Audible, an Amazon company leader in the production and distribution of quality audio content, announces the release of the podcast “650 per minute. The incredible story of the Kalashnikov”, written and narrated by Roberto Saviano. Through ten 50-minute episodes, the podcast traces the history of the famous AK-47 submachine gun, designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, starting from its origins in the village of Kurya, in the Russian highlands, up to its widespread diffusion in every corner of the globe. Saviano explores the reasons that have made the Kalashnikov the most used weapon in the world, from its simplicity and cheapness of production, use and maintenance, to its lethal effectiveness which does not require particular training or physical strength to be used.
The podcast analyzes the devastating impact of the AK-47 in different contexts, from the armed conflicts that have bloodied Vietnam to the attack on the Munich Olympics in ’72 and the Bataclan in Paris in 2015, up to its use by groups terrorists such as Isis and Al-Qaeda and criminal organizations such as the Camorra, the ‘Ndrangheta and the Mafia. “650 per minute” does not simply tell the story of a weapon, but offers a reflection on its role in the history of humanity and its impact on society. Saviano’s voice is intertwined with the testimonies of experts and personalities such as Daniel Psenny, Gastone Breccia, Irene Caratelli and others, offering a complete and in-depth picture of the Kalashnikov phenomenon. The podcast is enriched by the sound design of Niccolò Martin, the theme song by Leopoldo di Legne and the cover created by Tanino Liberatore, which portrays a child soldier, a dramatic symbol of the indiscriminate use of this weapon. “650 per minute. The incredible story of the Kalashnikov” is available exclusively on Audible.it starting from December 16th.
