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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


American Gun is "essential" reading -- Technology and Society magazine
American Gun "essential" reading says Technology and Science magazine.
Mar 20


McWhirter talks about American Gun and the AR-15 on "America Trends" Podcast
Larry Rifkin, host of the long-running "America Trends" podcast, spoke at length with Cameron McWhirter, co-author of American Gun: The...
Jan 4, 2024


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


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


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


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


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


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


Thanks to Readers Of American Gun
Thanks to those reading and talking about American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15. The interest in this important subject has been...
Oct 20, 2023


New York Times Book Review Picks American Gun as an "Editor's Choice"
The New York Times Book Review has chosen American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 for its "Editors' Choice" list. "This masterly feat...
Oct 19, 2023


New Yorker: American Gun is one of the "Best Books We've Read in 2023 So Far."
The New Yorker chose American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 for its running list of the best books of 2023. Editors wrote: "One of the...
Oct 19, 2023


Book critic on KJZZ in Phoenix recommends American Gun
Book critic Mark Athitakis picks American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 as one of three must-read books of the season. He says: "It...
Oct 11, 2023


Esquire picks American Gun as one of the best books of Fall 2023: "This book is not to be missed."
Adrienne Westenfeld writes: "In this riveting history, two Wall Street Journal reporters trace the AR-15’s lethal path through our...
Sep 30, 2023


The Atlantic publishes an essay adapted from American Gun
The Atlantic published "The Creator of the AR-15 Didn’t See This Coming," an essay by Elinson and McWhirter adapted from American Gun:...
Sep 27, 2023


Washington Post declares the new Book American Gun "Deeply reported, engrossing."
Mark Follman, author of Trigger Points: Inside the Mission to Stop Mass Shootings in America, reviewed Amercian Gun for the Washington...
Sep 26, 2023


Bloomberg News picks American Gun for its "Fall's 10 most Anticipated New Books"
James Tarmy of Bloomberg News picked American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 as the top nonfiction book on his list of "This Fall's 10...
Sep 25, 2023


Associated Press: American Gun "well-reported" and "vital"
Andrew DeMillo of the Associated Press reviews American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 and declares, "The well-reported book is vital...
Sep 25, 2023


New York Times Book Review calls American Gun "a magisterial work"
Mike Spies, a senior staff writer at the Trace reviewed American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 for the NYTBR. He declared the book "a...
Sep 25, 2023


Next Big Idea Club picks American Gun
American Gun makes The Next Big Idea Club’s September 2023 list of "Must-Read Books."
Sep 15, 2023
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