Bomb Squads (Motorbooks Power) [Paperback]

S. F. Tomajczyk (Author), Stephen F. Tomajczyk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1999 | Series: Motorbooks Power

The history of Explosive Ordnance Disposal and how the evolution of these specialized police units has paralleled the rise of global terrorism are revealed in this fascinating study. The technology of bomb disposal, including tools and training, is explained in detail as the author goes on the job with elite bomb squads around the nation. Photos depict the aftermath of bomb blasts, bombs being defused, and specialized equipment and vehicles. Also examined are bomb-sniffing dogs and how bomb squads are addressing the threats of nuclear and biological weapons.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760305609
• ISBN-13: 978-0760305607
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,319,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to bomb squad people and equipment, May 15, 2001

By 

Peter (California, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bomb Squads (Motorbooks Power) (Paperback)

Like most Motorbooks, this book is not the definitive "bible" about the bomb squad. It is a great combination of information about the people, training, equipment, and units that make up the United States' various bomb squads from military to police to government.

The book is entirely U.S. There is no information on foreign bomb squads.

Covered in this book are bomb squads of the US Capitol Police, ATF, FBI, Secret Service, Montgomery County, NEST (US anti-nuclear terrorism), Biological and Chemical Response, and Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

The book has a few famous and lesser know bomb stories to tell but mostly the book covers the training, equipment, and resources used by the above bomb squads.

A section about bomb-sniffing dogs and robots is very informative and interesting and how these dogs are trained and how the different US Government Law Enforcement agencies use different dogs, dog training, and bomb robots.

Not covered in-depth are policies and procedures, operations, methods, and various approaches to dismantling bombs, obviously for security reasons. I found it didn't really detract from the book but some equipment and areas do get a brief "gloss over" such as this is a XYZ detector and does this. But the reader may wonder if it works and how well or is just an expensive toy that needs ABC detector to scan this other area.

The author does stress pros and cons of what does and doesn't work, such as devices, dogs, bomb suits and the like. Great info and insight. The top-secret stuff is more vague as to its effectiveness.

Also covered are bomb vehicles and bomb container trailers used but there isn't a lot of photos on them or of their interior for obvious security reasons. I did find the information a very good overview.

I found this book insightful and interesting as a first-hand primer. I strongly recommend buying it before anyone buys a book on Bomb Squad stories. It'll help the reader understand the units and equipment used.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT overview, September 24, 2001

By 

Shawn Hughes "still prefers paper to pdf" (near Oak Ridge, Tenn.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bomb Squads (Motorbooks Power) (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful initial look into Explosive Ordnance Disposal or Public Safety Bomb Technician work. I would highly recommend this book for a younger reader, or a person who could appreciate the photography, some of which aren't found anywhere else.
This book would also be good for media or executive - types who need a basic working knowledge of what goes on, but not at a technical operations level. This book is basically a VIP tour of a typical Hazardous Devices Unit. Mr. Tomajczyk REALLY did his homework.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great information for an author, January 17, 2012

By 

Lena J. Diaz (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bomb Squads (Motorbooks Power) (Paperback)

This book is small, but packed with information. It has the background, terminology, and day-to-day details that are extremely helpful to writers (like me). At the same time, it doesn't get so heavy into details that it's difficult to read. The only drawback is that it was written pre-911. I hope the author writes an updated version to show us how things have changed since that day. The book is 128 pages, if you count the Index. There is a glossary of terms as well, which I found extremely helpful. Pictures show basic protective gear and bomb tech tools - again, very helpful. I would definitely recommend this book to an author looking for some basic information about bomb techs.