Basically a very novice oriented guide to the metallurgy involved in weapons, and since I know zip about the subject I thought I'd get it. Well worth the $27. Amazon carries it. It covers ferrous and non-ferrous metals and it tells a good deal about how they're made, and when they were introduced. Some historical information in here I knew but most I didn't, and I think it will be a very valuable reference work for me as I acquire more old clunkers.