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The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series assault rifles (Weapon) Paperback – Illustrated, April 19, 2011

by Gordon L. Rottman (Author), Johnny Shumate (Illustrator), Alan Gilliland (Illustrator)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 114 ratings
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The Kalashnikov AK-47 is the most ubiquitous assault rifle in the world, with more AK-47s and its variants in use than any other individual small arm. Created by Senior Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov, and first adopted by the USSR soon after World War II (1939-1945), its production continues to this day, with an estimated 75 million produced worldwide. It is the longest serving post-World War II military weapon and its ease of use, durability and low production costs ensure that its use will continue for generations to come.

This book takes a look at the complete history of the weapon, discussing its design, development, and usage, taking its story from the great armies of the Soviet Union to the insurgents and criminal gangs that often employ the weapon today.

Previous page
  1. Part of series
    Weapon
  2. Print length
    80 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Osprey Publishing
  5. Publication date
    April 19, 2011
  6. Dimensions
    7.2 x 1 x 9.7 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1849084610
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1849084611
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

Weapon Series

Battlescenes

Cutaway Diagrams

Archival Photography

Full colour battlescenes

Beautifully illustrated battlescenes are included to bring the narrative of the conflict to life.

Cutaway diagrams

Specially commissioned full colour illustrations are included alongside labels and comprehensive captions to give a full breakdown of the weaponry used on the battlefield.

Photographs

Each volume features a wide range of photographs, which provide unparalleled detail on the weaponry used by the combatants.

Weapon Series Titles

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas.

Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator living in Nashville, Tennessee. He began his career in 1987 after graduating from Austin Peay State University. Most of his work is rendered in Adobe Photoshop using a Cintiq monitor. His greatest influences are Angus McBride, Don Troiani, and Édouard Detaille.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Osprey Publishing; Illustrated edition (April 19, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1849084610
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1849084611
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.2 x 1 x 9.7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 114 ratings

About the author

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Gordon L. Rottman

Gordon L. Rottman

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Best-selling author of the "Ride" series, including "The Hardest Ride," "Ride Harder," and "Marta's Ride," Gordon Rottman lives in Cypress, Texas. He served in the Army for 26 years including as a Green Beret in Vietnam and in the paratroopers, a long-range reconnaissance patrol unit, and military intelligence assignments. As a civilian contractor he wrote war games for Green Berets for 11 years. He’s written over 130 military history books and novels. The USA Today bestselling and Amazon Number 1 selling Western, "The Hardest Ride," garnered the:

Western Fictioneer's Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel

Western Writer's of America Best Traditional Western Novel

Western Fictioneer's Peacemaker Award for Best First Western Novel Finalist

The fourth book in the series "Marta's Daughter" is due out in 2018.

"History does not have to be boring."

What readers have to say about Rottman’s books:

5 out of 5 stars Best Western I’ve read since Lonesome Dove

Bycalman kurtzmanon December 5, 2017

5.0 out of 5 stars Move over Louis L'Amour!

ByAmazon Customeron December 5, 2017

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down

ByJohanna Bachtelon December 4, 2017

5.0 out of 5 stars Rottman is one of America's finest western writers

June 15, 2017

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-stopping new western from one of the best

November 29, 2017

Format: Kindle Edition

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
114 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Stephen P. Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars This Osprey Weapon book by Gordon L. Rottman provides a very interesting history of the AK 47 development, use, and its impact.
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
The AK-47 rifle was developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov to become one of the world's most reliable and widely used weapon. This volume by Gordon L. Rottman provides a very interesting history of development, use of the weapon and its impact. The AK and its variants ranged from firing 7.62 mm to 5.45 mm ammunition in curved magazines generally with 30 rounds. Favored by communist block armies after WWII and terrorists everywhere the AK became the stuff of legend.
I had a number of opportunities to train with afire this weapon during OPFOR training in the 1970's and 1980's. I became familiar with this weapons and was thankful that this volume was produced.
I have over 500 Osprey titles and enjoy reading and benefit from the information contained in the volumes.
8 people found this helpful
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Long Nguyen
5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest rifle ever!
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2012
Verified Purchase
Another well written book by Gordon Rottman. Overall good history and developments of AK-47 over it long service life.

One little complaint. These is a illustration of three Russian soldiers engaging in what look like a firefight, but all three weapons are on safe! The one with the RPK shouldn't be ever to fired his weapon, but there spent shells ejecting out of it!
7 people found this helpful
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matt8386
4.0 out of 5 stars Small Arms Weapon of Mass Destruction
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2011
Verified Purchase
Author Gordon Rottman spent a lot of years in the in the US Special Forces, much of that during Vietnam, so he has been on the receiving end of the AK-47. He's also written over a hundred different books about the military. I mention that because this guy has credibility.

For those who have never heard of the AK-47, it's the ubiquitous assault rifle used in the third world countries. Original design began in WW2, selected in 1947 by the Soviets to become the new weapon of choice for their Army. Kalashnikov's design was influenced to a degree by German assault weapons, but the AK-47 was more rugged, reliable and cheaper to produce. These traits would become the hallmarks of this rifle from 1947 to the present.

Rottman explains how the bullet size and diameter are important considerations, the pro's and con's of each AK design and builds up to the inevitable comparison between the M-16. The first few pages are very technical, describing the ammo sizes, calibers of weapons and the like, but it does pick up later.

Things I liked - data tables - You can see how the AK-47 differs from the AK-47's or StG44. The 3-D color cutaway was nice; there are some very dramatic color photos of the weapon or kids using them. The author addresses how the proliferations of so many of these AK-47 and AK-74 have influenced the third world creating a "Kalashinkov Culture".

One thing I wish was different - I have fired AK-47's, but would have liked to see one field stripped here. There is one small photo showing a disassembled AK, but its not very helpful Would have preferred one less photo of an insurgent with an AK in exchange for an additional color plate showing step by step how to load the weapon (Yes, it's in the text, but I would have liked to have seen it as well).

If you already own an AK, then this book is probably not for you. If you have lots of technical data on the AK, then there are probably a lot of things you could disagree with the author about. I Iiked the sections when the author discussed hitting power vs. accuracy, range vs. volume of fire, durability vs. the M-16. Rottman concludes that there is no one perfect assault rifle that fits every need for every type of battle or environment, but in the end, it does seem that this affordable mass produced (80 million made vs. the 8 million M-16's) Rottman makes a convincing case as to which weapon is better. A good book, a little history, a little insight, probably not needed for serious collectors or gun enthusiasts .
24 people found this helpful
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Motown
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrorists Weapon of Choice
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2015
Verified Purchase
Like all Osprey titles, this one is informative and well illustrated but concise. Highly recommended for military buffs or those with an interest in weapons. This book describes the weapon in detail, traces it development during the Soviet era, and it proliferation as the rifle used throughout the communist and third worlds.
4 people found this helpful
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jb3amz
5.0 out of 5 stars Good history of the most widely used wapon in the ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
Good history of the most widely used wapon in the world. After reading you will come away realizing that there is not just one AK47, but numerous variants made all over the world.
2 people found this helpful
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Dave Kirsebom
5.0 out of 5 stars The AK-47:Kalashnikov-series assault rifles(Weapon)
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2013
Verified Purchase
I would highly recommend this book to anybody with a interest in AK47s. The weapon has quite a history and after reading it I new I had to have one, so I went out and bought one.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars EDITED - Good for reference...and more.
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2014
Verified Purchase
It is a good book but I think I expected a little more. I still need to read through it again; I'm sure there is more info available that I've not yet seen. Used in conjunction with other reference books I think it would be a worthwhile purchase.

EDIT:
After looking through this book again, and again, I find that there is more in it than I originally thought. Lot's of pictures, good text. Good information. I will comment on one thing though. The illustration on pages 54-55 depicts a soldier firing his weapon...but the safety lever is in the on position. Oops.

I still recommend the book and added a 'star' to my rating.

B.
8 people found this helpful
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polockjock
5.0 out of 5 stars A great summary on the history of one of the most ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2015
Verified Purchase
A great summary on the history of one of the most significant weapons of all times. A must-have for anyone with an interest in the AK.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Gio
5.0 out of 5 stars Belle illustrazioni
Reviewed in Italy on June 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
Buon libro, necessita di un aggiornamento
One person found this helpful
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Gigant
5.0 out of 5 stars Referenz für kleinen Preis
Reviewed in Germany on August 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
Für den kleinen Preis eine absolute Kaufempfehlung.
Beinhaltet Geschichte, Gegenwart und Zukunft eines der besten Sturmgewehre der Welt. Es wird auch ein Blick auf die Weiterentwicklung geworfen.
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Bill Dunsmore
5.0 out of 5 stars A very fine book
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
As a Canadian this is probably as I am going to get to a real AK47. The author and illustrator have done a fine job of explaining the history, rational and functioning of this great weapon. I loved every bit of it, including the authors personal comments. I couldn't put it down. Wow!
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Sauveterre
4.0 out of 5 stars AK 47
Reviewed in France on May 8, 2015
Verified Purchase
Voici un ouvrage complet, même su écrit en anglais sur ce fusil mythique qui, depuis plus de 60 ans se trouve sur tous les champs de bataille du monde entre des mains diverses (surtout aujourd'hui, entre les mains de terroristes).
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars a well researched book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
a present to myself, on this iconic weapon
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