Items related to Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That...
Synopsis
A fascinating history of the men who invented the machine gun - and the devastating impact it had on the course of war Why did the British start the First World War with only 264 machine guns, far fewer than the other great powers? Why were the generals so disdainful of them, despite the way the Maxim gun had decimated native armies in numerous colonial wars? In the First War, the British had to learn the hard way, with 20,000 men mown down by machine guns on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Around 80 percent of all the casualties in that war were caused by machine guns. Anthony Smith explores this extraordinary paradox in his important new book; he also tells the story of the remarkable men who invented and developed the machine gun - men like Samuel Colt, Richard Gatling and Hiram Maxim. Gatling's gun was first used in the American Civil War; but it was Maxim, with his barnstorming salesmanship to all the leading military powers, who did most to create a deadly new form of warfare. Filled with fresh insights and vivid eye-witness accounts, Machine Gun is history at its most readable and provocative.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Back Cover
"Extraordinary...Smith engages the reader's emotions."
--San Antonio Express News
The machine gun is a uniquely American invention that, more than any other single invention, revolutionized the way in which war was waged. Machine Gun tells the story of the people responsible for the development of the weapon itself: beginning with Samuel Colt's creation of the first mass-produced, rapid-firing revolver; to Dr. Richard Gatling and his Gatling Gun; and Hiram Maxim, whose Maxim Gun was the first truly automatic weapon.
In this engrossing history, Smith traces the uses of the rapid-fire gun and its slow integration into the weaponry of military forces around the world. First used primarily to 'pacify' native populations, the machine gun was not fully integrated into military tactics until after the unprecedented casualties of World War I and the resultant social upheaval that utterly changed the very nature of tactical warfare. Machine Gun is an enthralling account of the people who invented and promoted the weapon, how it affected the very nature of warfare, and of the society out of which it arose-and which it in turn transformed inexorably.
About the Author
Anthony Smith is the author of many books and has hosted a number of programs on television, mostly on the BBC, and on the radio. He lives in England.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPiatkus, London
- Publication date2002
- ISBN 10 0749923520
- ISBN 13 9780749923525
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Seller: Red's Corner LLC, Tucker, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: VeryGood. All orders ship by next business day! This is a used hardcover book. Pages have no markings and has some wear. Dust jacket is included and has wear and small tears. The cover/boards have wear. For USED books, we cannot guarantee supplemental materials such as CDs, DVDs, access codes and other materials. We are a small company and very thankful for your business!. Seller Inventory # 4CNUVO00012J
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_352209781
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_315001890
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Seller: HPB-Ruby, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_279001806
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Seller: ThriftBooks-Reno, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.3. Seller Inventory # G0749923520I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.3. Seller Inventory # G0749923520I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.3. Seller Inventory # G0749923520I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Published by
Little, Brown Book Group, United Kingdom, London, 2002
ISBN 10: 0749923520
ISBN 13: 9780749923525
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. A fascinating history of the men who invented the machine gun - and the devastating impact it had on the course of war Why did the British start the First World War with only 264 machine guns, far fewer than the other great powers? Why were the generals so disdainful of them, despite the way the Maxim gun had decimated native armies in numerous colonial wars? In the First War, the British had to learn the hard way, with 20,000 men mown down by machine guns on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Around 80 percent of all the casualties in that war were caused by machine guns. Anthony Smith explores this extraordinary paradox in his important new book; he also tells the story of the remarkable men who invented and developed the machine gun - men like Samuel Colt, Richard Gatling and Hiram Maxim. Gatling's gun was first used in the American Civil War; but it was Maxim, with his barnstorming salesmanship to all the leading military powers, who did most to create a deadly new form of warfare. Filled with fresh insights and vivid eye-witness accounts, Machine Gun is history at its most readable and provocative. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001558962
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780749923525
Quantity: 4 available
Stock Image
Machine Gun: The Story of the Men and the Weapon That Changed the Face of War
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Torn/worn dj. Good hardcover with some shelfwear; may have previous owner's name inside. Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # mon0000170176
Quantity: 1 available