Designed in 1947 by a Russian World War II veteran, Mikhail Kalashnikov, the AK-47 is cheap, light, easy to use and repair, and capable of firing even after being submerged in a rice paddy or baked in the desert sun. In this fascinating book, Larry Kahaner tells the story of this ubiquitous and deadly weapon, contrasting it with the admittedly inferior M-16 and chronicling the role the AK-47 has played in conflicts from Vietnam and Iraq to Rwanda and Colombia.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 235-246) and index.

Protecting the motherland -- A reputation born in the rice paddies -- Pandora's box -- The African credit card -- The Kalashnikov culture reaches Latin America -- Kalashnikov and his gun visit America -- The United Nations takes on the true weapons of mass destruction -- AK versus M-16: part 2 -- The second selling of the AK -- The last days of the AK?.