Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture by Michael Bellesiles (ISBN 0375701982)
How and when did Americans develop their obsession with firearms? In this groundbreaking and controversial book, historian Michael Bellesiles challenges the traditional narrative of the United States as a nation built on widespread gun ownership.
Drawing on meticulous archival research, Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture argues that firearms were far less common in colonial and early American life than often believed. Bellesiles contends that the myth of an armed citizenry was constructed later, shaping today’s cultural and political debates around the Second Amendment.
Key Features:
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Author: Michael A. Bellesiles
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ISBN: 0375701982
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Publisher: Knopf (2000)
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Format: Hardcover
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Category: U.S. history, gun culture, Second Amendment studies
Why Read This Book?
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A provocative re-examination of the origins of America’s gun identity
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Winner of the Bancroft Prize (later rescinded, sparking widespread debate)
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Essential for students, scholars, and readers exploring American history, law, and culture
This used copy of Arming America is perfect for researchers, collectors, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how myths about guns have shaped America’s past and present.
