The Hidden History of Guns and the Second Amendment

The Thom Hartmann Hidden History Series

By: Thom Hartmann

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Really twisted the truth

Not a balanced version of the facts, very left wing point of view. Trying to compare the US with other non democratic countries is pointless.

Too Biased

It seems to me that the author has had a bad experience from a friend who had a gun and no will to live. This pain has to go somewhere so he blames the gun. I will say I quit reading this book early.
Thankfully it was a free credit on Amazon.

Socialism

it was obvious he is a socialist & against freedom and just wants to find ways to take away our firearms

Deceptive

The gun debate is not so black and white but this book tries to make it seem that easy. It takes the low road to call out all gun owners white nationalists.

Tons of fallacies

If you are going to write a “history” book, at least get your facts straight

Strong words, weak arguments

This is a truly awful book. Instead of shedding the light of reason on one of the most vital issues facing America today, it spews extreme opinions and unsubstantiated arguments that have no place in a serious conversation. The hyperbolic rhetoric and loose logic that permeate this book can only be described as left wing analogues of the Fox News toolkit. It seems designed to further fan the fires of polarization. What this can possibly achieve, beyond cathartic release for the author, is beyond me.

Please note that I say this as someone who believes that the Republican party has been using racism to win elections since Nixon's Southern Strategy, that the second amendment has been perverted to serve the interests of gun manufacturers, and that stricter gun control akin to that in virtually every other country in the world is a no brainer. What I don't believe in is sloppy reasoning and manipulative statements in service of an argument, even one in which I believe. Saying, for example, that all police departments are descended from slave patrols is imprecise, inflammatory and without anything approaching rigorous substantiation. This book is rife with such opinions presented as facts. As such, I believe it harms the cause it seeks to serve. We need measured thinking, not more partisan excess, to tackle an issue as deeply rooted and complex as guns.

There are some actual ideas -- on slavery, the war on drugs, Native American genocide, Supreme Court decisions and other aspects of history -- lurking behind all the rhetorical fire bombs. However, as best I can tell, these are from other, more thoughtful, authors such as E.J. Dionne and Michelle Alexander. A reader would be well advised to seek out these primary references and piece together their own understanding of the gun violence issue. Listening to Thom Hartmann, Rush Limbaugh and all the other screaming heads out there won't lead to a sensible point of view.