This book is effectively a sales manual for the new Maxim Automatic ( or Machine) gun invented by Hiram Maxim who is seen proudly brandishing his brainchild in the frontispiece. The book brings together newspaper accounts of small African campaigns in the 1890s to demonstrate how the new wonder weapon can overawe or scythe down even numerically vastly superior enemies. Accompanied by pages of photos showing how the gun can be transported or adapted, the book is an effective demonstration of how lethal technology allowed the western powers to cominate their colonies.