They are on the cutting edge of technology--the top-secret, billion-dollar instruments of super-power espionage. They are spy satellites--the means by which the super-pwers keep tabs on each other in the deep black of space. "Excellent . . . Highly recommended!"--Booklist. HC: Villard.
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By J. Page
Format:Mass Market Paperback
There are very few books that define a genre - Mr. William Burrow's, "Deep Black" is one of those amazing 'trend setting' books that will always remain a classic. Being one of the earliest books that mention surveillance and reconnaissance satellites, "Deep Black" scared the pants off of most involved in the black world of space. Many books have followed in the two decades since Deep Black - even so, this is worth a place on your bookshelf.
The book is very outdated (publication date: 1986), however, it has tremendous use as a history book of the technological and political systems at play during the 1950s to the mid-1980s. These tales form the basis of most introductory chapters of the slew of Discoverer/CORONA books that hit the shelves in the 1990s. Mr. Burrows has done a great job piercing through the veil of secrecy surrounding these systems. There may be various errors in fact from certain satellite systems or flights, but due to the heavy secrecy *STILL* surrounding those systems, he's done exceptional work.
**Certified Space Professional Specific**: if you are a CSP, GET THIS BOOK. You might be working on the replacements for most of these systems, and a good foundation into the history of these satellites and the politics surrounding their inception will help you get an edge over your 'less-motivated' peers.
The book is very outdated (publication date: 1986), however, it has tremendous use as a history book of the technological and political systems at play during the 1950s to the mid-1980s. These tales form the basis of most introductory chapters of the slew of Discoverer/CORONA books that hit the shelves in the 1990s. Mr. Burrows has done a great job piercing through the veil of secrecy surrounding these systems. There may be various errors in fact from certain satellite systems or flights, but due to the heavy secrecy *STILL* surrounding those systems, he's done exceptional work.
**Certified Space Professional Specific**: if you are a CSP, GET THIS BOOK. You might be working on the replacements for most of these systems, and a good foundation into the history of these satellites and the politics surrounding their inception will help you get an edge over your 'less-motivated' peers.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Simply the definitive book on US intelligence-gathering from air-vehicles, space-borne platforms and sub-surface systems. Burroughs work is thorough and informative. Though now dated by more than a decade's worth of technological improvements, the basics of intelligence and counter-intelligence systems are well-covered here. The sections on aircraft (RC-135, U-2, TR-1, A-12, SR-71) and satellites are simply fascinating.
GREAT photo section in the middle of the book, with pictures of the Russians' Black Com 2 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier under construction (KH-11 pic), a nice pic of an SR-71 in flight, an F-15 launching an ASAT weapon (30,000mph terminal speed!) and much more.
It's a shame this book is out-of-print. It would be nice to see a limited production run, perhaps a new edition. Mr. Burroughs, how about "Deep Black 2, The Next Generation"?
I have been fortunate enough to collect several hardcover editions of this book, including "like new" copies. I prefer the larger hardcover, but I miss my paperback copy which has disappeared. These are becoming collector's items, so if you find a decent copy at a good price, grab it!!! (I have several copies in my collection!!!)
This book, like most others, can be found in both the paperback and hardcover edition. I had the paperback first, but now prefer the hardcover edition. It does seem like the paperback is harder to find though.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This book gives an in-depth look at air borne surveillance starting with the planes and cameras of WW II and ends with the techno-marvels that are flying today. It should appeal not only to the high-tech crowd, but also to students of recent history, for it describes how the knowledge collected by planes and satellites influenced the course of political events. Deep Black is a wonderful blend of technology and history and is very well written
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real History
If you want to know real American History from the early 1960's....it was a scary time....read this.
Life was very different back then. Read more
Life was very different back then. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J. Bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent, if dated, reference
As other reviewers have noted, this is probably the single best reference on space-based reconnaissance and espionage ever published. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Michael J. Edelman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliantly Researched and Amazing
This book is about cutting edge technologies used to surveill from outer space, fight from the ground, and attack from the air. Read more
Published on August 29, 2010 by laz_254
5.0 out of 5 stars
Politics vs Intelligence
A country can have the best intelligence systems in the world, and the best trained unbiased analysis, but when one puts politics in the mix, all the training goes out the... Read more
Published on May 22, 2009 by Vonusa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nearly Perfect
A nearly perfect accounting of the development and growth of our advanced intelligence gathering capabilities after the 2nd world war, so accurate it could certainly pass for... Read more
Published on November 14, 2007 by Verigam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Reconnaissance Review
Simply the definitive book on US intelligence-gathering from air-vehicles, space-borne platforms and sub-surface systems. Burroughs work is thorough and informative. Read more
Published on July 17, 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Reconnaissance Review
Simply the definitive book on US intelligence-gathering from air-vehicles, space-borne platforms and sub-surface systems. Burroughs work is thorough and informative. Read more
Published on July 17, 2000 by the_review_guy
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Real Truth
Do you really want to know what the U.S. Goverment does behind closed doors ? How many nations do we have our fingers in ?? Answer: ALL OF THEM. Read more
Published on March 27, 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and informative
Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. Being a fan of the fiction of Tom Clancy it's awesome to read about the reality of spies and their technology. Read more
Published on August 14, 1998
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
