As you have no doubt read from all my other posts, I am essentially reviewing gadgets for the rest of the year, particularly for the holiday season. Still, I like to do some book reviews every once in a while, and I will have to say that I really enjoyed William Gurstelle’s Ready the Cannons.

Ready the Cannons is a book that gives the user step-by-step instructions on how to create really cool weapons. Just to let you know, everything that you would create from this book would be non-lethal, like the guy in Mystery Men. You are not creating guns or artillery with lethal force, but wiffle ball launchers, beverage bottle bazookas, and other fun stuff.

As you might have guessed, the first part of this book is a disclaimer saying not to use these creations against someone. As much as this doesn’t need to be said, it is probably good that it was said. I hope that by purchasing this book, I am not put on some kind of watch list.

It is pretty clear that author Gurstelle doesn’t want to inspire any rampant destructive behavior. He is trying to foster creativity, and this book can be appreciated by readers of any age.

Each chapter talks about shooting devices, and it also gives some history about them as well. Did you know that the bazooka was named after a musical instrument that had the same shape? I had a good laugh on the nuclear cannon, which is a definite low point during the cold war.

It’s very clear that this book is a way for the reader to channel their inner MacGyver, and considering that Richard Dean Anderson’s most famous character has been rebooted for a new generation, perhaps this book will have present-day appeal.

If you want to get your hands on this book, check it out on Amazon.