The Book of the Garand is the definitive chronicle of the U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1, also known as the M1 Garand. It was the first semi-automatic rifle generally issued to any infantry. General George S. Patton called it "the greatest battle implement ever devised" as it gave the U.S. a significant advantage in firepower over bolt-action single shot rifles used by the enemy in WWII. The Book of the Garand is Major General Julian S. Hatchers first-hand account of the U.S. War Departments search, testing, manufacturing and dissemination of the M1 Garand.