Kalashnikov, The Arms and the Man by Edward Ezell - very technical, more historical, but covers all types (*********)
The AK-47 and AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifles and their Variants by Joe Poyer - excellent, a few minor technical mistakes (*********)
The Gun Digest Book of The AK-47 and SKS by Patrick Sweeney - okay (******)
AK-47 by Duncan Long - a little on the cheap side (*****)
Kalasnikov by John Walter - heavily illustrated, not much on detail (*****)
Guns & Ammo Complete Book of the AK-47 - a magazine available right now and well worth the money (*******)

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Good assessment, but I'll disagree with you on the last item on your list.  

While I think the G&A publication is entertaining to read for the AK owner, I’m not sure how much value it brings to the table; I can’t remember actually learning anything when I read it (read a friends copy, opted not to buy it for myself).  It seems to be written by those who really don’t care for the AK (something that literally every writer felt compelled to mention), and they make a lot of excuses for the AK.  Hey, nothing wrong with pointing out weaknesses, but does EVERYONE have to mention that it’s not a benchrest rifle?  Kind of an oversight by the editor.  Also, if accuracy is SUCH an issue, wouldn’t you want to put together an article on exactly how inaccurate the AK is?  Try different AK’s and different ammunition, including handloads??

And everyone felt compelled to mention that the AK is difficult to add optics to, which is completely untrue.  It’s more challenging to add WESTERN optics solutions to the AK…Gee, I wonder why that is??  Could it be because it’s an EASTERN rifle??  Didn’t exactly see the geniuses in the G&A magazine connect those dots.

Frank Iannamico's AK-47:THE GRIM REAPER

It would be safe to say that the "AK-47" rifle and its many variants have been indirectly responsible for incalculable military and civilian casualties; perhaps more than any military small arms ever made.  The responsibility is indirect because a firearm is an inanimate object; it cannot make decisions ....the person who has their finger on the trigger is the true Grim Reaper.  Ultimately, irresponsible and indiscriminate worldwide distribution of this rifle is largely responsible for the sins mistakenly applied to the firearm itself.


There have been many books published about the kalashnikov assault rifles, but this publication differs from most previous works.  Covered in detailed text and photographs are the many  military AK rifle variants from around the world.  However, in place of the previously well-documented early evolution history of Russian military weapons published elsewhere, this book includes an in-depth study of the many variations of the civilian semiautomatic-only AK style rifles that have become very popular in the United States since they were first imported in the early 1980s up to the present time.

868 pages, Hardbound $49.95+ $8.95 S/H

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ZPU-2 twin 14.5mm KPV machine guns in AA mode.

At the bottom of the page.  I really need one of those so I can protect the airspace over my property.