Henry C. (rhclayto) - , reviewed on 7/6/2010 + 30 more book reviews

Another reviewer has asserted that 'much' of the data in this book has been called into question, & been shown to be false. This is incorrect. A small subset of the author's research has been shown to be in error, mostly his treatment of probate records. The reviewer also claims that the data was 'fudged'. The author has never been credibly accused of having falsified data. Both of these claims are oft-repeated canards propagated by gun-lobby interests & sympathizers.

But the important point is that the large majority of his research has in fact been corroborated, rather than the other way round. This in the face of (or perhaps because of) a level of scrutiny afforded very few works of history ever published. The author has responded to this with as thorough an emendation as I have ever seen, something very rare in academia or in publishing. This can be found in the second edition of this book, which is to be recommended above this edition (listed at PBS at http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9781932360073-Arming+America+The+Origins+of+a+National+Gun+Culture). For a synopsis of the author's detailed response, see http://www.softskull.com/files/weighed_even_balance.pdf .

It is lamentable that the author was so sloppy with a portion of his data, as is his inept handling of the subsequent inevitable controversy (striking as the work does, although more obliquely than most gun advocates seem to imagine, at America's self-image).

The author's thesis is cogent & thought-provoking, & well worth engaging with. Don't be steered away by the controversy.

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