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Pursuit of the Shield

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As a student of National Security, and as somebody who currently works on the National Missile Defense program, "Pursuit Of The Shield" is simply the finest resource available on the history of missile defense. As this volume concentrates on the history of limited missile defense systems, the first half of the book focuses on the early missile defense efforts and the Sentinel program as well as the Gulf War and the debate surrounding the landmark Missile Defense Act of 1991. This legislation and the debate that produced it became the blueprint for tactical and national missile defense programs throughout the Clinton administration. Today's architecture is a direct result of both the technological and political past -- framed by the historical account of the Gulf War and the Missile Defense Act of 1991.

The latter half of the book discusses today's threat environment and Mr. McMahon's vision for missile defense. I have to admit that I disagree with Mr. McMahon's assertion that any future missile defense system should be a cooperative effort between the US and Russia. This point, however, does not detract from my love of this book. It is exhaustively researched and Mr. McMahon's analysis is first rate. Today's missile defense debate usually lacks the correct historical context. This book is a must-have if you're looking to fully underatand the debate surrounding the National Missile Defense system.