This book will take you on a brutal and matter-of-fact journey through the AR-15's invention in Eugene Stoner's garage through the ever increasing amount of casualties from civilian wielders of this weapon. The engineering journey of this gun is fascinating, and Stoner's genius is evident. The book is clear, thorough, and almost clinical in its descriptions of what this weapon was made to do and why it succeeded in a military setting. Then the story shifts into the real world civilian consequences of this weapon being so ubiquitous and readily available to carry out unimaginable carnage at almost a moment's notice. The heartbreak of those who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured comes through loud in clear in an effective contrast to to the clinical descriptions of the gun and the shootings the gun made possible.

Solutions to the rash of mass shootings are presented, but there doesn't seem to be much hope of meaningful change, which I appreciated as it is a realistic stance at this moment. However, there are glimmers of hope here and there. I doubt this book will change any minds, but I certainly hope it will somehow.

Narrator Roger Wayne is the perfect voice to capture the clinical descriptions of the gun and shootings while allowing the heartbreak and despair to come through clear and true. The audiobook is a tour de force.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for providing a copy for review purposes. My opinions are my own.

This was a fantastic book detailing the history of the AR-15 that also goes into detailing of who was the original inventor of the weapon as well as how the AR-15 grew in popularity in the United States and how the gun is now known for its use in so many mass shootings. While the beginning of the book felt a bit slow with a lot of names being thrown at the reader to establish where the AR-15 began, it ended up gaining momentum and became even more interesting the more I got through it.

It was fascinating to learn how unpopular the gun first was when it was first made and how its use in the Vietnam War was not handled well and led to a lot of American deaths because of its faulty mechanics.

In my opinion, the strongest part of this book is the detailing of all of the mass shootings we have had the United States that used this gun. Americans have become so used to hearing about these horrific events on the news and the authors' decision to outline the damage that these sorts of weapons reaped onto the victims of mass shootings and how legislative action has failed time and time again to do anything to combat these mass shootings was incredibly done.

I'm praying that in my lifetime we can have some sort of ban on these weapons and mass shootings become something of the past in our country.

Highly enjoyed this well researched and compelling exploration of the AR-15 rifle, which weaved together history and cultural commentary. This book traces the AR-15’s journey from Eugene Stoner’s inventive mind in a 1950s California garage to its controversial status as both a symbol of freedom and a tool of destruction. The first half provides history, while the second half dives into narrative storytelling of various lives impacted or lost to assault weapons in the US. This is an engrossing, thought-provoking book that will stay with you for long after you're finished reading.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley, in conjunction with Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux for an advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really well done history on how guns came to be so popular in America. It included so much information I didn't know, and that the average American would probably have no idea about. I did find myself getting bored during certain parts but overall it managed to keep my attention. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is a great listen. It was interesting, and I was compelled to learn about the history of the AR-15 and how it has become so prevalent in American society. I ended up purchasing the ebook to be able to have it as a reference. There is a lot of history here and I learned a lot.

The first part of the book is about the creation of the AR-15 by Eugene Stoner. It includes information about other gun makers, different manufacturers and government/military involvment. Some of this section lags - it perhaps could have been presented in a more concise way, although I am not sure what could have been left out. It is good background information to be aware of. The second part of the book details the usage of AR-15 by civilians and the laws that have either been made or failed to be made to restrict its use.The facts are presented in a way that gives us the facts but doesn’t preach at us what we should think about it. This approach makes the book powerful.

I feel much more informed after consuming this information, and feel it is important to have an understanding of this history. I will be coming back again and again as I have an opportunity to engage in conversation about this important issue.

Great listen, it was interesting to learn about the history of the AR-15 and how it has become so prevalent in American society.

I was into this at first, but somewhere about a quarter of the way through, I realized I was totally zoning out when I meant to be listening. Delving too far into the weeds for me.
Thanks, anyway, to #netgalley and #farrarstrausandgiroux for this #arc of #americangun in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
The history of the AR15 was explained in a thoughtful way, including anecdotes about the people involved. The narrator was easy to listen to. I prefer 1.5 speed and his voice was still clear. Recommended for those interested in history, especially as it relates to current issues.

“What self-respecting hunter needed a rapid-fire rifle?”

The first half of the book focuses on the origins of the AR-15, rooted in the history of the American military — appropriately so for a military-grade weapon. Engaging where it could be boring, the story is one of both innovation and blunder, it has heroes and villains, it has life or death stakes. This part of the book was fine, likely necessary, but not what I came for… That came in part two.

There was a time when mass shootings didn’t happen everyday, the NRA wasn’t a political organization, and the AR-15 was already banned — with bipartisan support! This book traces every loophole, workaround, and circumvention used to maintain civilian access to this weapon of war over the following decades. At the very least it will give you a few facts to support your arguments at Thanksgiving… If facts still matter to whomever you’re arguing with.

By chapter 23, when we reach the Aurora, CO shooting at <i>The Dark Knights Rises</i>, we begin cruising through the gun’s greatest hits of American tragedies. You know them all. Here the book struggles to find anything new to say about these events, every stone already turned by the 24/7 news cycle. But perhaps there’s something to be gained from the aggregation, a deeper context.

The book ends at a 4th of July parade in 2023 because it has to end somewhere if it’s meant to be published. Of course, it’s already out of date… It’s a depressing and disheartening read, obviously, it’s brutal and not for everyone. If you do read it, it’ll stick with you for some time.

Anyway, register to vote.

American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 is precisely what it is titled - the history of the AR-15. The book is in two parts. The first follows the creation of the AR-15 by Eugene Stoner, and his attempt to get it used by American soldiers in Vietnam. This section is a fairly standard nonfiction book, and while it is interesting, it got a bit dry at times. The second, however, is where this book truly shines.

The second section of this book follows the usage of AR-15s by civilians, and the laws made (or not made) to restrict its use. This is the section where content warnings are absolutely needed, as it discusses mass shootings in great detail (though I would argue without being overly grotesque). McWhirter and Elinson do a great job of tackling such a difficult topic - both emotionally and politically. The book is written in a way that lays out the facts involved, without feeling like you're being pandered to in either direction.

This book is very powerful, and will stick with me for a long time. The chapter about the massacre at Sandy Hook absolutely wrecked me - particularly as the authors write about the horrific damage that was done and the absolute lack of inaction that followed. I will recommend this book, but I will not recommend it lightly.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fascinating read learning the history of this deadly weapon. I feel much better informed. It is very uneasy to read when you are passionate against guns, but it’s important to understand the history.

This is a very well done evaluation of gun control. It was very informative. I really enjoyed learning about the need for the AR15 in the military as well as the politics behind the options for good weapons for ground fighting. The way the gun was then embraced by certain citizens was eye opening. It was nice how the book also went in depth paying tribute to victims of gun violence. This was so well done how it informed without imposing biased views.

This was a gripping and absolutely heartbreaking history of the AR15. Starting with its invention by a gun enthusiast with no formal training who just wanted to give US soldiers a fighting chance in war, through the financial turmoil of its jump to the private market, its use as a political and financial pawn and its use in many mass shootings. Included are background stories of some of the victims and perpetrators of the mass shootings.

The authors managed to cover all of this with remarkable respect for the people involved. Roger Wayne did a fantastic job of narrating and was incredibly easy to listen to. I did not expect this book to impact me so much but the more you know...