The Hidden History of Guns and the Second Amendment

The Thom Hartmann Hidden History Series

By: Thom Hartmann

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Thom Hartmann, the most popular progressive radio host in America and a New York Times best-selling author, looks at the real history of guns in America and what we can do to limit both their lethal impact and the power of the gun lobby.

Taking his typically in-depth, historically-informed view, Thom Hartmann examines the brutal role guns have played in American history, from the genocide of the Native Americans to the enforcement of slavery (Slave Patrols are in fact the Second Amendment’s “well-regulated militias”) and the racist post-Civil War social order. He shows how the NRA and conservative Supreme Court justices used specious logic to invent a virtually unlimited individual right to own guns, which has enabled the ever-growing number of mass shootings in the United States. But Hartmann also identifies a handful of powerful, commonsense solutions that would break the power of the gun lobby and restore the understanding of the Second Amendment that the Framers of the Constitution intended. This is the kind of brief, brilliant analysis for which Hartmann is justly renowned.

©2019 Thom Hartmann (P)2019 Thom Hartmann

Interesting

I thought it was very informative. I had no idea the early history of 2nd amendment. I can’t wait to listen to the next book in the series.

The Hidden History of Guns

Outstanding work culminating decades of research and fact finding. He provides a viable roadmap for corrective action.

The truth will....

The truth will set you free, piss you off, or both. Unless you don't like facts... 🤷🏽‍♂️. Thank you again Thom.

Extremely biased to be called "The" Hidden History

Instead of being called "The Hidden History," it would be more accurately titled "Here is my opinion, and here are events and quotes that support it."

Like many who write "histories," the facts and incidents can be very misleading when other sides aren't presented. Instead, the author has clearly started with the premise, "Guns are bad," and goes from there. In many more words than are written here, the author goes through this book illustrating that guns have been used to propagate slavery, genocide, racism, and have been the deadly tools of the suicidal and mentally troubled. This is true, but they have also been used to fight against many of these things, which is conveniently not addressed.

In thinly-veiled insinuation, the author then seems to suggest that unless you are suicidal, mentally troubled, racist, or a mass-murderer, you don't need guns. In a few places, it even seems to suggest that those who own or advocate for guns are perpetuating those ideas, even if it's through unintentional ignorance.

However, would I suggest this book? Yes. Why would I, after railing about it's single minded perspective? Because it is a well laid out view of that perspective, and as I believe in presenting multiple sides of an issue, I feel that someone would gain a good view of that perspectivefrom thisbook. I would only remind readers (or listeners) that this book is not is any way an objective truth on the subject.

The Truth

Well researched and Thom brilliantly contextualizes his observations clearly and without apparent bias. At least form my perspective.