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AMERICAN GUN
The True Story of the AR-15
“[A] magisterial work of narrative history and original reportage."
—The New York Times Book Review
“A riveting exploration of the cost of the nation’s fascination with an iconic weapon.”
— Kirkus starred review
“[R]iveting history....This book is not to be missed." —Esquire
“An indispensable read.”—THe Guardian
American Gun Blog


Library Journal reviews Audiobook of "meticulously researched" American Gun
Library Journal has reviewed the audiobook of American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15, read by Roger Wayne, declaring the work...
Dec 16, 2023


Mass-Shooting survivor Valerie Kallis-Weber speaks to Cleveland radio Host Jimmy Malone
Valerie Kallis-Weber, who survived the 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, now lives in the Cleveland area, where she grew...
Dec 12, 2023


Traci Thomas of The Stacks Podcast picks American Gun
Traci Thomas, host of the popular "The Stacks" podcast has chosen American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 for her list of the best...
Dec 11, 2023


American Gun makes the shortlist for Zócalo's 2024 book prize
Thank you Zócalo Public Square for choosing American Gun: The True Story of The AR-15 for the 2024 Zócalo's book prize shortlist....
Dec 7, 2023


OTD 1961: Defense Dept. Spy Agency approves purchase of AR-15s for testing in Vietnam
On Dec. 4, 1961, the Defense Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency approved the purchase of a thousand AR-15 rifles from Colt to...
Dec 4, 2023


A GENERAL, WATERMELONS AND THE AR-15
A key moment in the history of the AR-15 rifle — an event that led to the gun’s ultimate adoption by the U.S. military — came on July 4,...
Dec 1, 2023


Biden's Blunt Remark about the 1994 Assault-Weapons Ban
During intense negotiations in 1994 about the large crime package and an attached assault-weapons ban, then-Senator Joe Biden of Delaware...
Nov 26, 2023


McWhirter on Word Balloon podcast to talk about American Gun
Thanks to John Siuntres, host of the comics and culture podcast "Word Balloon," for having Cameron McWhirter on the show to talk about...
Nov 21, 2023


Kirkus Reviews picks American Gun for its list of the best nonfiction of 2023
The prestigious Kirkus Reviews has chosen American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 as on of the top ten nonfiction books of 2023....
Nov 19, 2023


Washington Post picks American Gun for its list of best nonfiction of 2023
The Washington Post has chosen American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 as one of the most notable nonfiction books of 2023. Editors and...
Nov 16, 2023


McWhirter talks American Gun on C-SPAN BookTV panel at Texas Book Festival
Cameron McWhirter spoke at the Texas Book Festival on a panel with author/journalist Jeff Sharlet and Texas Tribune Editor-in-Chief...
Nov 16, 2023


Texas Book Festival Talk Sunday Nov. 12, 12:30
Cameron McWhirter, co-author of American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15, will be joining a panel Sunday, Nov. 12, at 12:30 p.m. with...
Nov 11, 2023


C-SPAN creates American Gun educational material
McWhirter and Elison spoke with author Paul Barrett on C-SPAN's BookTV about American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15. You can watch it...
Nov 10, 2023


McWhirter at Texas Book Festival on Nov. 12 in Austin
Cameron McWhirter, co-author of American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15, will join prominent author/journalist/professor Jeff Sharlet...
Nov 8, 2023


Five key insights from American Gun for "Next Big Idea Club"
Panio Gianopoulous over at the Next Big Idea Club asked McWhirter and Elinson to present five key insights from American Gun: The True...
Nov 8, 2023


The National Book Review Picks American Gun as one of its "Five hot Books"
The National Book Review, an online journal about new books with leading journalists and critics as contributors, has chosen American...
Nov 8, 2023


Guardian interviews McWhirter + Elinson about American Gun
Abené Clayton interviewed Cameron McWhirter and Zusha Elinson, authors of American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15, about the gun and...
Nov 1, 2023


McWhirter Interviewed about American Gun by Jimmy Malone on iHeart Media Cleveland
Cameron McWhirter, co-author of American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15, spoke with well-known Cleveland personality Jimmy Malone on...
Nov 1, 2023


The Guardian calls American Gun "An indispensable read"
The Guardian calls American Gun “an indispensable read.” Author and journalist Charles Kaiser writes: "Written by two fine Wall Street...
Oct 29, 2023


"Skipped History" Podcast talks with McWhirter + Elinson about American Gun
Thanks to Ben Tumin, host of the excellent podcast "Skipped History" (See recent NYTimes profile) for having McWhirter and Elinson on to...
Oct 27, 2023
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