Armed and Dangerous: A Writer’s Guide to Weapons

Michael Newton, Writer’s Digest Books, 1990, ISBN 089879370X , 186 pages, $15.99 paperback

The title of this book is a misnomer. First, the book is exclusively about firearms, not weapons in general. But at least the cover drawing of a revolver gives a clue about its true focus. Nothing warns the reader that the book really isn’t much of a writer’s guide either.

Newton does spend six pages mocking writers for using inaccurate firearm information in their novels. However, the presentation of his material is so dry, and assumes a level of competence so high, that the book would be difficult reading for anyone but a gun buff. The writer who isn’t already knowledgeable about firearms will be confused by Newton’s casual use of technical terms of art, and the writer who is already a firearm's expert doesn’t need this book.

Newton doesn’t explain how a gun actually works, nor does he identify its parts for the beginner. Illustrations that would have been useful before delving into 168 pages of technical jargon are buried in an appendix at the end.

While it’s true that the book contains excellent technical information and amusing anecdotes, the presentation of the information makes it inaccessible to the average writer. You can’t find the quick and dirty information you need by skimming because the details are embedded into the paragraphs. Newton’s book is an interesting and informative read, but it’s not a handy guide for a writer.

Reviewed by: Stephanie Dray, © 2001 Stephanie Dray, All Rights Reserved. Stephanie Dray is a lawyer-turned-freelance writer. She also runs an Internet Game at www.legendary.org/~firan based on her novel-in-progress, Firan Heroes.