TIME-LIFE History of the Rifle: The Weapon That Changed the World

TIME LIFE History of the Rifle starts out with a bang, beginning with the discovery of the explosive combination of charcoal, potassium nitrate and sulfur. From 10th Century China to the United States, this all-new special edition details the evolution of the weapon including innovative modifications such as improved ignition devices. Although the innovation of the rifle improved efficiency and efficacy, the smaller, sleeker, and more sophisticated model of the rifle posed a threat for increased crime and conflict. Traverse the Old World, the Civil War, and the Wild West and explore how the evolution of this firearm changed warfare, society, and history forever.