Reviews for Through the Crosshairs: A History of Snipers

The average rating for Through the Crosshairs: A History of Snipers based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-05-13 00:00:00 James Reeve This book is billed as "A History Of Snipers" and that's what it is- it's certainly not THE history of Snipers. Instead, Andy Dougan, the author, sort of follows his fancy around the historical worlds of sniping, sharpshooting, terrorist shooting, mass shootings and serial shooters, spinning a good yarn here and there- but not really tracing the history. He's not a bad writer, and his interests are well described, but serious students of the art and science of sniping should look elsewhere. On the other hand, for the General interest reader with only a passing interest in Military History and Sniper lore, this might be just the thing. He starts with the Bows of the Ancient Era, and then the better aimed Cross Bow. After the smoothbore musket that required mass fire , the first rifled barrels come along to allow aimed fire beyond 200 yards. Dougan talks about the rise of the Light Infantryman- and then the British and German Rifleman/Jagers of the Napoleonic Wars. The American Civil War/Italian Independence Wars/Austro-Prussian War era brings more rifling- and breechloading so that we begin so see real modern sharpshooting and sniping. He has fun with the American Berdan, the Boers of South Africa - and then World War One and real modern sniping. After that he really begins to pick and choose- leaving linear history and telling cool stories he finds. I enjoyed the ride- but would have preferred more structure and definition. However, this might be just the Smorgasbord approach the general reader likes, and I did enjoy the read. Dougan keeps it light , with few adult themes and little frank violence, so this is probably fine for a Junior reader over ten years. For the Gamer/Modeller/military Enthusiast, a good read- but not really useful. There are no maps or diagrams, just a few pictures. There's not enough meat to base scenarios or dioramas, not enough actual history for the Enthusiast. But it's a good lighter read- and maybe a good book to explain some war stuff to your less historical game oriented friends. A qualified rec- but a good book for the general reader...

Review # 2 was written on 2013-06-25 00:00:00 Marvin Stehr This book changed my concept of wargaming, in favor of more close actions in the attack.