Venters (senior editor, Shooting Sportsman magazine) employs numerous photographs and detailed illustrations in this technical and historical study of traditional artisan shotgun construction as preserved by craftsmen in Britain, parts of continental Europe, and the United States. The integration of modern engineering with traditional techniques is a major theme as the author presents chapters on elements of gun craft, particular guns and their makers, rules of proof and proof masters, and gun restoration. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)