A spectacular visual guide to the epic 4,000-year history of weaponry, created in association with the Smithsonian Institution.Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armortells this epic story of the entire spectrum of weaponry through stunning photography and authoritative coverage, from the stone axes of the earliest warfare to the heavy artillery of today's armies. Take a journey through the centuries, from the Viking sword to the Baker rifle to the AK-47, as you explore the forms and functions of the greatest arms of all time, the warrior types that changed history, and the weapons that changed the face of warfare. Richly detailed catalogs showcase many weapons at their actual size, outlining the timeframe, weight, size, and country of origin to create a comprehensive profile of each.Now revised and updated to include brand-new content and expanded sections on cannons and modern guns,Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armorprovides a stunning overview of the tools that have been at the cutting edge of history, determining the rise of kingdoms and the fall of empires.