Highly recommended!

As always, Neal Boortz is here to entertain. This book is very fast reading with humorous accounts of today's sad and wonderfully idiotic world. It's a little long-winded on government schools; however well worth the read.

Let me start by saying I am a huge Slash/GnR fan. I loved Slash's stories behind all the GnR songs and his take on Axl being Axl and the last band tours. My beef is with the editing and fact checking. I am shocked by how much of it is wrong! Just small examples like Slash and Renee being married at the Four Seasons in Marina Del Rey (it's a Ritz) and getting Fred Coury's name wrong (it is mentioned at least 1/2 dozen times as Curry). There are several other wrong or inconsistent details, enough for it to distract me and wonder what else was incorrect in this book. Again, that being said, I did enjoy the book would recommend it. I just wish the publishers would take the time to put out a better quality book. Nikki Sixx's book was really so much better quality even though it is a totally different style.

Slash
Slash is very honest in his book. It was a real page turner. I bought this book for my hubby for christmas. He finished it in 3 days. Then I got it and finished it in a week. Love it!! I hope to read more from this author in the future!!

Finally got aroudn to ordering and reading this book, and I am certainly glad I did. Being a big GNR fan, I've always wanted to know what the band was really like and why they fell apart so quickly. Until Axl writes his own book, this book will be the best one about Guns N' Roses and their rise & fall. Slash decribes his upbringing, first learning to playing a guitar, and how GNR came to be in fluid detail. The making of AfD also is described with the source of every song.

Even if you are not a GnR fan, this book has alot to offer. I highly recommend!

Slash tells his story from his funny and adventurous childhood through his Guns N Roses days to his present work with Velvet Revolver. There have been many unofficial biographies of Slash and other GNR-related books, but finally we have something from the man himself.


Besides, Slash is a really smart guy, so this is not just another average rock book. It's a captivating story. His style is honest and easy to read, his comments and conclusions are backed up by nice rare pictures. The guy sure has great sense of humor, too!

It's one of the best books I've read this year. The top-hatted guitar hero has become a legend, played with many other rock legends and experienced the evolution of rock music from the 80s until present day. He's been there, done that and has a lot to tell about life and the music business. Here's our chance to hear it straight from the source.

This book is amazing, I've been a fan of the genre since I was about 8 and raided my grandfather's book collection, I read Eye of the Needle, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, The Key to Rebecca among others, and Hugh Laurie's narrative in this book has impressed me deeply, he uses language as an expert and for the first time in my life I loved descriptions and narrative in books which was something I normally don't have much interest in as opposed to dialogue, which is also wonderfully done in the Gun Seller. I really hope he has some spare time to finish the sequel.

Although I am one of the ones that discovered his works through House M.D., I say unfortunately because I'm deeply, deeply ashamed of that fact. Simply because my life would have been far better by seeing his other works earlier, Blackadder, Jeeves and Wooster, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, etc, not because I don't like the show, which I do.

So I feel that this book should be judged by its own merit, Hugh Laurie even said he wanted to publish it under a pseudonym so that his career wouldn't influence on how the book would be received and I have to say that he should not worry about it, the book is wonderful and excellent and everyone who likes this genre will love this book, he deserves all the merit he can get as a very accomplished writer.

I had to stop reading "The Gun Seller" around 1am, halfway through it, and believe me, the ONLY thing stopping me from reading to the end was an unfortunate dearth of eyelids propper-uppers, a la "A Clockwork Orange."

It is LITERALLY laugh-out-loud funny. Adam (spousal unit) couldn't concentrate on his computer war game, so often did I punctuate the living room's usual silence with raucous laughter and stifled snorts.

But it is ALSO one helluva spy tale. He wrote it in 1996 and I can't for the life of me figure out why he hasn't written more -- except for maybe that little sideline of his in the thespian arena. Apparently it was immediately optioned as a screenplay; that never went anywhere, but I bet you dollars to doughnuts (WHAT does that phrase MEAN???) he could not only get it made today, but nab the leading role to boot (and what does THAT phrase mean?).

It's confirmed. Hugh Laurie is both a brilliant actor and a brilliant writer. Fans of spy thrillers and Brit-humor alike will love "The Gun Seller." The book works as both a straight spy/political intrigue story and as a send-up of the genre. Laurie's anti-hero Tom Lang reminds me of the self-deprecating but ultimately "I'll do it if I must" protagonists of Dick Francis' novels. More than a little of George McDonald Fraser's Harry Flashman is detectable too, although Tom is not nearly as self-serving and has quite a few more scruples. The action is fast-paced, and it's easy to see Laurie's familiarity with film and TV - you can almost see the fades and scene changes. However fast-paced, I recommend that you read at least slowly enough to appreciate the witty and sharp prose that tells the story. Laurie's personal penchant for the writings of P. G. Wodehouse is clear in his clever word-play and amusing turns of phrase. I laughed out loud at least three times per chapter, and had to read the book twice to really catch all the little nuances I missed the first time in the excitement of the story-line. I highly recommend this book and only wish I could personally congratulate Hugh Laurie (albeit over ten years late) and beg him to write another.

He could write the phone book and I would buy it. The story is a spy story...the real value is his word play.
Buy it for that!

Snappy writing, plot twists that keep you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad, and a character that I think every guy wants to be.

And I'm not a guy.

I don't read spy novels in general, but I picked this one up because I'm a fan of Hugh Laurie. Read the first page in B&N. Then the second. Until I read the first chapter. It made it on my Christmas list because I giggled. Out loud. In the little Starbucks area of B&N.

I got the book and laughed more and found myself reading when I should be doing everything else.

Laurie spits out these deadpan one liners throughout. I think writers would appreciate his wit with things like "She turned towards me and narrowed her eyes...Narrowed them horizontally, not vertically." He loves to play with cliches.

And how can you not laugh at gems such as, "I lit a cigarette with Solomon's dashboard. I say the dashboard, because most of it came away with the cigarette lighter when I pulled, and it took a moment to put the whole thing back together."

Come on, now, you're laughing, right?

It's a shame Hugh Laurie's gotten so much into this acting thing because I wish he'd write more books.

Or make this book into a movie. It reads like a movie. The guy from Layer Cake would be my first choice in casting, but he's the new James Bond, so there goes that idea. Possible Jason Statham, but I think Clive Owen really would make this role.

If anyone's asking.

When it comes down to it, if you like spy novels, you'll like this book.

If you don't like spy novels, you'll like this book.

Great book at a great price. Very informative. A must for any collector or hobbiest.

For many years (35) I have relied on this book as a guide to firearms values. It is the most complete gun guide published.
Robert Caselnova, FFL, owner Cas Firearms

This is the standard for gun values. It is the one I see used by the dealers at all the gunshows. While it is not perfect, it is a the most information I have ever seen about gun values in one place. Some information may be in error, but given the sheer volume of entries, the errors are minor. I have been studying guns for over thirty-five years, and was amazed at how many guns and makers were listed that I had never heard of. Buy this one if you want to get fair value in your gun deals.

I guess they were in a time crunch. This book doesn't have all guns in their value. I have three gun not in the book how many more are missing? I say do your job!

Updated and informative reference on gun values. Extensive listings. With many changes in the firearms industry nothing can be completely current; however, this book is as close as you will get.

This book came highly recommended, and I read it diligently initially. But after a while, I found Corwin, the main character, cocky and one-dimensional, and the whole description of the landscape simplistic. I felt that the author was copping out by letting them change the landscape simply by "thinking" it. And I also found it annoying that the main character could "grow eyes" after his original had been gouged out. I think good science fiction or fantasy should have some "rules" as well, not just an anything goes kind of mentality. I just could not get drawn into it, or get excited by it at all. All I felt was relief when I got to the end. I also do not see why people like it so much. There are a lot of better written books out there.

Please note that I wrote the following review after reading this first novel in the Amber series. I grew to appreciate the series more as I went along. Many reviewers on here are writing from the perspective of having read and appreciated the entire series, but I am writing these reviews as I read each of these books for the first time.

I could only muster up two stars for this book. This is the first in Zelazny's Amber series. It's a very quick, easy read, and it kept me engrossed as Corwin, the protagonist, wakes up in the modern-day (OK, 1970s) world, and fights through his amnesia to an understanding of his royal/godly heritage and the power struggle in which he is inextricably entangled.

I am not sure how how to feel about Corwin. This guy is arrogant to the extreme. He does some pretty godawful things to innocent people (beings?) along the way, although he then expresses some hazy, lazy sense of regret. And to what end? His own self-interest. The gods fight on high, screw any collateral damage. Rah?

One funny thing -- the book was first published in 1970, and it's unintentionally hilarious when dated slang pops up, especially in the context of horsemen, swords and kingdoms.

I'm going to read the next book in the series to see if it gets any better. Not much to lose, since it's a fast read.

But thus far, as the main character might say, I just don't dig it.

Based on the review of N. Trachta (thanks, Nate), I decided to plunge ahead with this one (what made this choice even better was when I found all ten stories in one anthology at a used bookstore!).
A man wakes up in a hospital room, without memory of who he is or exactly how he got there. All he knows is that was badly injured and currently being drugged. After escaping the hospital, he discovers his sister, Flora, who tells him that his name is Corwin. He meets up with his brother, Random, who leads him to Amber, a mystical world, which unlocks his memory and reawakens his desire to rule over Amber.

What I Liked:
The first page really drew me in. We meet a man lying in a bed, realizing groggily that he is being drugged and has no idea who he is. I like how we learn about him at the same time he does (no long boring, unnecessary exposition here; it's all a part of Corwin's learning about himself and his history).
Corwin is resourceful, sneaky, cunning, and rather likeable (even though, at the same time, he is unlikeable, if that makes any sense). He has flaws (lying, scamming, not caring for his siblings), but there is just something about him that makes you want to root for him.
The story is excellent. It breaks the mold of science fiction and crosses boundaries. As I read, I felt that in some ways it was very fantasy; in others (particularly that it takes place in "current" times), it was very sci-fi. There is action, but there is also some character study. Overall, the effect is great and is convincing. And while the pace at the beginning was a little sluggish, it picked up quite a bit and became very engrossing (I didn't want to put it down!).
Lastly, Zelazny does an outstanding job describing. He spends much time detailing the surroundings, what people are wearing, character's looks, etc. He paints a vivid picture of his vision and doesn't leave me confused about where Corwin is at any time.

What I Did Not Like:
Zelazny may have gone a little far in some of the descriptions. The biggest time I felt this was when Corwin first finds the cards of his siblings. A solid three or more pages is spent on what each is wearing, their appearance, etc. By the time I got to the 7th child, I was practically skimming the descriptions (after a while, they all started sounding the same).
This next "problem" may be due to reading the book in snippets, but I felt that it took a long time for Corwin to realize who he was. Before he learns who he is, a good chunk of the book is spent with Corwin and Random traveling to Amber. Again, this could be because I read it spread out in chunks, but I thought I might mention it.
Lastly (this is more of an interesting thing to note than a problem), it seemed like none of the characters could breathe without a cigarette. Of course, this was written in the 60's - 70's so that might explain the perpetual cigarette.

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
Da**, he**, and other mild profanities appear (nothing worse than a PG movie, I would say).
Moire is described as being topless (although not in a sexual manner, more like a Xena Warrior Princess way). A couple sleep with each other (though "off-screen" and described poetically).
When Corwin escapes the hospital, he uses a bludgeon to knock out his guard. Then he pulls a gun on the director of the facility. When Flora's home is invaded, Random and Corwin get to use swords and guns. Another scene includes a battle between Random, Corwin, and Julian. A storm on Amber leaves all the soldiers dead. A character's eyes are put out.

Overall:
Are you looking for some fun? A way to relax from the stresses of life? Something outside of the box? A little bit of sci-fi, a little bit of fantasy? A good place to start could be Zelazny's Amber books, particularly this one. A fun idea coupled with a unique setting gives this book an edge to stand the test of time (I mean, this was written way back in the day, after all). A good book and worthy of a 5 star rating.

I tend to be relatively easy to please when it comes to books, and I heard a lot of good stuff about this one. But this book has been overhyped, plain and simple. Overall, I enjoyed it and I think it is a fine start for a series (I haven't read any of the other books yet), but it's just not 5-star material.
First of all, the writing is stiff, especially dialogue. At first I thought that maybe they were just being overly formal because they're royalty or something like that. No. And it's not snappy. It's just stiff dialogue.
But worse than stiff dialogue is a boring middle. Not the whole middle, mind you, but a good bit is devoted to describing the progress of an army marching toward Amber. And it's BORING.
Then the hero is saved in the end by something you don't hear about in the rest of the book. That sets it up great for the rest of the series, but it's still kind of cheap.
So if you read a lot and like fantasy, give it a try. It's a short read (and so are the rest of the books in the series). It has a cool premise and the series as a whole must be pretty good since most people really like. But if you're short on time and every page you read is precious, you might want to look elsewhere.

I was in a used bookstore the other day and got reminded of this book. I remembered how much I enjoyed reading it long ago and decided that it was time to re-read Nine Princes in Amber.
Nine Princes in Amber is Roger Zelazny's tale of Corwin and his attempt to return to Amber, the one true realm. Without memory of his past, Corwin analysis his situation, takes actions to expand his knowledge of his past and slowly learns that he's that he's a true prince of Amber. As such, Cowin's desires are ingrained in him and drive his actions, to achieve the throne of Amber.
The Good:
The pace of action! There's continual movement and turns. Everything is in first tense. We're riding around with Corwin and Mr. Zelazny describes things as Corwin would see/hear/think them. The interactions with others are sometimes a little abrupt, but I believe this is more a part of Corwin's personality than a writer's flaw. Because the story is being told from Corwin's perspective, there's nothing extra added to a description that a person wouldn't readily notice.
Character descriptions are real time and based on what Corwin would perceive of another. Corwin and relatives are real with real flaws. We learn about them from Corwin and their actions with Corwin. Each character is an individual and unique, making it easy for readers to love or hate the character based on their actions.
The Bad:
The only bad piece I have with this is that this is the first in a series and that the book is semi complete. While a reader could read the book on it's own, you'll be wanting more or dislike the book because the tales not compete.
The Rating:
Five stars! Zelazny opens the door on a world that comes that seems so real. Is our world a Shadow of Amber? At times you wonder as you read this if you let your imagination go. One item that I've wondered for some time is if Mr. Zelazny chose the name of Amber for the real realm because all of the characters are static from how Corwin knew them before he was banished. If you enjoy fantasy and the actions of a hero (or is Corwin an anti-hero, you decide) or enjoy a book with good character interactions, pick this one up!

I have not read this book by Mr. Ayoob in many years but its points remain with me. Mr. Ayoob is one of the very few 'gun writers' that doesn't glamorize (i.e., write to sell) firearms and the use of firearms in self defense. He has defended the use of deadly force utilizing firearms in the courtroom. He knows the law and the legal consequences of using deadly force. Being a cop he also knows something of the potential tragedy incurred with the use of a firearm in the application of deadly force. It should be mandatory that this book be owned and and periodically re-read by all who have contemplated the use of deadly force in self-defense with a firearm. This book is highly recommended.

Mas's work is spoken of as legendary in the self protection world, especially when it comes to legal issues. I learned a couple of new things about what to think about when carrying a firearm - necessary stuff, as I am awaiting a carry permit now. The defensive tactics and weapons choices are outdated, as this book is more than 20 years old. It is a quick, easy read, and probably worth at least a browse to anyone who is considering a carry weapon.

If you're thinking about going through the training required to carry concealed, this book is an absolute must read. Although somewhat dated with regard to equipment, Ayoob will put the fear of God in you in terms of the very heavy burden of responsibility you incur when carrying a concealed weapon. This is a responsibility that should NEVER be taken lightly, and this book should be a minimum requirement for those taking CCW training in their state.

Another complete thought provoking practical guideline from Massad Ayoob. I think he is the best at presenting the consequences of using a gun for self defense. With the new developments in ammunition and handguns since this publication was written, the last few chapters should be re-written and updated. If he can find the time.

I have read about 1/3 of the book to date. I am anxious to finish it. This should be required reading for anyone who carries or plans on carrying a hand gun. Even though Texas requires legal training in their requirements for a permit to carry it doesn't come close to the thought provoking contents of this book. Massad Ayoob knows his stuff.

In Gun, With Occasional Music, Jonathan Lethem gives us science fiction's worthy successor to Raymond Chandler. Though this is the easy take-home message from nearly every quoted newspaper columnist, book jacket blurb, and miscellaneous reviewer -- they also all happen to be right. Even a cursory familiarity with Chandler's pulp noir will ring through with startling clarity to readers of this novel. The cadence of the narrative, the hard-boiled dialogue, the archetypal characters... Lethem's Conrad Metcalf is a well-executed Philip Marlowe cover song with just a little bit of record scratching thrown into the background for texture.

On the other hand, those same columnist quotes, blurbs, and reviewers all seem to liken Lethem to Philip K. Dick. Personally: not seeing it. It's a bit of a stretch, some optimistic name-dropping to match up Lethem's mystery/noir heritage with some similarly classic science fiction antecedent. The ubiquitous drug use? Sure, okay -- that's a bit Dickian. A Möbius fold of reality unraveling around the narrator in some palpable and thoroughly eldritch fashion? Not so much. More than PKD, the scenes in this novel played out in my imagination as fearfully symmetrical to Cronenberg's take on Burroughs` Naked Lunch -- substitute Jim Henson-esque "evolved" animals for Mugwumps but otherwise that's it, right down to Peter Weller as Conrad Metcalf.

Or maybe this certain GoodReads.com reviewer has got it down: "It's Blade Runner meets Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"

Where was I? Oh right...

A part of me desires to do a chapter-by-chapter deconstruction of the text, to get all scholarly about it and run the blockade of Chandler's lineage here. I want to look for the hidden significance of the doctors as urologists, to get semiotic on names like "Catherine Teleprompter" and "Danny Phoneblum". But instead I'll just give a positive nod. It's a fun, noirish scifi romp with all the right moves and delivers slightly better than expectations.

This is a Brave New World influenced book that was very original in the fantasy department. I loved it, but then to know what that means, I also like Murakami's Wild Sheep Chase and Hard Boiled novels. Alegorical, symbolic and left open to the mind of the reader to follow or imagine the story. Drugs, detective, women, animals, and cops with a plot and Mickey Spilane type scenario on mescaline. Its a fast read.

Lethem's first book doesn't crackle and sparkle with the literary virtuosity of his later works ("Motherless Brooklyn" and "Fortress of Solitude"), but it is a fine example of the nimbleness of his creative spirit.

"Gun" follows private inquisitor, Conrad Metcalf, around a futuristic California, where animals and babies are forcibly evolved, societal compliance is enforced with measurable karma, and it is no longer acceptable to ask questions. Metcalf's latest client has been killed, and the case is being pasted to a patsy by the big dogs in the government pound. Metcalf makes things uncomfortable (for himself as well as everyone else) in his pursuit to uncover the truth.

It's not an easy task. Metcalf is dogged by a trigger-happy kangaroo, the loss of his masculine nerve endings (literally), and people who take legally-sanctioned drugs designed to induce amnesia. He skims off the dross with typical flat-footed panache, employing the standard P.I. lingo (and glum stubborness) made famous by Chandler and Bogey (although not with quite as much skill).

Although, at heart, this is a tribute to the world of literary noir, Lethem gives us a glimpse of his future import by sewing hefty totems into his weird (but fully realized) world. Orwell it ain't, but it sure comes close; Lethem has more to say about how we enslave ourselves, rather than how others do the enslaving for us.

By turns funny and fast-paced, clever and creepy, slick and sharp, "Gun" is a great diversion. It's certainly not an example of an artist at the top of his game, but it IS an example of an artist learning quite deftly how to break all of the rules. More than anything else, this is Lethem showing us just why he's a writer to begin with -- because he loves it. In the hands of someone as talented as he, it's hard for a reader not to share his enthusiasm.

What a blast! My first exposure to Lethem has me hooked.

I am sure this is the first time I ever thought there could be some connections between drugs, guns, karma, kangaroos, and a few others you have to read to believe (probably the last time, too, unless he has written a sequel).

This is a very funny mix of science fiction, fantasy, detective, dystopia, noir and a few more genres, I'm sure. Lethem told his story tightly, with an unbelievable group of Characters ("C" not "c").

Toward the end, I had to make myself slow down so it would last just a little longer. I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy off-beat, hard to label reads.

It seems that all I ever read these days is Jonathan Lethem and bizarro authors like Carlton Mellick III. The bizarro guys are pretty good and fun to read in a freaky surreal-ish kind of way, but they aren't master craftsmen of the written word. Lethem is. Gun, with Occasional Music is his first book, but probably the 7th I have read. After getting used to the style of his recent work I can really tell how strong his writing has become. He is an excellent author. Even with his first book, you can tell he is an excellent author. But he has definitely improved over time.

PROS: 1) If you like classic crime noir and weird science-fiction, you'll love this book. It is a mixture of those two. Basically, it is just your usual old time crime novel set in a future of mutants and intelligent anthropomorphic animals 2) The mystery unfolds quite nicely. Not only the mystery of the plot, but also the mystery surrounding this odd world Lethem has created. 3) Once you get into it you won't be able to put it down.

CONS: 1) While the writing is good, it is still pretty mediocre in comparison to any of his other works. 2) It was originally published by a sci-fi genre publisher, so it feels like run-of-the-mill genre fiction. So if you are a fan of the literary elements of Lethem's work more than the sci-fi elements you might be disappointed. 3) Though it was intentional, the characters are pretty cliche to that of classic detective stories. This might be a good thing or bad thing. Since I am not a fan of detective fiction, it was more of a con for me.

Overall, I give this book 4 stars. It is definitely worth reading. It's just not as good as most of Lethem's other work. I might have enjoyed it a bit better than As She Climbed Across The Table, but it wasn't as unique and smart as that book. Casual readers might like this one best, so start with here if you don't read a lot of literary fiction. Otherwise, start with Girl in Landscape or Motherless Brooklyn.

This is a fascinating novel. To be sure, if you have read other books by Pamuk, you will recognize the themes: the void that Attaturk's reforms could not fill (after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire); the continuing crisis of the Turkish identity that plays out in politics; and the extraordinary richness, humor and melancholy of the current culture. These are wonderfully sketched out in Pamuk's memoires, Istanbul, but also in the switching identities and interminable conflicts in his other novels. What makes this book interesting for hard fans like me is that it is his first, hence the source, of these later masterpieces of genius. It is serious, complex literature, that the reader can plumb for years in the imagination.

First, there is the plot and setting. A beloved wife has disappeared, and her seemingly hapless husband embarks on a search for her, grief stricken to the point that his sanity is shaken. This offers a wonderful portrait of the unknown, banal corners of Istanbul, just prior to the coup d'etat in the early 80s. Chaos is mounting, amidst the usual joyous cacophony of people and everyday struggle. It is warm, funny, and moving.

Second, there is the culture and identity. Turks are uncertain if they belong to the East or the West, which they mimic in Pamuk's eyes to an absurd extent. To fill this void, they turn to writers, such as the lawyer's mysterious cousin, a famous columnist. In my reading, his loyal readers are searching for themselves through his eloquence and culture, as he retells old tales as well as finds new ones, which he expresses through his own brand of mimicry (or transmogrification). The Lawyer studies him as the key to the secret of his wife's disappearance, eventually taking on much of his identity.

Third, there are the interactions, both with history and similar people in the present. It all mixes in a kind of Nabokovian dream, where there are real and imagined threats and relationships. The mind of the lawyer, seemingly so mundane, is revealed here with great depth, layers that peel away repeatedly.

My interpretation of the book is that it is about the internal narrative of our lives - the stories we tell ourselves about who we are - that is the basis of personal identity and even cultures. In ascendant, self-obsessed countries like the US, this narrative goes largely unexamined in our presumption that everyone should want to live like us. This novel offers a strikingly different vision of this narrative, one that is wounded by history and in search of words and concepts to re-make itself. I think this is a great human dilemma, from which Americans can learn to better see themselves as well as empathize with other peoples, particularly in the current crisis of the Moslem world.

The translation is very vivid, though of course I cannot read it in the original. There is also a fascinating translator's note, in which she discusses the complexities of Turkish. It makes me wish I had learned Turkish.

Warmly recommended for serious students of literature. This book requires effort, but it is worth every bit of it. I would compare the achievements of this writer with the best work of VS Naipal, full of pathos and empathy for characters unusual for an American or western audience and yet sparkling with humor in the darkest moments.

In a nutshell, "The Black Book" is a series of stories within stories within stories, all loosely based around a somewhat weak and unexpanded plotline. Orhan Pamuk has the storytelling aspect of writing down - each miniature story within story within story is well-written, vivid, and full of gorgeous, picturesque images.

There are just too many of them.

Half of the "article" stories were really cool. They told neat, interesting stories and gave the story a mysterious feel. The other half were so utterly dull that I found myself flipping pages without even reading, then forcing myself to flip back to find out what I'd "missed". Storytelling can add a lot to a book, but only to a certain degree. There were so many things in this book that just didn't interest me that I couldn't really appreciate it.

The main plot, the central story, is pretty much undeveloped. The most interesting parts (the only time I ever read intensely, curious to find out how things develop, and then ending up somewhat disappointed) was at the very end, the very final pages of this thick novel. And even then it is not so impressive.

Perhaps many of the things I didn't understand were cultural things. But it seemed to me that the ending left so many questions unanswered and that the main point (what IS the main point? Storytelling will save us all?) could have been summed up within 100 or so pages. A good edit, a snipping of the numerous subplots and unnecessary stories, would have made this read so much easier and better.

The novel is still somewhat intriguing. The journey is interesting and the use of storytelling to get us there is nice, but it fails to impress. It simply does not end up working as well as it could have, had this book been shorter and more to the point. At some point it became too much.

This book may (and will) appeal to some. The cultural aspect is pretty cool, but needs a pretty solid background knowledge of the Ottoman Empire and Turkey. Some of the internal stories are really good, and some just aren't to certain readers taste (but may be to others, for those interested in random philosophy). On the whole, it's a mediocre book - too long, well-written, undeveloped plot, and good internal story-telling. An original tale as well, but as already mentioned - it could have been much more.

A 2 3/4 rating. Think hard before approaching.

I read each page of this book twice, to come back again and to read it for a third time. It is one of the most beautiful prose I have ever read.

As he describes so well, Orhan Pamuk is a "picturesque writer" and the poetry in his imagery so devastating. There is so much melancholy and a deep sense of tragedy in this piece that it is beyond my imagination.

I had already read Snow and his memoire Istanbul. But "The Black Book" is my favorite.

I have visited Turkey, but not Istanbul. It's one of those iconic places that keeps cropping up in travel plans, but then gets overlooked, possibly because its name fits so easily into my thoughts that I convince myself I have already been there. Having just read Orhan Pamuk's The Black Book, that illusion will be orders of magnitude stronger. Orhan Pamuk won the 2006 Nobel Prize for literature and this seems to have spurned new translations of his work, new versions which hopefully can widen his readership in the English-speaking world.

The Black Book is a gigantic work. And, in the way that I suspect most readers might understand the term, there is no plot. Suffice it to say that Galip wakes up one morning and his wife has disappeared. He assumes she has gone off to seek out her first husband, Celal, a well-known newspaper columnist. Galip sets off to find Celal and, he assumes, his wife, but strangely the journalist has also disappeared. As a means to help him track down the two missing people, Galip immerses himself in Celal's life, his writing and, gradually, his very identity. Effectively he becomes the person he is seeking. He re-reads his past work and discovers unknown things about his own, his wife's and her former husband's past. By then, however, we cannot be sure if we are dealing with reminiscences of Celal, Galip's interpretations of them, Galip's reworking of them, or, indeed, Galip's own words presented as if they were those of Celal.

But the plot in The Black Book is almost irrelevant. It's not a book that one reads to discover what happens. It's a book that's replete with flavour, experience and history, and the reader feasts on vast helpings of all three.

Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - let's face it, there is no other city on earth that has been named three times and where, on each occasion, that name has passed into language as an expression of political, strategic, religious and economic pre-eminence. It's a city that bridges continents, ideologies and faiths. Nowhere else on earth has a greater claim to the very quintessence of humanity than Istanbul. And yet modern Istanbul is a Turkish city, and perhaps its most fascinating aspect is its potential to mirror contemporary debates on religion versus secularism, tradition versus modernity, imperial past versus global present.

The Black Book has thirty-six chapters, each having its own title and prefacing quotation. The form, at least in part, is its content, in that each chapter could be read as if it were an article written by Celal or by Galip impersonating Celal. There is no linear narrative. We experience what inspired the writer and there is no ordering of time or place. But we feel we are in that city. We feel we are living its history, whatever that might be. And we feel we are experiencing contemporary debates on its and its people's identity. The city is central to everything in the book, with its multiple histories and allegiances mixed into the melting pot of its contemporary form.

Throughout, Galip finds he gradually becomes his quarry, Celal. He trades identities and roles, but never permanently, never for sure. In this way the characters become the city, whose sense of place and multiplicity of identities pervade all, thus mirroring the apparent confusion of its - and humanity's - complexity. But the people eventually are always welcomed by some aspect of the city's - and humanity's - multi-faceted nature.

The Black Book is a work that demands to be re-read, but not because it is in any way a difficult or impenetrable read. I have never been to Istanbul, but like the book, I feel it will be an experience that, once tried, will demand to be re-visited.

Not worth the paper it is printed on really. Forget all the over the top reviews of this book as a "Mystical tour of the Orient" "Magic carpet ride blah blah blah" Forget the fact that Orhan Pamuk has a PR organisation behind him that would make most politicians blush, forget the fact that Orhan pamuk is famous only for the fact that he is the only Turkish writer that has his books published in English and Turkish at the same time thus, ensuring he will get maximum coverage, forget the fact that he is almost a walking advert for Milliyet newspaper (and I am sure that fact will have nothing to do with him having such shining reviews in Milliyet and affiliated newspapers) forget all that and just look at the book for what it is and what quality this book is.

No, this is not some "mystical tour" rather it is a collection of worthless ramblings disguised as the writings of an intellectual snob. Pamuk even says himself that he was raised in a household where he knew virtually nothing about Islam apart from seeing the odd servant praying now and again so to consider him any kind of authority on the east is simply laughable his upbringing was probably more western than most of us.

So he takes us to the dark underground of backstreet Istanbul, but Nakshibandi Sheikhs? Give me a break the book is set in Beyoglu, he grew up in Nisantasi the nearest he got to a Naqshbandi was sitting on a train next to one or watching late night Star TV shock reportage.

Back street gangsters, strange left wing groups this book drifts along to nowhere just hundreds of pages of pointless drivel and misquoted books. Just because he throws in a bit about Rumi and quotes ibn Arabi suddenly he is taking the reader on a "mystical tour"? Come on, are we really to be fooled so easily? Imagine if any English or American writer started throwing in quotes from Canterbury Tales, St Nino, The Gospels etc would we suddenly think him/her to be some great writer of modern English literature or would we question his use of such works, question his/her motives and probably laugh at such a poor attempt at trying to look smart.

There is no plot to this book and little point either. pamuk uses the same formula in every book he writes. East meets West, throw in a bit of ibn Arabi and Rumi (makes the western audience interested and the liberals look like they care) throw in a few left wing groups (keeps your PR machine of Milliyet and Cumhuriyet happy) and just ramble about nothing the reader is so puzzled they convince themselves that it must be good because they couldn't understand a thing.

Buy this book if you must but please, do not compare this joker to greats like Kafka.

This book has a lot of details and is very good. Don't expect this book to tell you lots and lots about the gangsters of the era... it's more of a detailed account of the FBI and how they got organized. Again, lots of details, making it slow reading, but very good material!

This is a great book. Author infers in his introduction that this was a labor of love and it shows in his writing. At over 500 pages, it shows the relationship of the five major criminal gangs of the 1933-34 time period. Those were the Barker Gang, Bonnie and Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, Machine Gun Kelly, Baby Face Nelson, and Dillenger. With the exception of Bonnie and Clyde (who were strictly small time), all knew each other and helped in raids. None of these people were glamourous since they all murdered people. Dillenger killed three policemen. Bonnie, Clyde, and Baby Face Nelson were psychopaths. Why people had admiration for them is beyond me, but the times were hard and many felt banks were as crooked as those who robbed them.

This book also details the rise of the FBI and how Hoover interferred with the progress of investigations. Purvis was mildly incompetent. Why some of these gangsters roomed the streets was due to FBI leads not being followed up. In the end, the FBI became more professional due to this crime wave. Hoover went on to become the Crime Dictator for forty years.

This is a great book and is very readable. For those interested in the Great Depression and the fall of the bank robbers, this is a treasure trove of information. Highly recommended.

A very interesting book. Let's you know exactly what happens back in the old days. Good reading.

For history buffs, this is a find! I could not put this book down! WoW, loaded, just packed with information on the PUBLIC ENEMIES! With all the fuss now, with Johnny Depp starring in Public Enemies, based on this book, I am sure this will be THE book everyone will have to read. The movie is coming out in 2009. Filmed in the Midwest; Wisconsin, Indiana, etc, and even at Little Bohemia, in Northern Wisconsin, where the Feds goofed up bigtime and J.Edgar Hoover covered, or at least tried to cover up their blunder, when innocent citizens were gunned down, instead of the "gangstas". You will love this, you won't want the book to end, it covers all of them, Johhny Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, Ma Barker and her gang, Machine Gun Kelly. It's all here, and of course, Bonnie and Clyde. You will be right at the scenes, even when they met their bloody early demise, and most of them went out shooting their tommy guns. The author did a magnificent job of researching his subjects. You won't be disappointed spending a weekend reading this one!

This is what good history books should be all about. Mr. Burrough's engaging retelling of the overly romanticized, Depression-era criminals and exposing Hoover's public relations spin for personal gain was very effect. Historians that capably dissect events from the past help us to understand how today's events are also manipulated for political and philosophical gain. As trite as it may sound, history does repeat itself. Mr. Burrough's book is well written and kept me entertained and informed throughout. Thoroughly enjoyable.

This book has proven to be a great book for identifing cartridges and just learning about some of the not so common rounds out there. It is a very complete book covering black powder cartridges to modern. Each cartridge in the book has a little description and some history and some even have the dimensions of the round. Interesting reading for researching or pleasure.

One of the most comprehensive sources of information about cartridges available. A MUST have for you library of firearms information.

Steve Adams
AdamsQuailHunter on GunBroker and Ancientguns Forums

EXCELLENT BOOK FOR ALL SHOOTERS, FROM THE 22CAL. ON UP !! NOW I REALLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY 9.3X57 AND THE 30/06 CARTRIDGE.

A lot of good information but the author seems to be behind in the modern day cartridges. Russ Haydon of the Woodchuck Den has really brought the 20 cal. into public view. With the several 20 cals. out there the author mentioned the 204 Ruger (an outstanding round), but very little else in that caliber.

Frank Barnes was one of the great old timers that we have lost. A gentleman of seemingly infinite knowledge concerning ammunition and firearms. Much like his late friend John T. Amber, he willingly shared it with all.

For much of the life of this book I would have easily given it five stars. Indeed if you have never read this book, and have more than a passing interest in cartridges, it still rates five stars. However I have been collecting and shooting guns for over fifty years, and have picked up a few prejudices along the way that color my judgment of the current work (11th ED.).

My main gripe is that the publishing company seems to be trying to turn this into their cash cow by printing new editions in such short order that they actually show little or nothing new.

The entire "Proprietary Cartridges" chapter is another problem. The chapter seems to be little more than an advertisement for JDJ/SSK Industries, Lazzeroni, A-Square, and several other minor players. What makes a cartridge "Proprietary" seems to change from cartridge to cartridge. Indeed some cartridges listed as "Current" would seem to be "Proprietary" and vice versa. Better to scrap this entire advertisement er... chapter, and put the whole mess under "Wildcats" and quit playing at semantics.

With all of the various Short Magnums and Super Short Magnums that have been introduced in the last ten years we seem to be once again in an era of reinventing the ammunition wheel. Whether any of these new cartridges will stick is still up in the air. You would think that this amount of change in the civilian market would spur any number of interesting articles in a publication such as this. Wrong. Instead we learn about the needle gun. Interesting, but hardly timely.

I suspect this publication will continue to flounder as long as the current set up exists. Hopefully someone will adopt the concept as their baby and completely rewrite and edit it closely. This is what it deserves, and what Frank would have wanted as well.