Spanish Best: The Fine Shotguns of Spain

Rating:
Summary: Too many politics and not so many shotguns
Review: I miss more information about the core topic: the Spanish fine shotguns. There are only a few pages with shotgun's pictures, which is a great way to see the excellent quality of the Spanish shotguns. I miss more information related to the different models manufactured in Spain (luxury O/U do not appear at all and they have been sold to Royal Houses around the world...). There is also an extensive description (biased in my opinion) of the history of the basques which adds little interest to the main topic: the Spanish shotguns. The best of all is that the author has had the courage to show internationally the outstanding quality of our guns and to fight against the black legend about the Spanish steels.

Rating:
Summary: More than a book about great guns
Review: Terry Wieland's book is a thoughtful and thorough analysis of the Spanish gunmaking trade. Spanish guns enjoy a spotty reputation in North America and this book helps consumers determine between the quality Spanish guns and the rest. It is also reviews the history of the Basque people and is an invaluable reference should one entertain the idea of going to Spain to order a shotgun. I have visited Eibar and toured the gunmakers and having a copy of this book made the trip much more enjoyable. In some respects, Spanish Best is also a good travel book because Wieland describes the local customs and notes interesting places to visit (San Sebastian and Guernika). Having been to Eibar, I can attest that his descriptions of the gun makers, local people, the Hotel Arrate and the restaurant Chalcha are impressively accurate. I understand that a second edition is in the works and I look forward to it with great anticipation.