I had high hopes for this book after reading the reviews, but having just received it and read it (or as much of it as I could bear), I have to say, if you're brand new to guns and only know what you've read in the instruction manual, this book may be for you. Despite the fact that there are few photographs, the language is bland and uninteresting, many of the facts and recommendations wrong and having inadequate information, still, you may find something useful in it if you can stay awake. Unfortunately, the cover is the most interesting thing about the book and, speaking of instruction manuals, the book reads like a giant one, itself.

There are numerous technical errors in the book, like referring to the S&W 66 as a .38 Spc. revolver (it's really a .357); bad advice, like recommending the Beretta .32 ACP Tomcat as reliable and dependable (it really has a congenitive problem with frame cracking), and finally, inadequate information (about one and three-quarters page on Smith & Wesson). It also doesn't have a decent breakdown of the various calibers and loads that are effective in home and concealed self defense.

It does describe what a revolver is, and how it's different from an automatic, how a centerfire is different from a rimfire, and safety tips...that sort of thing. The photos that do appear are tiny and many times, indistinct. No personal stories are included and, as I said, the text is dry and uninteresting. It might be a good idea to check out the "Look inside" feature.

All in all, this is the worst book in a collection of many other books, some better than others. My recommendation is to shop around for something better.

This is a comprehensive and informative reference guide to the basics of all things related to handguns. It's a must-read for anyone new to shooting or anyone considering purchasing a firearm. However, advanced shooters can still gain from it. After owning it for over a year I still refer back to this book occasionally and it's worthy of keeping in my home library.

I can't even count how many books on firearms and self defense I have read yet this one is one of the best books I have ever picked up. This book covered both lethal and non lethal self defense and the author did not act macho or a know it all. If you are thinking about purchasing a firearm or even if you already own a firearm you must read this book. Instructions are given on how to properly purchase a firearm and the reader is told not to let a pushy gun clerk try to sell you just any gun. I also like how they recommended only dependable name brand products and reiterated to stay away from junk guns.

I found the book to be very comprehensive for the description and function of handguns. It encompasses the technical specifics of handguns and explains the responcibilites for anyone who owns a handgun or is planning on purchasing one in the future. The contents of the book are concise and too the point. This is definitely a book that should be included in every gun owner and enthusiast's library.

This is a good book to obtain if you are buying a handgun for the first time. It gives you an overview of all of the options and rational for choosing a handgun to fit your needs and goals. It helps you buy the right gun the first time, and you can,t take the gun back once you have purchased it.

I have met Bruce Eimer and thanked him for his book. His work is the standard, period. Start with this book then read David Kenik's book Armed Response and finish with On Combat by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman.
No book can replace training...... Find great training (reality based) from people like Clint Smith and Gabe Suarez and keep training from there.

I suppose it lives up to its title but, even for a novice like me, I found better information by just searching the internet.

Like most books on the firearms, this one spends a lot of time on self-defense issues. I wasn't particularly interested in that topic but the book does offer a lot on safety, how to clean and maintain your firearms, and many of the issues relating to owning a firearm. The book touches on legal issues, scenerios to be aware of, and of course self-defense and practical concerns. A good basic book for beginner to intermediate skill levels, experts should probably look elsewhere.

Very Comprehensive book.
It covers many aspects of owning a handgun, from actually using & maintaining one to some important aspects of what is allowed under the law.
I only wish the author included a few more diagrams to explain some basic concepts such as the difference in shape & sizes of various bullets and also when he described certain parts of a handgun.
All in all a 5 star book.

I recently wrote a novel in which my heroine starts out completely
ignorant of guns and quickly develops a working knowledge. Well, the completely ignorant part was easy for me-I used a .22 for plinking when
I was a kid and that's it.
The 'getting knowledgeable' part was harder, but only a little. An armful of magazines, this book and two others and my heroine Paula was a regular ballistician. Seriously, this is well organized and loaded with the kind of detail that a real or fictional gun owner would need.

Lynn Hoffman, author of the essential novel bang BANG: A Novel

I highly reccomend this book. I knew very little about handguns, when I bought this book. This book takes you through everything you need to know when you don't know anything about guns. From selecting a self defense handgun to handling, ammunition, shooting, holsters, Psychological factors, and more.

I believe this is the best book out there for someone just starting out.