"An acclaimed historian explodes the myth about the 'special relationship' between Americans and their guns, revealing that savvy 19th century businessmen--not gun lovers--created American gun culture"-- Provided by publisher.

Introduction: "The art and mystery of a gunsmith" -- The American system -- The Crystal Palace -- "Scattering our guns" -- "More wonderful than practical" -- Model 1866 -- "Gun men" and the "Oriental lecturer" -- "Spirit guns" -- "The unhallowed trade" -- The "moral effect" of a Winchester -- Balancing the ledger -- Summer land -- The gun industry's visible hand -- Learning to love the gun -- Mystery house -- "Grotesque, yet magnificent" -- Overbuilding -- The soul of the "gun crank" -- King of Infinite Space -- The West that won the gun -- "Merchants of death" -- Epilogue.