Dutcher’s book is nearly equivalent to the in-depth material of a doctoral dissertation, but blessedly lacks the lengthy and boring sections, such as previous research, investigative rationale, and theories of historical research. Unfortunately, there are no universities that offer Ph.D.’s in Ballard rifles, or grants to support endeavors in arms research (unless that research somehow impacts society). But Dutcher has done his homework. He’s read everything there is to know about Ballard rifles, incorporated it into his text, and given credit for the sources in a bibliography that allows you to ascertain his veracity or continue your own research in specific fields of endeavor. The study has consumed some twenty years of his time, and untold thousands of dollars in professional photographs of the rifles. He poses questions about aspects yet unresearched and offers directions toward answers. Definitive works such as this have time limits in the present but are open-ended in the future, when new material is discovered. That’s the nature of research and dissertations. 
He uses anecdotes and historical quotes as illustrations in his chapters so that they form a text that you’ll want to continue reading as you learn about the evolution of the Ballard rifle. And Dutcher doesn’t write in fall-asleep academic prose, but rather in the conversational tone of someone who’s talking to you and me about something that interests us. And it’s a complicated subject, embroiled in the arms machinations of the Civil War with the participants’ feverish quest to adopt a more usable arm. The Ballard was one of the main contenders for a rifle for the Union cause, but it was beset with production problems. In this book, you learn why that was. 
The Ballard went through several manufacturers’ attempts to produce usable rifles and carbines for military use. How can you tell them apart? In fact, why wasn’t such a breechloading system adopted universally, in contrast to a musket with which a soldier had to stand up and load in the face of enemy fire? Dutcher tells you why. And then there’s the story of the Marlin Ballard as the action of choice for schuetzen shooting, and later for the smallbore game. Be prepared for a good read and a wealth of information. 
Rudi Prusok
Editor emeritus, Single Shoot Rifle Journal,
American Single Shot Rifle Association