Customer Reviews

The Ballistic Missile Threat Handbook

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Change "Handbook" to "Overview" and then the title would be more accurate. While nicely done and good at hitting the highlights, the book has a serious lack of detail. For those looking for some introductory quick facts, this book is just fine. If you need to know more, look elsewhere.

This particular book is an excellent, easy to read source of information on worldwide ballistic missile programs. The data is consistent with other sources, and it does a good job of detailing just how pervasive the ballistic missile threat is. Of particular use are the graphics that indicate which major cities and nations are threatened by each nation's missile programs, this brings the raw data into clear focus. Although I respect Mr. Spencer's work, the political leanings of the Heritage Foundation and their propensity to "preach to the converted" makes their stance a little hard to agree with. I would much prefer a more balanced, less politically-motivated presentation of the facts.

However, this does not lessen the importance of the data that is presented. It is clear, concise, and very affordable.

I am using this book as part of an Army War College research paper. It has an amazing amount of up-to-date, detailed, unclassified information on short range, medium range, and intercontinenetal ballistic missiles. Also it adds projections on missile proliferation through 2015 based on unclassified intelligence reports. If you need a resource on this subject with a conservative viewpoint, this is a must-read. I showed it to my son's girlfriend, who is a journalism major. She was shocked at what she did not know and asked why this information was not more public. I challenged her to write about it using this book as one of her sources.