The Essential M1 Garand: A Practical and Historical Guide for Shooters and Collectors

Excellent.

A good overview, and reasonably priced compared to some books on the subject.

The author is unquestionably very knowledgeable and experienced on the topic. The information is very detailed, and well supported by photographs and illustrations. However the excellent information regarding the development, production variations, strengths, weakness and augmentations of the M1 are, unfortunately, detracted by the authors ongoing editorial asides regarding his own accomplishments and experiences in modifying and shooting the rifle. In this respect the book often reads like an autobiography. I found these regular vignettes, however edifying, to be annoyingly disruptive to the flow of the text. The book is well illustrated, but again, they typically are not alluded to in the text but instead have their own stand-alone notations. I found it better to read them serially than to, again, disrupt reading the text.

Purchased this book for my fathers 75th birthday present. He really enjoys it. Very much a complete work on the M-1. Has all the information needed to identify all the parts and mods. How to read the serial numbers. Great book.

As an M-1 rifle owner, I purchased this book to learn more about this classic rifle. I think it does accomplish providing a lot of detail but the challenge I have with the book is the writing and organization of the book. Not certain if the writer used an editor to help him before submitting the manuscript. A lot of topics covered but not a particularly easy read.