American rifle: a biography

Description

This spirited and engrossing narrative vividly details the life of a seminal invention--the American rifle--and shows not only how it influenced the course of the nation's history, but also reflects the needs and values of America itself. Abstract: This spirited and engrossing narrative vividly details the life of a seminal invention--the American rifle--and shows not only how it influenced the course of the nation's history, but also reflects the needs and values of America itself Content: The mystery of Washington's rifle -- The rifle and the Revolution -- The rise of the machines -- The big bang -- The "grewsome graveyard" -- The army of marksmen and the soldier's faith -- The smokeless revolution -- Roosevelt's rifle -- The paths not taken -- The great blunderbuss bungle -- Gun of the space age -- The rifle of the future.