From Crossbow to H.Bomb

by Bernard Brodie, Fawn M. Brodie, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza

" . . . offers the quickest way I know to acquire the basic historical background that we ought all to have." —Louis J. Halle, Survival

This classic in the field of military history covers weaponry from Archimedes' catapult down to MIRV and the ABM, emphasizes the contributions of science to warfare, and includes an extensive new chapter on the weapons of the nuclear age.

Genres: History, War, Nonfiction, Military History, Military Fiction, Technology, Science

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Bernard Brodie was an American military strategist well known for establishing the basics of nuclear strategy. Known as "the American Clausewitz," and "the original nuclear strategist," he was an initial architect of nuclear deterrence strategy and tried to ascertain the role and value of nuclear weapons after their creation.

Reviews

[Kerrick]

Not sure yet, most military histories are pretty stagnant reading but this one covers such a wide portion of years and so far the authors cadence had kept me entertained

[Michael Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad it is to contemplate, but the major emphasis of science during most of mankind's history, and especially science as influenced by or impacted by government, has been on weaponry.
How to kill, and preferably to kill as many as possible, has been the object of what we can call in the most general term "science" and even philosophy, which formerly was the word used to encompass all fields of learning, and that statement might be enough to make a cynic out of most of us.
Bernard and Fawn M. Brodie have produced a fascinating, and not too morbid, work of history of weapons, from the most primitive to the most sophisticated -- and horrifying.
While farmers were still using sticks to plant and harvest, armies, or even just barely organized bands, were using fancier tools to kill and destroy.
Chemistry was harnessed to create shooting flames, rather than to create medicines or means of transport.
This really is an interesting, even a fascinating look at one aspect of history and the Brodies deserve a lot of praise for what they've done and how they've done it.
"From Crossbow to H Bomb" is a book a writer might want to keep handy as a reference and guide, but it will be of interest to anyone interested in military history, and we might get a good inkling of just why the human race has not progressed further.

[Jerimy Stoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very dry and informative book about the progression of weapons and scientists. Not all weapons were invented by scientists, but rather necessity. I recommend this book to those interested in the history of science, military history, war, and possible weapons.

[Grindy Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

The authors say this book is about the application of science to warfare, but it's just a laundry list of factoids devoid of analysis or insight. Good for trivia buffs looking to reinforce their arsenal of useless knowledge, worthless for anyone else.