‘The Illustrated History of Weaponry’ by Chuck Wills.

Weapons throughout history have been the driving force between winning and losing, survival, protection, status, and technological evolution.

The Illustrated History of Weaponry is a comprehensive book covering weapons

used from prehistoric and Ancient times, weapons that changed the playing field in warfare, arms used to fight revolutions, era weapons spanning from the times of Napoleon to 1914, and armaments used in World War 1 and World War II and beyond.

For writers or anyone interested in history and the aspects that were instrumental in changing history, I highly recommend this book as a reference.

More than 600 images detailing the range of weapons that spanned the globe over 3,500 years ago. An eclectic look at some of the surprising ways historical figures used and produced the deadly instruments.

From Persian scimitars owned by Catherine the Great, an elaborate sword gifted to Napoleon, travelling pistols owned by American presidents, and an infamous Heinrich Himmler rifle.

Weapons of Espionage, special interest, and weapons treasured by connoisseurs. 

This book gives a fascinating account of the people, places and eras that were influential to the development of weapons.

Detailed sections of the vital weapons used in the Hundred Year War, the Crusades, Naval Weapons, American Civil War, and Trench Warfare. 

Coupled with Chuck Wills expertise on these weapons gives useful insights to what changed world events, and how weapons played a vital role.

Spanning the fascinating cultures like Japanese katana, South African spears used by Zulu warriors, Indian claw daggers, musket, ‘pallask’ swords that could penetrate chain-mail armor, the ‘patu’ war club of the Maori people, saber, ‘tanto’ Japanese dagger, and the Zweihänder — the longest sword of the European Renaissance.

You will learn how the weapons changed the ways people fought, torture instruments utilized to extract confessions, and influential quotes throughout history that clarify every country’s need to fight.