Do not read. Apparently, Michael Bellesiles lost his Bancroft Prize (and his position at Emory Univ.) for academic dishonesty when it was proven that he invented the "research data".

The myth of America's gun culture exposed in this exceptionally scholarly work. ( )

To be honest, I mostly read this book because of the controversy surrounding it, to see what all the furor was about. It was, as often is the case, a tempest in a teapot. The book is meticulously researched and documented in detail, but there is one appendix that was questioned, and caused all sorts of commotion. The author's arguments do not stand or fall on the disputed facts; in fact, the portion in question adds nothing to the argument one way or another. This book was unfairly treated, being judged by a cadre of outraged individuals who perceived it as a personal attack, and rather than engaging with the author's arguments, preferred to engage in ad hominem arguments such as America hater. This book deserves another, more balanced review. You don't have to agree with all his premises (or any of them) to think about them. ( )

A disgrace to academia. Mr. Bellesiles was fired and discredited for this work. Mr. Bellesiles is an American hater who refuses to leave this country. His tome adds nothing to the gun control debate and less to historical record.

I gave the author 1-star for his chronicling the Philadelphia election riots during the first half of the 19Th century. The rioters protested what they believed was election fraud requiring the governor to mobilize the state militia to keep the peace. I found it ironic that the author mentioned these riots and mobilizing the malta; history that defeats his argument for gun control! ( )