Weapons of Choice (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 1)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Weapons of Choice (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 1)
    John Birmingham
    Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Mass Market Paperback

    Alternate HistoryAlternate History | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
    Alternate HistoryAlternate History | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
    All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Designated Targets (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 2) Designated Targets (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 2)
    2. Final Impact (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 3) Final Impact (The Axis of Time Trilogy, Book 3)
    3. Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, Book 1) Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, Book 1)
    4. Old Man's War Old Man's War
    5. Fearless (The Lost Fleet, Book 2) Fearless (The Lost Fleet, Book 2)

    ASIN: 0345457137
    Release Date: 2005-04-26

    Book Description

    On the eve of America’s greatest victory in the Pacific,
    a catastrophic event disrupts the course of World War II, forever changing the rules of combat. . . .

    The impossible has spawned the unthinkable. A military experiment in the year 2021 has thrust an American-led multinational armada back to 1942, right into the middle of the U.S. naval task force speeding toward Midway Atoll—and what was to be the most spectacular U.S. triumph of the entire war.

    Thousands died in the chaos, but the ripples had only begun. For these veterans of Pearl Harbor—led by Admirals Nimitz, Halsey, and Spruance—have never seen a helicopter, or a satellite link, or a nuclear weapon. And they’ve never encountered an African American colonel or a British naval commander who was a woman and half-Pakistani. While they embrace the armada’s awesome firepower, they may find the twenty-first century sailors themselves far from acceptable.

    Initial jubilation at news the Allies would win the war is quickly doused by the chilling realization that the time travelers themselves—by their very presence—have rendered history null and void. Celebration turns to dread when the possibility arises that other elements of the twenty-first century task force may have also made the trip—and might now be aiding Yamamoto and the Japanese.

    What happens next is anybody’s guess—and everybody’s nightmare. . . .


    From the Trade Paperback edition.

    Download Description

    On the eve of America's greatest victory in the Pacific, a catastrophic event disrupts the course of World War II, forever changing the rules of combat....

    The impossible has spawned the unthinkable. A military experiment in the year 2021 has thrust an American-led multinational armada back to 1942, right into the middle of the U.S. naval task force speeding toward Midway Atoll—and what was to be the most spectacular U.S. triumph of the entire war.

    Thousands died in the chaos, but the ripples had only begun. For these veterans of Pearl Harbor—led by Admirals Nimitz, Halsey, and Spruance—have never seen a helicopter, or a satellite link, or a nuclear weapon. And they've never encountered an African American colonel or a British naval commander who was a woman and half-Pakistani. While they embrace the armada's awesome firepower, they may find the twenty-first century sailors themselves far from acceptable.

    Initial jubilation at news the Allies would win the war is quickly doused by the chilling realization that the time travelers themselves—by their very presence—have rendered history null and void. Celebration turns to dread when the possibility arises that other elements of the twenty-first century task force may have also made the trip—and might now be aiding Yamamoto and the Japanese.

    What happens next is anybody's guess—and everybody's nightmare....


    "This is an excellent combination of near future military SF and alternate history, and a riveting story to boot."
       ERIC FLINT, AUTHOR OF 1632 AND 1634: THE GALILEO AFFAIR

    "This book has everying: time travel, the British royalty, things that go boom, and unrelenting action. Read the opening at your own risk: you won't be doing anything else until you finish it."
        SEAN WILLIAMS, CO-AUTHOR OF HEIRS OF EARTH AND STAR WARS: FORCE HERETIC: REUNION

    The Nuclear Tipping Point: Why States Reconsider Their Nuclear Choices
    Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    • A study on several countries nuclear choices
    • Insightful !
    • more proliferation?
    The Nuclear Tipping Point: Why States Reconsider Their Nuclear Choices

    Manufacturer: Brookings Institution Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    NuclearNuclear | Weapons & Warfare | Military | History | Subjects | Books
    ControlControl | Weapons & Warfare | Military | History | Subjects | Books
    Arms ControlArms Control | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    RelationsRelations | International | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    International SecurityInternational Security | Freedom & Security | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Deadly Arsenals: Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Threats, Revised Edition Deadly Arsenals: Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Threats, Revised Edition
    2. The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate Renewed, Second Edition The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate Renewed, Second Edition
    3. The Psychology of Nuclear Proliferation: Identity, Emotions and Foreign Policy The Psychology of Nuclear Proliferation: Identity, Emotions and Foreign Policy
    4. The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism
    5. Nuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe Nuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe

    ASIN: 0815713312

    Book Description

    More than half a century after the advent of the nuclear age, is the world approaching a tipping point that will unleash an epidemic of nuclear proliferation?

    Today many of the building blocks of a nuclear arsenal—scientific and engineering expertise, precision machine tools, software, design information—are more readily available than ever before. The nuclear pretensions of so-called rogue states and terrorist organizations are much discussed. But how firm is the resolve of those countries that historically have chosen to forswear nuclear weapons? A combination of changes in the international environment could set off a domino effect, with countries scrambling to develop nuclear weapons so as not to be left behind—or to develop nuclear "hedge" capacities that would allow them to build nuclear arsenals relatively quickly, if necessary.

    The Nuclear Tipping Point examines the factors, both domestic and transnational, that shape nuclear policy. The authors, distinguished scholars and foreign policy practitioners with extensive government experience, develop a framework for understanding why certain countries may originally have decided to renounce nuclear weapons—and pinpoint some more recent country-specific factors that could give them cause to reconsider. Case studies of eight long-term stalwarts of the nonproliferation regime—Egypt, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Syria, Turkey, and Taiwan—flesh out this framework and show how even these countries might be pushed over the edge of a nuclear tipping point.

    The authors offer prescriptions that would both prevent such countries from reconsidering their nuclear option and avert proliferation by others. The stakes are enormous and success is far from assured. To keep the tipping point beyond reach, the authors argue, the international community will have to act with unity, imagination, and strength, and Washington's leadership will be essential.

    Contributors include Leon Feurth, George Washington University; Ellen Laipson, Stimson Center; Thomas W. Lippman, Middle East Institute; Jenifer Mackby, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Derek J. Mitchell, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Jonathan D. Pollack, U.S. Naval War College; Walter B. Slocombe, Caplin and Drysdale; and Tsuyoshi Sunohara, Center for Strategic and International Studies.

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars A study on several countries nuclear choices.......2007-03-07

    To build an atomic bomb, you only need 1940s technology. Not only that, but as the book points out to many countries, a nuclear defense is cheaper then a conventional one. Many states like Israel nuclear weapons give it a defense that it could never get from a conventional one. As the book further points out the world does not punish states going nuclear much. So why have so few states gone for a nuclear defense?

    It is a fascinating issue. This book takes us though several countries and discussion that they had in this question. The important debates on getting nuclear weapons in most countries is hidden even in democratic countries. For example few people in the US, Britain, France or Israel knew of their country nuclear weapons program until they had a bomb. So many of the debates, I felt were guesswork of what people were likely to say.

    Two problems with the book, I though was looking at the physical weapon rather then many states today which are virtual nuclear states. They could have a bomb in a few months if they wanted it. We probably have more nuclear proliferation then they admit.

    The second it did not discuss the vulnerability a state has to nuclear weapons for example Egypt with the Nile. A few conventual and nuclear weapon blasts and most of Egypt's water is cut off. Maybe the Egyptians' have sound military reasons to not have nuclear weapons.

    Finally the book does not fill me with hope. North Korea has a bomb and it appears that Iran will have one soon. Both from reading the book will cause ripple effects in the neighboring countries if the doubt the US commitment to them.



    4 out of 5 stars Insightful !.......2005-02-24

    This book stems from a three-year-long collaboration between the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Reves Center for International Studies at the College of William and Mary. Scholars studied eight countries currently committed to nonproliferation - Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan - to determine what scenarios might make them change their minds. The objective was to study how the nuclear genie might get out of the bottle - but it also indicates ways to keep it contained. The book intentionally does not focus on proliferator states, such as North Korea or Iran. Even with that omission, we recommend it for the stark realities its research uncovers. One is that non-proliferating nations all look to the U.S. for reassurance that the world will stay safe for those without nuclear weapons. Another is that the world must stop Iran and North Korea's atomic ambitions, lest a tipping point occurs that would provoke other nations to conclude that their security requires swinging the biggest stick.

    4 out of 5 stars more proliferation?.......2005-02-20

    In the midst of headlines about possible nuclear weapons being acquired by rogue states, this recent book is quite timely. It addresses what is a slightly puzzling issue. Why, 60 years after the use of nuclear weapons, are there still relatively few nations armed with these weapons? Some projections made in the 1960s postulated that by now, if we hadn't blown ourselves up, there would be scores of nuclear armed nations.

    Part of the book explains why this did not come to pass. But the more urgent analysis is devoted to suggesting how in fact it might still come to be. The politics of regional rivalries in east Asia, south Asia and the Middle East is studied. There are knock-on effects of one nation possessing such arms, triggering a frantic effort by its neighbours to also do so.

    One thing to note is that the technical obstacles are less than ever before. While still exceedingly nontrivial, the case of Pakistan illustrates how a moderately sized developing country can develop such weapons, given sufficient will and resources.
    Weapon of Choice: ARSOF (U.S. Army Special Operation Forces) in Afghanistan
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Weapon of Choice: ARSOF (U.S. Army Special Operation Forces) in Afghanistan

      Manufacturer: Combat Studies Institute Press Fort Leavenworth KS
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback
      ASIN: B000F8THRE
      Weapon of Choice: ARSOF in Afghanistan
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Weapon of Choice: ARSOF in Afghanistan
        Charles H. Briscoe , Richard L. Kiper , James A. Schroder , and Kalev I. Sepp
        Manufacturer: USASOC Historian's Office
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

        AfghanistanAfghanistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Military | History | Subjects | Books
        ASIN: B000NP3KJU

        Product Description

        The purpose of Weapon of Choice is to share stories about Army special-operations Soldiers with the general American public, to show what various elements achieved during the war to drive the Taliban from power and to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan as part of the global war on terrorism. The aim is not to resolve Army special-operations doctrinal issues, to clarify or update military definitions, or to be the definitive history of the continuing unconventional war in Afghanistan. Rather, the aim is to demonstrate how the war to drive the Taliban from power, to help the Afghan people, and to assist the Afghan Interim Authority rebuild the country afterwards was successfully accomplished by majors, captains, warrant officers, and sergeants on tactical teams and aircrews at the lowest levels.
        Weapons of Choice: The Development of Precision Guided Munitions
        Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
        • A very good book, but do not expect coverage of recent history/developments.
        • Reviewed by Douglas Selin, Electrical Engineer
        Weapons of Choice: The Development of Precision Guided Munitions
        Paul G. Gillespie
        Manufacturer: University Alabama Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

        GeneralGeneral | Military | History | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Conventional | Weapons & Warfare | Military | History | Subjects | Books
        Military ScienceMilitary Science | History | Subjects | Books
        All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
        ASIN: 0817315322

        Customer Reviews:

        4 out of 5 stars A very good book, but do not expect coverage of recent history/developments........2006-11-23

        This is a very good book. Like the previous reviewer I was drawn to the description of TI's development of the Paveway series of LGBs.

        However, for a book with a publishing date of 2006 (with a late 2006 release date), I expected a lot more coverage of precision guided munition (PGM) doctrine, rules of engagement and usage/effects in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 2006 release date also led me to expect a discussion of how improvements in GPS accuracy created demand for smaller JDAMs, as well as some discussion of multi-mode seekers which have been developed for JDAMs, Lockheed-Martin's Joint Common Missile and Increment II of Boeing's Small Diameter Bomb (SDB / GBU-39). In fact, SDB and the potential revolution it represents (60 nm range, sub-meter accuracy, low-potential for collateral damage, quadrupled weapons loadout) isn't covered.

        Don't get me wrong. This is a very good book, filled with more data and background than anything I've previously seen on early American PGM development and usage. The author's argument that PGM usage in Vietnam previewed a Revolution in Military Affairs and a change in how U.S. foreign policy is conducted was spot on. But, as the cover stated, "There are not many books devoted to PGMs" - the recent release date had me hoping for, and expecting, more. This book makes a good companion to "The Precision Revolution: GPS and the Future of Aerial Warfare" which ends in the same timeframe, though it was published in 2002.

        5 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Douglas Selin, Electrical Engineer.......2006-11-23

        This book is a very interesting historical account of the development of precision guided weapons. In addition, there is commentary on how the development of PGMs (Precision Guided Munitions) has influenced national defense policy. Personally, I was intrigued by the history and the early attempts that were made to improve the accuracy of bombs. Some of the stories were fascinating. Another reader told me that the best chapters were Chapters 2 and 3, and they were very enjoyable. However, being an engineer, I found the description in the later chapters of how Texas Instruments developed the laser guided bomb to be the most interesting. I would have enjoyed more detailed explanations of the mechanisms used, but I recognize that many others might not have been that enthralled with it. Overall, I was very impressed with how well-written this book is. Although the history was the most interesting part to me, the policy commentary and conclusions were also interesting (just not quite as interesting).
        Choice of Weapons (Borealis Books)
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • A Choice of Weapons, a celebration of life...
        • He is gone now
        • Choice of Weapons / Gordon Parks
        • Underrated and wonderfully fulfilling book
        • Picture Perfect Imagery
        Choice of Weapons (Borealis Books)
        Gordon Parks
        Manufacturer: Minnesota Historical Society Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        Collections, Catalogues & ExhibitionsCollections, Catalogues & Exhibitions | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Photographers, A-Z | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
        Artists, Architects & PhotographersArtists, Architects & Photographers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        African-American & BlackAfrican-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        Similar Items:
        1. Learning Tree Learning Tree
        2. A Hungry Heart: A Memoir A Hungry Heart: A Memoir
        3. Half Past Autumn: A Retrospective (Half Past Autumn) Half Past Autumn: A Retrospective (Half Past Autumn)
        4. Voices in the Mirror: An Autobiography (Harlem Moon Classics) Voices in the Mirror: An Autobiography (Harlem Moon Classics)
        5. Eyes with Winged Thoughts: Poems and Photographs Eyes with Winged Thoughts: Poems and Photographs

        ASIN: 0873512022

        Book Description

        This is the compelling autobiography of the award-winning photographer and artist who was only sixteen when he moved from Kansas to Minnesota in 1928.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars A Choice of Weapons, a celebration of life..........2006-08-22

        "A Choice of Weapons" is one of my favorite books. The compelling autobiographical story captures for us the experience of one of America's greatest treasures, Gordon Parks. His path from poverty and isolation to riches and notoriety is much more than just a story, it's an accounting of his life as an African American with rural roots in an America that was not welcoming nor supportive-- despite his amazing talent. He overcame that to become one of the world's best-known photographers, filmmakers, poets, and musicians. A fine person, strong with his mother's teaching, he brought his spirit to the world.

        Mr. Parks was recently buried in his hometown (Fort Scott, KS), not long after coming home to a wonderful celebration of his life and work-- a celebration that is an annual affair as part of the Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity that has been founded there. I met him during the first celebration in 2004, going into the old Liberty Theatre to view a retrospective of his films. He was charming and personable, and his eyes sparkled with happiness; the peace of forgiveness and homecoming emanated from him. He had struggled and triumphed, and the prairie wind was still fresh within him.

        I encourage everyone to read this book and to explore the huge body of Gordon's work. You will be moved. You will be spurred to find the best of yourself...

        5 out of 5 stars He is gone now.......2006-03-08

        I write this after hearing the news of his passing. This book gave hope to another youth who had lost his parents and was looking for a reason to become a man. The effect this book had on me cannot be overestimated. It was to set me on the path to becoming a photographer, and to pursue writing among other things. It was required reading for me when I was in High School, and the only book I read all the way through.

        4 out of 5 stars Choice of Weapons / Gordon Parks.......2006-02-28

        The book is interesting reading eventhough the narrator sounds a bit self-righteous to me. Too much of "I always knew best" for my taste. This is only referencing the personal remarks in the book; the description of the grinding poverty in the big cities and what the Depression years did to the people is really well written. All in all, I'd wish that especially young people read this book.

        5 out of 5 stars Underrated and wonderfully fulfilling book.......2004-08-07

        I absolutely love this book.
        I am an avid reader but reserve my recommendations for very few books and authors. I hold dear a carefully chosen list of books that receive unjustly low profiles and recommend them to always-thankful friends. This book, by Gordon Parks, (as well as Manchild in the Promised Land, by Claude Brown) rank high on my list. Gordon Parks is an amazingly gifted human being.

        5 out of 5 stars Picture Perfect Imagery.......2001-07-20

        .... In my opinion,its imagery and descriptive scenarios will have you imagining as if it were you in the midst of the Great Migration. Concluding that "youth as it should be at seventeen was not for me, and that full manhood must come quickly if I was going to make it", Parks describes the journey in which he endures in order to make it through various seasons in the year. In trying to conquer the obstacles that each season brings, Parks learns to rely on his "choice of weapons" which allow him to see different walks of life. If you do choose to read Parks' autobiography, please don't forget to reflect upon what choice of weapons you have chosen in coping with life.
        Critical Masses and Critical Choices: Evolving Public Opinion on Nuclear Weapons, Terrorism, and Security
        Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
        • summarises many surveys
        Critical Masses and Critical Choices: Evolving Public Opinion on Nuclear Weapons, Terrorism, and Security
        Hank C. Jenkins-Smith , and Kerry G. Herron
        Manufacturer: University of Pittsburgh Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        Weapons & WarfareWeapons & Warfare | Military | History | Subjects | Books | Biological & Chemical | Control | Conventional | Nuclear
        GeneralGeneral | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        RelationsRelations | International | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        International SecurityInternational Security | Freedom & Security | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        TerrorismTerrorism | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        Similar Items:
        1. Global Non-Proliferation and Counter-Terrorism: The Impact of UNSCR 1540 Global Non-Proliferation and Counter-Terrorism: The Impact of UNSCR 1540
        2. Containment: Rebuilding a Strategy against Global Terror Containment: Rebuilding a Strategy against Global Terror

        ASIN: 0822959348

        Book Description

        Critical Masses and Critical Choices examines American attitudes on issues of national and international security. Based on over 13,000 in-depth interviews conducted over a ten-year period, Kerry Herron and Hank Jenkins-Smith have created a unique and rich set of data providing insights into public opinion on nuclear deterrence, terrorism, and other security issues from the end of the Cold War to the present day. Their goal is to shed light not only on changes in public opinion about a range of security-related policy issues, but also to gauge the depth of the public’s actual understanding of these matters. Prior to this study, the predominant view held that the American people were incapable of articulate and consistent thought on complex political subjects. This book overturns that notion and demonstrates the sometimes surprisingly cogent positions held by ordinary members of the public on intricate national issues.
        The book’s solid data, based on long-term studies, combined with crisp writing and often startling conclusions, will appeal to a wide range of readers: scholars, journalists, and policy makers. Critical Masses and Critical Choices is the definitive account of the change in public perceptions on security threats and reactive strategies from the early 1990s to the post 9/11 period. This broad and highly original study will prove an indispensable tool for policy makers and scholars alike.

        Customer Reviews:

        4 out of 5 stars summarises many surveys.......2006-11-03

        The authors point out that the book is somewhat late. Originally thought of in early 2001, in response to the end of the Cold War. But history proceeded to intervene in September of that year. The radical changes in US foreign policy necessitated a complete redirection of the book. But it is still about the US and how Americans perceived and coped with evolving dangers in the world.

        Of these, the proliferation of nuclear weapons is a major topic. Another is the spending policies of the US government. Unsurprisingly, an entire chapter is devoted to terrorism. The book summarises and interprets many surveys taken in the last 10 years, about these issues. The surveys were of US public opinion. The motivation of the analyses is to suggest how the government can best present policies and decisions to the public, as well as possibly use the surveys to find the most acceptable policies.
        Fatal Choice: Nuclear Weapons: Survival or Sentence
        Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
        • Wishfull thinking does not make a practical policy
        • The Title Sums Up the Book
        • A Bomb Of A Book
        • Important Ideas Concerning Treaties and Nukes
        Fatal Choice: Nuclear Weapons: Survival or Sentence
        Richard Butler
        Manufacturer: Westview Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        NuclearNuclear | Weapons & Warfare | Military | History | Subjects | Books
        Military ScienceMilitary Science | History | Subjects | Books
        Arms ControlArms Control | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        TerrorismTerrorism | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        International SecurityInternational Security | Freedom & Security | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        History of TechnologyHistory of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books
        Similar Items:
        1. Presidents' Secret Wars: CIA and Pentagon Covert Operations from World War II Through the Persian Gulf War (Elephant Paperbacks) Presidents' Secret Wars: CIA and Pentagon Covert Operations from World War II Through the Persian Gulf War (Elephant Paperbacks)
        2. U.S. Regional Deterrence Strategies U.S. Regional Deterrence Strategies
        3. Rwanda and Genocide in the Twentieth Century Rwanda and Genocide in the Twentieth Century
        4. Mass Hate: The Global Rise of Genocide and Terror (Revised and Updated) Mass Hate: The Global Rise of Genocide and Terror (Revised and Updated)
        5. For the President's Eyes Only: Secret Intelligence and the American Presidency from Washington to Bush For the President's Eyes Only: Secret Intelligence and the American Presidency from Washington to Bush

        ASIN: 0813340977
        Release Date: 2003-04-15

        Amazon.com

        The man who led the United Nations' failed effort to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction in the late 1990s says the world must make a decision "to survive nuclear weapons or be sentenced by them." Richard Butler describes the current situation in understandably stark terms: "These weapons are the singular human invention capable of destroying the earth and all that lives on it." He believes the planet faces no greater challenge than figuring out how to contain them. Global nonproliferation efforts have succeeded over the last several decades, he writes, but not completely: countries such as India, Pakistan, and possibly Iraq now have access to the bomb. President Bush's plans to build a national missile-defense system are especially misguided, in his view, because they would spur a new arms race. By pushing forward, the United States will ensure "the realization of its own nightmare." Butler proposes a series of arms-control measures--Senate confirmation of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, a bilateral agreement between the United States and Russia to reduce their nuclear stockpiles, the creation of an international Council on Weapons of Mass Destruction--but the main draw of Fatal Choice may be its moral fervor. Policymakers, Butler writes, "have a clear choice: to build a world free from the greatest of all threats to life, or to prepare for the next stage of nuclear bondage and terrorism." --John Miller

        Book Description

        A career diplomat argues that a second and much more threatening nuclear arms race is on the immediate horizon - and that despite recent world government actions, there remain positive actions to be taken.

        We continue to face a choice with respect to nuclear weapons - either to move safely toward their elimination or to remain their victim. A forty-year effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons is breaking down, and the likely acquisition of these weapons by terrorist groups is growing. In Fatal Choice, Richard Butler, a well-known and respected voice on the subject of nuclear weapons, argues that we are poised on the verge of a second and much more threatening nuclear arms race than the one experienced throughout the Cold War. This threat is clearly reflected in nuclear weapons development by India, Pakistan, Iraq, and North Korea. The revival by the Bush administration of missile defense will not deal with the problem but worsen it. Butler outlines the steps that can be taken to give effect to the right choice on nuclear weapons.

        Customer Reviews:

        2 out of 5 stars Wishfull thinking does not make a practical policy.......2006-12-31

        I have been following Richard Butler for many years with a lot of interest as he is a man who is extremely experienced in the issues of nuclear proliferation.

        His argument is that nuclear weapons spread is caused by other states that have nuclear weapons, they are expensive and that we could modify the world system so we could get rid of them. Well I find myself disagreeing with him.

        Originally nuclear weapons were first developed by the US against a non-nuclear opponent Germany. When the US discovered that Germany did not have a bomb, they kept on making it. They then used it against a non-nuclear enemy Japan. Then they built up their nuclear resources against a non-nuclear Russia. Later on Israel developed its nuclear weapons to be used as a last resort against enemies that lacked nuclear weapons. What I think one could argue is that the presence of nuclear weapons accelerates the spread of nuclear weapons but not that it is the cause!

        I also disagree about the expense. To quote the US federal government and say that nuclear weapons cost more then education, training, employment and social services; agriculture, natural resources and environment; general science and space research; community and regional development; law enforcement; and energy production and regulation is dishonest. Most these expenses are not federal but state and local costs. Defense tends to be a federal expense. I could use the same argument and argue since the US state governments spend so little on nuclear weapons compared to other things that nuclear weapons are cheap.

        But say his own figures is correct and the US military spend about 14% of its budget on nuclear weapons. The US military budget is about 19% of the federal total. So that works out to about 2.7% of the federal budget. For that expenditure, the US gets a massive powerful weapon system which is much cheaper then any other conventional system. President Eisenhower, who Richard Butler likes to selectively quote, talked about getting the biggest bang for the buck, and Eisenhower was talking about nukes. Bluntly the reason the US went for a nuclear defense system was it was cheaper. Similarly nuclear programs in other countries, do not appear to have made much a dent on their countries budgets so much that open societies like Britain, France, Israel and South Africa all managed to hid the relative small amounts in large items.


        Not only that but many countries purposes, a conventional system cannot do what a nuclear system can do. What size conventional force could North Korea or Iran build, that could deter the US?


        Lastly as anyone who has followed world affairs can see, its extremely unlikely that the international community can even if it wanted to police nuclear proliferation. His example of a policeman and crime is just wishful thinking - crime occurs in all countries. Nor is it easy to find, EVERY nation that today possesses nuclear weapons has lied about its intention to develop them. EVERY nuclear nation once protested that either "we are NOT going to develop nuclear weapons" or "our nuclear research is for peaceful purposes only." Then they went right ahead and developed the bomb. All we need is one crime in this case for a country going nuclear and Richard Butler's theories go out the door. By Richard Butler calculations then 44 countries could get a bomb, if they wanted one. Since then, one now has it North Korea. So we have a failure rate of 2%. Considering the record of the UN there is no reason to believe that any new UN body would do much not that much. Short of an invasion of North Korea, there is little the world can do to stop North Korea.

        The problem is that nuclear have been invented, its very hard to uninvent them and wishful thinking like this book suggests is not the answer.

        3 out of 5 stars The Title Sums Up the Book.......2006-01-08

        The author, Richard Butler, headed the UN Special Commission for Disarming Iraq. He was formerly a career member of the Australian diplomatic corp. and is a strong advocate of nuclear disarmament. In this book, the author gives his point of view. The international community of countries is facing a critical choice concerning the spread of nuclear weapons. The world is divided into countries that possess nuclear weapons, the "Have" countries, and those countries that do not possess such weapons are the Have-Nots". In the U.S., every country that attempts to join the ranks of the "Have" countries are berated with military threats and international sanctions because they have broken the terms of the (Non-Proliferation Treaty) NPT. The author's view is that the "Have" countries have themselves to blame for the root of the problem. The other half of the NPT holds that the countries possessing Nuclear Weapons must strive toward disarmament. The "Have -Not " countries that are playing catch-up in this arms race consider the NPT a broken treaty as they view each successive generation of improved nuclear weapons being deployed by the "Have" countries. Richard Butler's idea is that everything the nuclear powers use to prevent the remainder of the countries from joining its privileged circle is doomed to failure. The idea for the U.S. to set up a missile defense system will just be another privileged circle that will make the "playing" field even more tilted. Another exclusive club that will also become more populated as the technology trickles down. The book provides an excellent history of the Nuclear Weapons Age politics and treaties and their interplay upon different countries of the world community. .
        Some very current and good information is provided on the status of Iraq. The author explains the problems and his views very well. Well worth the read. His solutions seem to be a situation of "more of the same thing" I gave it three stars just because the solutions seems so weak. The information and the history provided is the five star section of the book.

        2 out of 5 stars A Bomb Of A Book.......2005-03-05

        I must say right up front that I was disappointed with this book. I had read the authors other book on his time as an Iraqi weapons inspector and found it to be both interesting and entertaining. I had hoped this book would be the same. It turns out the interesting sections were sparse and even the authors mother might be hard pressed to call the book entertaining. The author has spent most of his career working on nuclear weapons issues in regards to disarmament. Given that he was a member of the Australian government this meant his work consisted of being ignored by the countries with the weapons and be placated by the countries that wanted them. The book is his review of the current state of affaires with nuclear weapons and his opinion on the "star wars" missile defense system the U.S. is in the process of building.

        I guess I should not be too hard on the author. He did drop into his book here and there very interesting bits of information about nuclear weapons, who has them and what do they have. He also gives the reader some in sight as to which counties helped who with the creation of the weapons. I also liked the numbers he tossed in every now and then. The overall amount of money the U.S. alone has spent on these weapons systems is jaw dropping amazing. My complaints with the book are two fold. First he left out a large amount of interesting information that could have bulked up the book. There were very little discussion on what the current weapons can do, how they are delivered, and how the missile defense system is supposed to work. Given that the author was barely able to scrape together 160 pages for the book, it might not have been that bad of an idea to spend a little time at the library and give the reader a bit more.

        But my largest issue with the book was this pie in the sky view that by just talking to all the counties in the world about not having these weapons, somehow the countries that currently have the weapons would just decide to trash them and we would all live happily ever after. Now I do not argue that this would be a nice state of affairs, but lets step into reality. Who really thinks the conservative government we have now would think voluntarily getting rid of all nuclear weapons is a good idea. How about the Israelis, surrounded by enemies or how about India and Pakistan, two countries that routinely have boarder fights today. I felt the thinking was simplistic, narrow minded and bordering on the fanciful. Overall the book was average, it held some interesting bits of info, but also suffered from rather long and dull musings about a better world. I am sure there are better books dealing with weapons disarmament or the missile defense system.



        4 out of 5 stars Important Ideas Concerning Treaties and Nukes.......2002-03-21

        Richard Butler, a proponent of the abolition of all nuclear weapons, has written an important book concerning the current state of nuclear weapons in the world. His main thesis states that the problem with nuclear weapons are the weapons themselves and anything short of getting rid of them a futile effort. Specifically he refers to the Bush administrations future deployment of National Missile Defence as the "fatal choice."

        According to Butler, the advocates of missile defense and other measures designed to keep and expand nuclear arsenals in the U.S. use the argument that current treaties, especially the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, are not being adhered to and are thus useless. Butler, however, indicts the U.S. as being the main noncopliant culprit in that the U.S. has not bilaterally reduced its arsenal along with Russia to lower levels as is required in the treaty. Instead of scrapping the treaties, Butler advocates that these treaties ought to be bolstered and the proper institution be established to ensure compliance by all signators.

        Butler's book outlines effectively a few specific arguments against NMD.
        Weapon of Choice: United States Army Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan (Center of Military History Publication)
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Weapon of Choice: United States Army Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan (Center of Military History Publication)
          Charles H. Briscoe , Richard L. Kiper , James A. Schroder , and Kalev I. Sepp
          Manufacturer: United States Dept. of Defense
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

          AfghanistanAfghanistan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
          Central AsiaCentral Asia | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | United States | Military | History | Subjects | Books
          21st Century21st Century | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
          All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
          ASIN: 0160729580

          Book Description

          CMH Pub 70-100-1. By Charles H. Briscoe, et al. Meant to tell the story of Afghanistan, and help better prepare the Army for tomorrow with lessons derived from today's battlefield.
          Weapon of Choice
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Weapon of Choice
            Charles H. Briscoe
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Hardcover
            ASIN: B000J3QEKS

            Books:

            1. Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?: More Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Whiskey Sour
            2. Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide
            3. Year Zero
            4. Zodiac
            5. 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
            6. 1635: Cannon Law (Ring of Fire)
            7. Act of Treason (Mitch Rapp Novels)
            8. Adoption Literature for Children and Young Adults: An Annotated Bibliography (Bibliographies and Indexes in Sociology)
            9. Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 5)
            10. Among the Enemy (Shadow Children)

            Books Index

            Books Home

            Recommended Books

            1. Yeats: The Man and the Masks
            2. Service of All the Dead
            3. Iron Sunrise
            4. History: Fiction or Science
            5. Hollywood Special Effects with Adobe Premiere Elements 3
            6. Organic Chemistry 1 as a Second Language: Translating the Basic Concepts
            7. Roots of Strategy: The 5 Greatest Military Classics of All Time
            8. Herman: The SixthTreasury
            9. History: Fiction or Science
            10. Latvia Business Intelligence Report