Book recommendations for a kid

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Armymutt

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My buddy's son is having his bar mitzva in March. He is really into WWI and WWII rifles - loves to shoot mine. He's also a walking encyclopedia and loves to get into the minutia of a given weapon. I was thinking about getting him some books one different rifles. Any recommendations for books that go into great detail?
 
Scott Duff's "The M-1 Garand, WW II" is an incredibly detailed book. It describes every part in great detail. It is also a good history of the M-1 and Garand himself. If the Kid loves minutia he will salivate for a month over this book.
 
Look at forgotten weapons YouTube channel and search “book”. He’s done some thorough reviews.
He also recently published “chassepot to FAMAS” which is apparently a detailed history of military French rifles.

look at the vickers guide books also
 
I know it's not what you're asking for, but I bet your son would enjoy reading The Old Man And The Boy by Rpbert Ruarke. It had a huge impact on me as a kid.

It's about hunting, fishing, old men and growing up.
 
I know it's not what you're asking for, but I bet your son would enjoy reading The Old Man And The Boy by Rpbert Ruarke. It had a huge impact on me as a kid.

It's about hunting, fishing, old men and growing up.

Agree. Most anything by Robert Ruark. “The Horn Of The Hunter”, “Use Enough Gun”, “The Old Man’s Boy Grows Older.” Of course, you need to read them if you have not already. Everyone does.

Then Jack O’Connor, Elmer Keith, Stephen Ambrose’s “Band Of Brothers “.

What a lucky young man to have our guidance!

:thumbup:
 
Ian V Hogg's, Guns and How they Work. Not just WWII, but many are in there, and it provides an excellent primer on various actions.

If he's into Cold War weapons, Peter G. Kokalis' Weapons Tests and Evaluations will satisfy any gun geek's quest for weapon minutae.
 
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Deanimator
I got my copy between 7th and 8th grades in the '60s. It really enhanced my visit to the Patton Museum.

Unfortunately it's out of print and expensive.

Okay then maybe Military Small Arms of the 20th Century by Ian Hogg and John Weeks. Can get it new from Amazon for $21.95.
 
I know it's not what you're asking for, but I bet your son would enjoy reading The Old Man And The Boy by Rpbert Ruarke. It had a huge impact on me as a kid.

It's about hunting, fishing, old men and growing up.
Holy cow! I was going to mention Ruark's books before I read through the thread and saw your post. Yes -- I read several of his books as a boy, when I was about twelve to fifteen years old, what an impact they had on me! especially his great one, Something of Value and of course, Horn of the Hunter, one of the best ever adventure stories of an African safari. Horn of the Hunter was the book that really, really made me want to go to Africa.
 
Deanimator

Sorry I missed that. I have both a First Edition and a Fifth edition of Military Small Arms of the 20th Century; a great book and an excellent reference work on the subject.

I also have another book, Modern Small Arms by Major Frederick Myatt, MC, that while not as extensive in terms of detailed information, has excellent color plates of the weapons and a brief description about them. Available new from Amazon for $24.98.
 
Excellent collectors reference but WAY too specific and deep for this purpose.
What makes you think you can determine what the boy can handle or is interested in? I was reading WWII fighter technical manuals at his age. Maybe let HIM decide what he likes? Especially when the request from the OP was
He's also a walking encyclopedia and loves to get into the minutia of a given weapon.
and


goes into great detail
 
Deanimator

Sorry I missed that. I have both a First Edition and a Fifth edition of Military Small Arms of the 20th Century; a great book and an excellent reference work on the subject.

I also have another book, Modern Small Arms by Major Frederick Myatt, MC, that while not as extensive in terms of detailed information, has excellent color plates of the weapons and a brief description about them. Available new from Amazon for $24.98.

I've got two or three editions of "Small Arms of the World". I got my first in grammar school in the '60s. Most other references don't include field stripping instructions.
 
Deanimator
I've got two or three editions of "Small Arms of the World". I got my first in grammar school in the '60s. Most other references don't include field stripping instructions.

I seem to recall using those field stripping instructions to take my Astra Model 600 apart for the first time! Extremely helpful to have with that particular gun!
 
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