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My Book review of Glock: The Rise of America's Gun

8K views 48 replies 25 participants last post by  Ridge Runner 
#1 ·
I am not sure this is the right place but I thought I would share a review I wrote about an upcoming book that I got a free review copy of. I was not paid in any way, Barrett found me on Twitter because I tweet about range time and stuff like that. This version is edited down. I removed the quotes from the book because of copyright issues that some forums have. The original is on my site:

Glock: The Rise of America's Gun is not the work of a Glock fanboy like many of these gun books are. It is the gun version of Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World. Of course it is an historically-accurate representation of the life and times of Gaston Glock and everything GLOCK, Inc., and its line of handguns.

It is also a complete history of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, a history of gun-related politics and policies, and also a very accurate and sober portrayal of America's love for and of guns.

In the same way you read Cod even though you're not into fish or fishing, you really should read Glock. If you're anti-gun, you'll learn both about the culture of firearms in America and how powerfull and intelligent -- savvy -- a force your enemy really is. If you're pro-gun, the Glock revolution will blow your mind, especially in contrast with how pathetically every gun manufacturer in the world performed against GLOCK, especially poor Smith & Wesson, a company that watched as GLOCK came in and single-handedly replaced every .38 Special revolver in every police station in America with not only a high-capacity, semi-automatic, magazine-fed pistol, but with a Glock 17.

I can keep on going. Each story is more amazing than the next. The chutzpah of Gaston Glock is only bettered by the cajones of his right hand man during the early days in Atlanta, Mr. Karl Walter, a man who turned the conservative and serious world of arms sales and arms dealing in America into a discoteque, into a circus, into a strip club, into a world of Hollywood action flicks, rap music videos, and an army of Glock devotees that is only bettered by those mad men and women who are obsessed with their 1911.

Let me explain why I know so much about this book and it's not even out yet. Well, I read an advanced Gally copy of the book. On November 4th, Paul Barrett contacted me to review his upcoming book, Glock: The Rise of America's Gun. He chose me because I guess I am pretty open about both my gun ownership and my attraction to Glocks. Though I have only been shooting for a year, I already have a pretty nice collection of three Glock handguns: a Generation 3 Glock 23 in .40 S&W, a 9mm First Generation Glock 17 -- the original -- a retiree from the DC police department, and my Generation 4 Glock 26, my Baby Glock, in 9mm.

So, in an exemplary blogger outreach campaign, Mr, Barrett sent me a Galley copy to read. And I read it. I consumed it and was mesmerized. I was mesmerized by how much I didn't know about these United States, about gun legislation, about gun bans and bans on high-capacity magazines. I was flabbergasted by the loopholes in these bans that were so big you could taxi a 747 through them,

I was not mesmerized by the typical fanboy depiction of their favorite gun and gun maker, I was mesmerized by a book writen by a in investigative journalist who dig into the GLOCK empire, and its ripple effects on not just Law Enforcement but popular culture, rap music, politics, television, and hundreds of movies.

I really didn't know anything about the history of firearms in America or how they're sourced and have been banned; how they're imported -- or, rather, sourced and then assembled -- and how they're marketed and sold.

And that's not even scratching the surface of all that is GLOCK, Inc, and its illustrious founder, Gaston Glock, an Austrian nerd who ended up developing, designing, and producing the most iconic pistol since the Colt 1911.

If you liked Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World, Salt: A World History, The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell, Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World, or Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, you'll love Glock: The Rise of America's Gun by Paul M. Barrett.
 
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#2 ·
It's available as a 'pre-purchase' on Kindle. I have ordered one...
 
#3 ·
Ok, content aside (Glock?) you have my attention, given the chance ,I will read Mr. Barrett latest effort...his SALT and Banana live on the boat, mainly because I never tire of reading them (again) real cyrstal clarity is a treat, total brain candy..... ....Barretts Salt should be required reading for all students of history and economics.................$.02

OK, got it....thx Doc
 
#4 ·
I am sorry, but Barrett didn't write those books, I don't think, but they're similar to his book in that they take something that is pretty much ignored in terms of their influence and effect on everything else and then show how important Cod was to Europe and and, in this case, how Glock has influenced politics, law enforcement, movies, TV, music, etc, in such profound ways. Maybe too profound. And yes, Glock is a lot about marketing. I am super glad that the Glock hype, IMHO, lives up to my experience with my three GLOCKs.
 
#6 ·
That's what everyone says.

Glock is to guns as Arnold Schwarzenegger is to Governors. Both of them are actually born and raised in Austria but quickly outgrew their humble birthplace to become the darlings of the New World.
 
#7 ·
Responding to review of GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun

Dooga (Chris)'s review and follow-up commentary on my new book is exactly right. One of the things that's so fascinating about Glock is that an Austrian-designed firearm became America's gun. How did that happen? GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun tells the unlikely story. Thanks for your interest! All best, Paul M. Barrett, Author

My website: Glock | The Rise of America's Gun | By Paul M. Barrett

Amazon (where you can preorder at a nice discount): Amazon.com: Glock: The Rise of America's Gun (9780307719935): Paul M. Barrett: Books
 
#9 ·
Welcome, Paul! Thanks for finding me here! I am sure that they folks here will be blissed out that they have the author, himself, to chat with. You are so good at this -- so many authors suck at reaching out to online communities.
 
#10 ·
Happy to be here, and an invite...

I'm glad to make myself available for online conversation about GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun.

You can order the book at a nice discount for delivery Jan 10 here:
Amazon.com: Glock: The Rise of America's Gun (9780307719935): Paul M. Barrett: Books

I'd also like to invite members of this web forum to upcoming book parties -- one in New York and one in Washington DC.

Jan 10 (Tues) @ 7pm at Book Court, 163 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY (in the heart of Cobble Hill)
AND

Feb 4 (Sat) @ 6 pm at Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington DC

Friends, colleagues, and readers right off the street will be gathering to discuss GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun and lift a glass and have nosh. Please join Julie and me and all our wonderful pals at these two outstanding independent book stores.

All best & Happy New Year,
Paul Barrett
Author, GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun
 
#49 · (Edited)
I'm glad to make myself available for online conversation about GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun.

You can order the book at a nice discount for delivery Jan 10 here:
Amazon.com: Glock: The Rise of America's Gun (9780307719935): Paul M. Barrett: Books

I'd also like to invite members of this web forum to upcoming book parties -- one in New York and one in Washington DC.

Jan 10 (Tues) @ 7pm at Book Court, 163 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY (in the heart of Cobble Hill)
AND

Feb 4 (Sat) @ 6 pm at Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington DC

Friends, colleagues, and readers right off the street will be gathering to discuss GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun and lift a glass and have nosh. Please join Julie and me and all our wonderful pals at these two outstanding independent book stores.

All best & Happy New Year,
Paul Barrett
Author, GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun

In the reviews on Amazon there are several readers who noticed a very strong "anti-gun" bias in the book. Could you please comment on on those reviews? If there is some "left-wing, pro gun control" bias in the book, then it really does not interest me. I can get that from the news.

Could you please elaborate on it?

Do you support civilian ownership of magazines that exceed 10 rounds?
Do you support any new gun control laws on a federal or state level? If so, what are they?
Do you support a so called "assault weapons ban" in any way shape or form?
Do you support any additional or current laws that restrict people from defending themselves, like repealing/restricting castle doctrine, stand your ground, high capacity mag posession, etc.?

Thank you.
 
#12 ·
Well, I guarantee you that I am here long-term. I don't intend to be a short-termer, but I do like the book. And guess what, you have the author here. He's been over on GlockTalk for a while, but I think Paul followed me here based on the post.
 
#15 ·
As Dooga, pointed out, I'm pleased to answer questions about my book: why I wrote it, how I wrote it, how defensive carry figured into the rise of Glock in America. Of course, every author wants you to buy his book. This author also wants to engage in what he hopes will be illuminating discussion with audiences that care deeply about the subject of the book. Thanks for your interest and happy new year to all. -- Paul Barrett, author, GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun
 
#17 ·
I'm sure the book is well written and all that, however when I do web searches for the term "America's Gun" as applied to Glock the only thing I find is references to Mr. Barrett's book.

At any rate I'll be looking forward to "Toyota: the Rise of America's Car" in the near future.
 
#23 ·
At any rate I'll be looking forward to "Toyota: the Rise of America's Car" in the near future.
Sorry.....the Honda Accord is America's car, not the Toyota. :biggrin2:

I'm thankful for global competition. Fierce competition brings ever-improving products to market, which is good for consumers. You may not like foreign competitors, but if it wasn't for them, we'd probably still have the AMC Gremlin and the Ford Pinto instead of the vastly improved automobiles that we have today.
 
#18 ·
Author of new GLOCK book responds

I plead guilty to spreading the idea that GLOCK is "America's Gun." It is interesting that some otherwise very sophisticated gun owners, bloggers, forum participants resist the idea. GLOCK is American in precisely the same way that Toyota is American. Both foreign manufacturers came out with reliable products that get the job done. They captured the imagination of American consumers. By doing so, they became global powerhouses. And now both of them make their products (or some of them) in this country. Glock is manufacturing pistols in Smyrna, Ga., and stamping them "Made in the U.S." Glock took the process one step further, becoming a true icon of American popular culture (in movies, on television, in the lyrics of our dominant popular music, Lord help us, rap). These are the issues I examine closely in GLOCK: The Rise of America's Gun.

Thanks much for your interest in the book, and I look forward to continuing the conversation!

All best,
Paul Barrett
 
#19 ·
Do you happen to cover how glock became America's gun? Like the dumping of weapons and support to LEO's and the giving of grossly overvalues for trade ins on exsisting weapons.

While it's no secret that I hate glock's I do have to applaud their marketing strategy. Fabricate a need then fill it.
 
#29 ·
Like the Ford Pinto?
 
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#22 ·
I think I'll read the book first and then comment on it...
 
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#26 · (Edited)
Provocative title for sure…

My first thought was that the M1911 Colt was America's gun... :33:

But when I look around, I DO see a lot of GLOCKS everywhere as of late... :blink:

More so than our beloved "Old Slab Sides" which I dearly love and cherish... :yup:
WHODATHUNK that this ugly gun would have come this far, this fast...DUH??? :thk:

Whether or not you're a Glock fan, the book may still prove to be an interesting read.

I like what DoctorBob said:

I think I'll read the book first and then comment on it...
 
#27 ·
I just ordered the book.

My History with Glock.

Upon retiring from the USMC in 1970 I was a 1911 fan. My first purchase on becoming retired was a Colt Satin Chrome Combat Commander in .45 ACP. This gun served as my BUG and Off duty firearm for several years. I still have that Colt.

Fast forward to 1987.

IN 1987 I was working as staff of the SOF convention in Las Vegas when the Glock Rep, I believe his name was (McNally) gave a demo of the Glock 17 and an armor's course.
When the convention was over I went to the local gun store, that rented handguns and began badgering the owner to get a Glock in so that I could test it.

Several weeks later, while at the store, a security/bodyguard for one of the large casinos came into the store and I was given a chance to shoot his Glock 17. Taking 15 rounds out of a wooden barrel of mixed 9mm hardball ammo, that was kept for use in their rental subguns, I ran the target out to 15 yards on their indoor range and commenced to shoot the Glock 17.
Bringing the target back to the shooting booth I noticed that I had shot 15 X's on a b27 silhouette target. This was with a gun that I had never shot before and with mixed hardball ammo.

I went back into the store and made a trade of two Colt combat commanders for 2 Glock 17's.

I still have one or I should say my 35 years old son now has one of the original Glock 17's I purchased. with a very low 3 digit serial number. The other one was traded for a Glock 19
Throughout the years since 1987 my carry gun has been a Glock 17, a Glock 19 and a Glock 23.
I currently shoot IDPA with a Glock 35.
My daughter, a retired San Bernardino Calif Deputy Sheriff, talked me out of the first Glock 19 I had purchased, as her retirement gift.

I have never abandoned the 1911's but they have become my range/fun guns, and are in my EDC rotation on a lesser use then the Glocks.

If a disaster hits my area the two guns that will certainly be with me are my Glock handgun and my AK-47 rifle. I know that both will function reliable with very little maintenance. Which is important when cleaning supplies may be limited.
 
#28 ·
I'll be looking into this as of now.
 
#31 ·
Well, from a defensive standpoint, you could always back it into somebody if you had too... :image035:
Napalm becomes street legal......... LOL!
 
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#33 · (Edited)
Mr. Barrett, I just heard your interview on NPR's "Fresh Air." First, I applaud you for walking into what you had to know would not be a "pro-gun" environment. Second, I commend you for being articulate, informative, and entertaining on the show. You did an excellent job describing the history and significance of the Glock, remained neutral on the political aspects, and were in my opinion a good ambassador for the lawful ownership and use of firearms (even if that was not your intent). My one and only complaint, albeit a minor one, is this:

When Fresh Air host Terry Gross began to describe the "assault weapons" ban of 1994-2004, she said several times that this law made high capacity weapons, such as the Glock, illegal. After her explanation, you agreed, saying (if I recall correctly) "You've got that exactly right." Of course, this is NOT exactly right - only the high (regular) capacity magazines were made illegal. As I say, a minor but important point.

Again, thank you for the book, for the interview, and for being articulate in your explanations of the history, importance, and influence of the Glock, and of firearms in general.

Here is a link to the interview: How The Glock Became America's Weapon Of Choice : NPR
 
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