War Stars: The Superweapon and the American Imagination
A searing and penetrating history of the American obsession with finding a technology that will end wars forever -- and our conviction that, unlike other nations, we can be trusted not to misuse weapons of mass annihilation. Its analysis of American fiction and films provides a new dimension to the subject.(Carl Sagan)War Stars, a penetrating and often disturbing study of why we create superweapons in the pursuit of 'security and peace,' places our culture on the analyst's couch.(New York Times)In War Stars, H. Bruce Franklin writes American history from a new angle. It astonished me -- but it was totally convincing throughout.(Isaac Asimov)In this carefully researched and revealing inquiry into American cultural history, Bruce Franklin brings to light themes of great significance. One is the fear that we are about to be destroyed, and at the last minute are saved, miraculously, by a superweapon or superhero. More ominously, in his words, 'the American imperial eagle' commonly turns out to be 'a bird that habitually views its own behavior as "defense" against its prey.' Unless this pathology is understood and overcome, it will continue to cause great harm, which we will not escape.(Noam Chomsky)War Stars is so crammed with fascinating facts and ideas that it should interest people of all political persuasions. It should be required reading.(Bulletin of Atomic Scientists)A marvelous study that weaves together some of the most important developments in US military history, a survey of popular literature, and an overview of American culture.... The story of America's conversion to belief in the efficacy of air power... is told better here than anywhere else. No source provides so profound a historical perspective.(Choice)