U.S. RIFLE M14: FROM JOHN GARAND TO THE M21

340 pages. Hardcover with a dust jacket. INSCRIBED TO A COLLECTOR AND SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR. The development of the M14 took place during the post-World War II-and-Korea period, which saw immense shifts in American Defense policy in the new Atomic age, and, concurrently, colossal power struggles within the hierarchy of the U.S. Defense Department. Shoulder rifle development was small potatoes indeed against such a backdrop, and it was treated as such. An internecine, niggardly and uncertain atmosphere thus dogged the path of the emerging M14 right from the beginning, proving to contain in the end powerful, deadly seeds of destruction and demise, not only for the lightweight Rifle Program, but for the very core of the 174 year-old U.S. Armory System, plus, ultimately the whole traditional Army Ordnance small arms development ad procurement structure itself. The M14 story is fraught with enigmas and great and multitudinous ironies; it is as well a model study of Modern Bigness and its inherent chaos of labyrinthine vertical, horizontal and territorial divivions In the face of every adversity, however, the fundamentals of John Garand's design of turnbolt rifles shine through, when properly appreciated, and the story ends after all on a note of telling vindication for the M14, albeit in a highly specialized role, as a fitting, fighting American work of art. The M14 story has thus to do with much more than just a piece of hardware, it concerns immense power, vaunting ambition and high drama. In all, it is a celebration of the American Way. Lont out of print. The Book is in Near Fine condition with only modest use. The Dust Jacket shows some light rubbing and edge wear. There is one short tear at the top front. Overall the Dust Jacket is about Very Good.…