Great thread Adam, nice idea and good collection.
I have many gun related books, most straight firearm and some military history. I literally just packed up about 70 books carefully in boxes as I am painting the library/study (actually a basement bedroom, lol!). Upon completion my wife is eager to replace my large and numerous but cheesy bookshelves with a full wall shelving unit she's been studying right now.
To give you an example, here's what's readily availalbe on the night stand.
Combat Handgunnery, All New 4th Edition, Chuck Taylor
In The Gravest Extreme, The Role of Firearm in Personal Protection, Massad Ayoob.
These titles, like the protection in Ayoob's great book, are very personal are good for the nightstand.
For the coffee table/visiting firearm buddies, discussion pieces, I'd recommend, a couple,
Military Small Arms of the 20th Century, 7th Edition, Hogg/Weeks
The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers, Hartink
O'Connor, not withstanding, I'd argue that one of the very best of the classic books on firearms ever written is titled Survival Guns by Mel Tappan. A must read precursor in considering a defense/preparedness firearm. The material is dated, as you won't find the newly released SIG P220 in there, but Tappan was a huge proponent of the .45 ACP and 1911 style pistols.
I usually read Gun Digest Annual books by checking them out from the library, which is a good beginner resource.
