Young Adult Non-Fiction
VG/A Blumenthal, Karen. Tommy: The Gun That Changed America. Roaring Brook, 2015. 232p.
978-1-62672-084-8. 19.99
Blumenthal brings
readers back to the 1920s and 1930s that she explored in her book, Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine and the Lawless
Years of Prohibition, to discuss the invention of the Thompson submachine
gun and its effects on the United States war on crime and gun laws. Although
the Tommy submachine gun was originally invented to be used by the military, it
was more likely to be seen in the hands of criminals. Blumenthal traces the
history of the gun, from inception to production to its use by gangsters such
as Pretty Boy Floyd and John Dillinger and to the Department of Justice and
NRA’s involvement in the creation of gun laws. It’s a fascinating look at an
iconic weapon of the 20th century and how its’ invention led to
debate over weapons that we still deal with today. Great resource for students
interested in the time period, gun history, gangsters or gun control. Book
includes many archival black & white photographs and a detailed
bibliography. Loren Spector, LAPL, Memorial Branch
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