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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

Mar 10, 2024
Thank You Tucson Festival of Books
Crowds of eager, thoughtful readers, fascinating authors working in a wide range of genres, and wonderful weather -- all unfolding in...


Feb 20, 2024
American Gun authors on "Burned By Books" podcast
Chris Holmes, chair of the English department at Ithaca College and host of the popular "Burned By Books" podcast, had Zusha Elinson and...


Feb 11, 2024
THANK YOU, LAGRANGE
Thanks to Pretty Good Books, a great bookstore in beautiful building (an old church and former funeral home) in downtown LaGrange,...


Jan 23, 2024
McWhirter interview on TFTC Podcast about American Gun
Thanks to Bob Nebel, host of the Atlanta-based "Tales from The Corners" podcast, for speaking with Cameron McWhirter about American Gun:...


Jan 6, 2024
Jan. 6 and the AR-15
#OTD The Jan. 6th riot took place at the nation's Capitol in 2021. As described in American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15, the AR-15...

Jan 4, 2024
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...


Dec 17, 2023
The faulty M16 rifle in Vietnam and Mattel's toy gun
As the US ramped up its involvement in the Vietnam War, the Pentagon ordered tens of thousands of military versions of AR-15s, renamed...


Dec 16, 2023
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 11, 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 7, 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 4, 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 1, 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,...


Nov 26, 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
American Gun sighted in bookstores across the country
Thanks to everyone sending photos of American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 sighted on the shelves of bookstores across the country,...


Nov 21, 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 19, 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 16, 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 11, 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 10, 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...
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