Sniper: The Skills, the Weapons, and the Experiences

Rating:
Summary: A Good, Sound Study On Military Sniping
Review: As a sargeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, and student of military science, I found Mr. Gilbert's book to be a well-rounded history and description of the skills, tactics, and training of military snipers. The book commences with the impact of highly skilled marksmen on the outcome of the American Revolution and Civil War, and how firearms technology developed in the many decades since. The bulk of the history covers the affect of snipers in the major wars of the 20th century. There are also chapters describing marksmanship skills and how modern militaries train personnel in this specialized skill. This book will be enjoyed by military history buffs and sport-shooters in general.

Rating:
Summary: The everything you need to know about sniping book.
Review: i loved this book, it made me want to become a sniper. I learned about the brave men who became snipers and protected their countries. and also learned about the weapons used. it is a historically correct book on sniping and if you want to know anything about the world os combat sniping , read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Thorough and detailed, but not especially easy to read
Review: Mr. Gilbert's book is remarkably thorough and well-researched. It includes an amazingly thorough bibliography and a fairly extensive listing of sniper rifles in use today.

The book starts with a history of sniping, and is very fair and balanced in its coverage. Unlike some books, Mr. Gilbert doesn't fall into the "we're the good guys and everyone else is slime" bias. For each war he talks plainly about which side was doing what, and how well it worked or didn't.

I found the chapter on Ammo particularly interesting, as it clearly describes bullets and their performance characteristics, including what happens when the hit something.

I take issue with some reviewers who suggest that this book teaches you about sniping. Although someone wanting to learn to be a sniper could potentially gain certain knowledge from this book, and although it is textbook-like in its tone, it is far from being some sort of how-to book. Someone who truly wanted "how to" specifics would be better off with any one of several books that are specifically written as instruction manuals.

I also take issue with the characterization of this book as an exciting or dramatic read. It is definitely not a page-turner. It describes the action in many wars and battles, but does not take you there with the immediacy of a book like "One Shot, One Kill."

Again, I find myself describing it as being like a textbook. Even though it goes into a lot of detail in many places, it also takes in broad sweeps of history. The best way I can think of to describe it is to say that, in this book, stories about individuals and their actions are brought in as secondary examples to illustrate the author's broader statements or claims. Other books tend to leave off most of the context and focus almost totally on the individuals and some of the actions they were involved in.

This books aims (no pun intended) to be very complete, while others aim to be entertaining ("entertaining" is not the best word to use to describe a book about shooting others, but you get the idea).

Don't get me wrong, though. It IS well-written, mind you! It is clear and factual, organized cleanly, and reasonably readable.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone who is seriously into military books or sniping, or even someone who is a student of history, as sniping is an area that is rarely, if ever, even mentioned despite the significant impact it has had in almost all wars or military actions. If you are heavily interested in any of these areas, then you definitely should buy this book. You will enjoy it and appreciate the quality and thoroughness of the book. And you will almost surely learn a lot. Even though I struggled to get through some of the chapters, I was engrossed by other chapters, such as the one on Ammo.

However, if you're not particularly hard-core about the topic, you will probably not be drawn into it and may not even get through more than a couple of chapters before giving up.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone who is interested in sniping
Review: This book provides a broad view about sniping in history and today. The author takes the readers through the historical accounts of snipers in the battlefield since 18 century, as well as the basic principles evolved throughout these experiences.

Unlike most of the books on this topic published in America, this British writer does not limit himself to American's view. In stead, he enumerates different views regarding sniping from both sides in a armed conflict. The material about the sniping in the East Front of WWII is probably the most valuable ones in this book.

This is a must read for anyone who is intrested in sniper and sniping.

Rating:
Summary: Sniping 101
Review: This book was rather disturbing in its true-to-life explination of the ways and workings of the standard Military sniper. Starting with an indepth history of sniping and its techniques, technoligy, and traditions, it leads you into a full clarification of the dynamics and requirements of being a successful sniper. I'd fear what could happen if this book was ever read by an unstable teen. Regardless, however, Gilbert relays the sincere reality of a sniper's mission, placing you behind the scope, anticipating the kill. A definate buy in my list, if you're a military buff.

Rating:
Summary: Bravo
Review: This should be required reading in all public and private schools in the "west". A great read with hard facts to boot. How could you not love it. The characters are so real and close you could reach out and touch them. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more!

Rating:
Summary: Sniper
Review: This was a very informative book with lots of good information on the history of sniping. It may drag on at times and seem kind of slow, but overall it is very well written and you can tell the author knows quite a bit about this subject. It gives accounts from all the wars starting at the Revolutionary war to Iraq. It also has information on the evolution of the firearm from its invention to the present. Wound ballistics, trajectory, and bullet shape are all other things that you will learn about. This book is great, and I highly recommend it.