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Rating: 
Summary: A Real Eye-Opener
Review: It sounded good ... a look into the next 10 years or so of (mostly) directed energy weapons and unmanned air vehicles, published by the Smithsonian press. Unfortunately, the end result is lacking. The book is a collection of essays, edited to give some sembalance of consistency. The essays are too general in nature, mostly lacking the technical details that are vital to a book on such a subject - more of an introduction than a survey of the current state of affairs and a well-reasoned look at the future. Far too little new information is presented, which is surprising given the qualifications of the authors. The reader is left with more questions than answers.
Rating: 
Summary: Enlightening, but needs an immediate update
Review: The Technological Arsenol is a book of essays analyzing new military technology. Some of the weapons systems examined in the essays are conceptual, such as orbital lasers shooting down ballistic missiles. Other featured weapons are in current use. An interesting chapter on cruise missiles highlights that weapon's history and evolving capabilities while sounding a warning note on its threat potential to the United States in the hands of a belligerent state. Speaking of which, the contributors to this book, its editor, William C. Martel in particular, are made conspicuous by the events of 9/11 in their exclusion of the topic of terrorism. I'm not condeming them in any way. Technological Arsenol was compiled before that horrific episode transpired. For the U.S. military, the topic of the day was missile defense for which a book like Arsenol would have been...still is...an appropriate reference for proponents and opponents of Star Wars to broaden their understanding. Now, post 9/11, a new chapter should be added to this book detailing whatever cutting edge technology, whether established or on the drawing board, will be available to combat the scourge of terrorism. In the book's conclusion, the editor writes of states being forced to resort to asymmetric warfare in the face of America's overwhelming military superiority; Asymmetric,meaning to strike at a stronger opponent's vulnerabilties. For example, a nuclear armed North Korea cannot hope to defeat the United States in a conventional confrontation, so it would have to resort to a nuclear strike on a U.S. airbase in the hope that America's aversion to casualties would induce the U.S.to cease hostilities. I doubt the United States would ever capitulate in the aftermath of such an attack, have greater doubts that a regime no matter how repressive and terroristic would seek the route of suicide in contemplating that kind of action. Terrorists have no such compunction. Countless incidents before, during and after 9/11,(the release of sarin gas in a Tokyo subway is a case in point)have demonstrated that terrorists will use any and all available means of violence in pursuit of their objectives. The opponents to fear the most in their use of asymmetric warfare is not the rogue nation easily identified and subject to massive retaliation if it dared to strike the U.S. The opponents are terrorists who hide in the shadows of civilization emerging only to do their deadly deeds. It won't be space lasers and particle weapons that will take on this threat, but good old fashion humint (human intelligence) gathering supplemented by a high dose of hi-tech.
Rating:
Summary: Enlightening, but needs an immediate update
Review: The Technological Arsenol is a book of essays analyzing new military technology. Some of the weapons systems examined in the essays are conceptual, such as orbital lasers shooting down ballistic missiles. Other featured weapons are in current use. An interesting chapter on cruise missiles highlights that weapon's history and evolving capabilities while sounding a warning note on its threat potential to the United States in the hands of a belligerent state. Speaking of which, the contributors to this book, its editor, William C. Martel in particular, are made conspicuous by the events of 9/11 in their exclusion of the topic of terrorism. I'm not condeming them in any way. Technological Arsenol was compiled before that horrific episode transpired. For the U.S. military, the topic of the day was missile defense for which a book like Arsenol would have been...still is...an appropriate reference for proponents and opponents of Star Wars to broaden their understanding. Now, post 9/11, a new chapter should be added to this book detailing whatever cutting edge technology, whether established or on the drawing board, will be available to combat the scourge of terrorism. In the book's conclusion, the editor writes of states being forced to resort to asymmetric warfare in the face of America's overwhelming military superiority; Asymmetric,meaning to strike at a stronger opponent's vulnerabilties. For example, a nuclear armed North Korea cannot hope to defeat the United States in a conventional confrontation, so it would have to resort to a nuclear strike on a U.S. airbase in the hope that America's aversion to casualties would induce the U.S.to cease hostilities. I doubt the United States would ever capitulate in the aftermath of such an attack, have greater doubts that a regime no matter how repressive and terroristic would seek the route of suicide in contemplating that kind of action. Terrorists have no such compunction. Countless incidents before, during and after 9/11,(the release of sarin gas in a Tokyo subway is a case in point)have demonstrated that terrorists will use any and all available means of violence in pursuit of their objectives. The opponents to fear the most in their use of asymmetric warfare is not the rogue nation easily identified and subject to massive retaliation if it dared to strike the U.S. The opponents are terrorists who hide in the shadows of civilization emerging only to do their deadly deeds. It won't be space lasers and particle weapons that will take on this threat, but good old fashion humint (human intelligence) gathering supplemented by a high dose of hi-tech.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Eye-Opener
Review: This is a startling look at what the face of war will look like in the near and distant future. Most of the research and concepts described have not been mentioned anywhere else, and the information comes from program managers and those most closely involved with the projects. These are all highly classified "black" programs, but there's more than enough here to amaze anyone interested in defense technology, from the DARPA insider to buffs and gamers. The media must think so too because the author is a regular talking head and is quoted in newspaper stories on the current military campaign and "Star Wars" missile defense.
Rating:
Summary: Can't miss read for War Buffs!
Review: This is without question the best and most informative collection of essays that is available to the general public on the U.S. military's most critical technologies of the 21st century! I am amazed that the authors were able to discuss such significant military technologies, thereby giving the reader a comprehensive and accessible analysis of future weapons that may be used in our next major conflict - and are being used in Afghanistan today. These essays should be treated as treasures for each of us who want to learn about future technologies. Simply put, this is an outstanding book!
Rating:
Summary: Can't miss read for War Buffs!
Review: This is without question the best and most informative collection of essays that is available to the general public on the U.S. military's most critical technologies of the 21st century! I am amazed that the authors were able to discuss such significant military technologies, thereby giving the reader a comprehensive and accessible analysis of future weapons that may be used in our next major conflict - and are being used in Afghanistan today. These essays should be treated as treasures for each of us who want to learn about future technologies. Simply put, this is an outstanding book!
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