WHAT'S IN THE NAMES OF ANTIQUE WEAPONS

by Peter Limburg ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 14, 1973

Limburg himself is most interested in the etymology of grapeshot, halberd and blunderbuss, but most of his audience will be drawn to the wide-ranging discussions of how matchlocks work, the differences between muskets and rifles, changing styles in armor and helmets and the lore of swords. Arranged alphabetically in two sections (firearms and non-firearms), these short essays are packed with detail -- trivial and otherwise -- on the use, evolution and sociology of ancient weapons. Limburg's concise, good-humored style and Plummer's informal black and white line drawings will catch the attention of browsers, and readers who merely wanted to look up assegai or battle-ax for a school assignment may find themselves catapulted right on through trigger and wheel-lock.

Pub Date: Nov. 14, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 160

Publisher: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION