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7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 Great Historical Analysis of Urban Snipers Apr 20, 2009
In John West's work, Fry The Brain, he argues that the urban sniper is a critical component to a successful urban guerilla movement. He supports his assertion by arguing that a snipers impact on the morale of the opposing force far exceeds the number of enemy Soldiers he actually engages. West then goes on to further suggest that a sniper can elicit an over response from his enemy which subsequently allows the urban guerilla movement to leverage the media to influence international opinion. Ultimately West firmly establishes his position that a snipers value far exceeds the necessary investment in training and equipment.
Fry the Brain is a long book that really takes an extensive look at the role and impact of the urban sniper through the lens of numerous urban conflicts from Stalingrad in World War II, to the current conflict in Iraq. His historical analysis are absolutely outstanding in general, and provide an excellent foundation for his subsequent discussion concerning the role of the sniper in each battle. West's examination of each conflict is accomplished through an examination of the tactics, and equipment employed by the urban sniper in each of the contingencies, usually through an analysis of a specific sniper or sniper operation. In each case study West focuses on the challenges of infiltration, signature minimization, exfiltration, and the psychological impact of the sniper after the target(s) were serviced. Where ever possible West quantifies the number of sniper related casualties, and subsequently works to extrapolate through various indicators their ultimate impact at the operational level of the conflict.
West expands his examination of the urban sniper by also reviewing the snipers tools of the trade, and modern counter sniper tactics, and technology. It's obvious that West has an affinity for firearms, which isn't surprising since he himself served as a U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier for 22 years. His review of potential sniper weapons and equipment is unfortunately disappointing, not so much as a result of what he chose to examine, but because of technical mistakes that shouldn't have been made by an author with his credentials. The two most frustrating mistakes that he made throughout the book were his reference to suppressing a revolver, and the employment of exploding bullets.
West is absolutely enamored with the concept of the suppressed firearm. His arguments concerning the benefits of the snipers employment of a suppressed weapon are compelling, but on more than one occasion he specifically suggests the employment of a suppressed revolver. With only a few model specific exceptions (Nagant Revolver), revolvers cannot be effectively suppressed due to the gap between the cylinder and the barrel. If West had specified that a revolver be suppressed to conceal the muzzle flash his argument would be more valid, but he clearly indicates the purpose of the suppressor as to reduce the sound signature of the weapon when fired. Additionally considering the amount of time spent discussing weapon suppression, it would have been appropriate to add a decibel examination to the discussion, to quantify the effect of modern suppressors when used in conjunction with a standard semi-automatic firearm.
West `s suggestion that `exploding' bullets be used to minimize the forensic signature of the sniper is particularly disappointing. West would lead the reader to believe that there is a small caliber round filled with explosives that detonates on contact. That round simply does not exist. What West is probably referring to is a frangible round that essentially disintegrates when it meets a medium denser than itself. Frangible rounds are commonly used in indoor ranges to reduce the potential of ricochets. The frangible round would meet all the forensic aspects of West's assertion, short of his suggestion that `exploding' rounds were used by Kennedy's assassins. In the case of Kennedy's assassination, West suggests that the round that penetrated the front windshield of the president's car, and subsequently struck him in the throat was an `exploding' round. By his own analysis the round should have exploded on impact with the windshield and would have never made it to the president.
Overall the book is a great review of the historical impact of the sniper in the urban environment. A more well versed editor would have caught and addressed the issues concerning the suppression of a revolver, and the reference to exploding bullets. Those errors are really minor detractors from an otherwise very good book. West's analysis of urban sniper tactics is unparalleled and provides a one source reference for the counter insurgency professional working against the modern urban sniper. Ultimately West firmly establishes his position that a snipers value far exceeds his quantitative impact on the battlefield.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
History Lesson Apr 13, 2009
Great piece of history. Something you won't be exposed to in typical circles of life. Nice job.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Well-written and Great Pictures Dec 25, 2008
We bought this book for a relative who is an avid shooter. I found the book to be very comprehensive, easy to follow, and it included a lot of interesting, high-quality photos. My personal favorite about the book is the historical parts about sniping and guerilla warfare. I highly recommend this book!
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Finally, a top notch book on urban guerrilla warfare. Nov 19, 2008
The author takes a comprehensive look at the art of urban guerrilla sniping since World War II and addresses such guerrilla wars as the German Werwolf resistance movement, the Chechen war against Russia, the PLO's war against Israel, the IRA's war in Ireland, and the recent war in Iraq. The author also takes a detailed look at the urban sniping methodology employed in Stalingrad, in Sarajevo, by Kennedy's assassins, mass murderer Charles Whitman in the Texas Tower, and the DC snipers who offered death from the back of a Chevy sedan.
This is not your average sniper book - this work tackles the subject from the view of the urban guerrilla sniper. Subjects addressed include the legality of urban guerrilla sniping, possible sniper tools to be used, suppressed sniping, and all the dirty tricks guerrilla snipers have used since WW II. Balancing out the book are several chapters on counter-sniping tactics, although the author offers the entire book as a counter-sniper manual.
This is a refreshingly detailed work on a unique subject that will help readers understand modern urban guerrilla warfare. There are hundreds of illustrations, many of which are rare. Overall, a solid work. Five stars all the way.
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