The Sten gun was one of the most significant firearms of World War II and directly contributed to the Allied victory. Before the war, the British establishment resisted adopting a submachine gun, but they were forced to change their attitude after the Blitzkrieg of 1940. During the desperate days that followed, British designers went against tradition to create the Sten, a weapon that was easily mass-produced to supply not only the rapidly expanding British forces, but also the courageous Resistance organizations in Occupied Europe. Despite the Sten's ungainly appearance, it was a surprisingly effective combat weapon.

In The Sten: Its History and Use in Combat, Derek Vlasek draws on original sources and personal experience as a reenactor to describe the fascinating development of this remarkable firearm and its use in all major theaters of the The book also examines wartime attitudes towards the Sten from the soldiers who used it. What was originally called the "plumber's nightmare" earned the respect of those who fought with it, and for the Resistance, it became a symbol of liberation.