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Imaginary Weapons: A Journey Through the Pentagon's Scientific Underworld
How did a fluke experiment in 1998, involving a used dental X-ray machine & a dubious sample of radioactive material, become the Pentagon's pet weapons project? It had been rejected by one of the Pentagon's most important advisory groups, but the Pentagon found an eccentric scientist who believed that a super isomer bomb could be built & deliver the punch of a two-kiloton nuke packaged in a hand grenade. Ideologues at the Pentagon claimed that the Russians were in the process of building one of their own & that the weapon was essential to the Pentagon's arsenal. Imaginary Weapons tells the story of the battle that ensued, pitting the nation's leading nuclear physicists against the Pentagon's top brass, & the military against nuclear arms control advocates, as funds & experiments for the "isomer weapon" miraculously reappeared even after the project had been shelved numerous times, even by Congress. This book also illuminates the dangerous trend that the Bush administration continues to follow of putting politics before science. The bomb is imaginary. The only explosion produced by the "isomer weapon" will leave a hole in the nation's budget & a fallout of the nation's best & brightest scientists.
276 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 8, 2014
I picked this one up at the annual Park Ridge Public Library sale, being attracted to indications that it would be about fringe science funded by federal agencies. In fact this book is primarily about The Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency under the second Bush administration and the quest, funded by DARPA and other elements of the Defense Department, for a new lethal megaweapon which would not come up under the various arms control agreements to which the USA was signatory. It is also about governmentally supported fringe science in general, there being some discussion of "Remote Viewing" and cold fusion in particular. The focus of this book, however, is on the case of the Hafnium isomer and the potential of Hafnium bombs.
While quite well written, this book is weak on the science. Even to my undeducated estimation the author appears to make some basic errors (as in her brief discussion of radioactive lethality as a function of half-life) of fact and never really explains the physics behind the arguments in the book. Indeed, she repeatedly points out her own incomprehension which, I presume, is partly feigned in order to allow the reader to identify with her narrative. Still, it reads quickly and does gives a clever, albeit anecdotal and not systemic, overview of the influence of political wishful thinking (and gross self-interest) on the processes of scientific research and technological development.
While quite well written, this book is weak on the science. Even to my undeducated estimation the author appears to make some basic errors (as in her brief discussion of radioactive lethality as a function of half-life) of fact and never really explains the physics behind the arguments in the book. Indeed, she repeatedly points out her own incomprehension which, I presume, is partly feigned in order to allow the reader to identify with her narrative. Still, it reads quickly and does gives a clever, albeit anecdotal and not systemic, overview of the influence of political wishful thinking (and gross self-interest) on the processes of scientific research and technological development.
January 10, 2024
Interesting investigative journalist review of DARPA activities.
July 25, 2017
Amusing and horrifying in the same moment. Excellent journalist stylist.
October 16, 2007
I really liked this book. The author goes to great pains to show not only how scientists can let personal feelings affect their results, and how this can effect not only military decisions, but public policy for a whole country. It's fascinating to watch the process unfold and see how politics can screw up even more the horribly complex process of peer-review. Fascinating!
December 2, 2019
A well written story how a charismatic egomaniac with a degree can milk DoD/DoE for prolonged periods. A story on politics and wishful thinking going against better judgement of scientific community.
Author did quite a bit of legwork with all the interviews and hunting for relevant people. Although sometimes scientific accuracy suffers, the text itself is well assembled and even witty to an extent. Reads a bit like a thriller, not a documentary.
At first helpful reminders on characters (who's who and does/did what) become a bit cumbersome when repeated for 4th or 5th time. A bit redundant, taking into account the fact, that in the intro section there's a list of most of the involved people with brief descriptions.
Author did quite a bit of legwork with all the interviews and hunting for relevant people. Although sometimes scientific accuracy suffers, the text itself is well assembled and even witty to an extent. Reads a bit like a thriller, not a documentary.
At first helpful reminders on characters (who's who and does/did what) become a bit cumbersome when repeated for 4th or 5th time. A bit redundant, taking into account the fact, that in the intro section there's a list of most of the involved people with brief descriptions.
July 9, 2023
To be honest, I really expected a lot more from this one. The story itself is good, but it gets lost in the back-and-forth of technical mumbo jumbo. That said, I think the author has her finger on the pulse of the problem(s), be it the “scientific underworld” or government overspending. For what it’s worth, this is a decent case study in how the government, left to its own devices, has no idea how to manage itself, let alone a budget.
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August 10, 2022Sharon Weinberger has done a wonderful job in exploring the folly of
chasing fantasies of some implausible future weapons--namely, the gamma ray laser and the halfnium bomb. The book explores the phenomonological flops of some creative physicists in their pursuits. The book is well worth the journey conducted by the author.
chasing fantasies of some implausible future weapons--namely, the gamma ray laser and the halfnium bomb. The book explores the phenomonological flops of some creative physicists in their pursuits. The book is well worth the journey conducted by the author.
November 25, 2025
"A jelly donut has about the same energy density as TNT."
December 15, 2025
We are 37 trillion dollars in debt and the American government is wasting money on silly stuff like this. This book shows that when a project gets started it is almost impossible to stop them.
February 13, 2016
I've never read a book quite like this one before. It was comedic, infuriating, interesting, baffling and eye opening. It's not very often that you find a book that opens a whole new world is such an engaging way. There is no conclusion, & no resolution. There was nothing the author could do about it either. In fact she did an excellent job of keeping what could have been a very dry and confusing issue very interesting. I really did enjoy it. There was one curse word.
Do halfnium isomers trigger or don't they?
Are the proponents of an isomer bomb incredibly farsighted defenders of freedom, or are they a bunch of paranoid conspiracy theorists?
Is the establishment out to cover up an earth shattering new discovery or are they just being pestered by one more crank?
Is a jelly doughnut more dangers than an isomer bomb?
Should we encourage North Korea to pursue it, or classify all isomer research?
Is an isomer bomb viable? now? later? never?
Will we look back and see this as the start of a new branch of physics, or look back and wonder why we wasted so much time and money on a crack pot theory?
Who does get the final say on where research funding goes? That I would have to say is the most important question of this book. Should it be politicians, who can't understand the science, or the scientists, who can't or won't agree on the issue? Where does peer review come in? How many naysayers is enough to stop a project?
It's really a very fun read about the constant struggle between scientist, scientists and politicians, scientists and intelligence agencies, scientists and the media, and scientists and the rest of us. There is enough humor to keep your interest, and not enough science make it unintelligible. So if you're looking for book that stands right on the line between sci-fi and reality. This is it, and it's all true. What could be better?
Do halfnium isomers trigger or don't they?
Are the proponents of an isomer bomb incredibly farsighted defenders of freedom, or are they a bunch of paranoid conspiracy theorists?
Is the establishment out to cover up an earth shattering new discovery or are they just being pestered by one more crank?
Is a jelly doughnut more dangers than an isomer bomb?
Should we encourage North Korea to pursue it, or classify all isomer research?
Is an isomer bomb viable? now? later? never?
Will we look back and see this as the start of a new branch of physics, or look back and wonder why we wasted so much time and money on a crack pot theory?
Who does get the final say on where research funding goes? That I would have to say is the most important question of this book. Should it be politicians, who can't understand the science, or the scientists, who can't or won't agree on the issue? Where does peer review come in? How many naysayers is enough to stop a project?
It's really a very fun read about the constant struggle between scientist, scientists and politicians, scientists and intelligence agencies, scientists and the media, and scientists and the rest of us. There is enough humor to keep your interest, and not enough science make it unintelligible. So if you're looking for book that stands right on the line between sci-fi and reality. This is it, and it's all true. What could be better?
March 18, 2008
Equal parts hilarious and terrifying. It focuses on one particular DARPA-funded project -- creating a bomb with the power of a nuclear weapon but small enough to carry in your briefcase (or under your turban?). A perfect storm of ignorant bureaucrats and military personnel (no doubt primed to ignore scientific consensus and peer review by decades of politicized science bashing), credulous journalists, a culture of secrecy in the Bush white House, and pathological science by a few outsider physicists (blinkered by combination of egoism, greed, and ambition) lead to multi-million dollar sink hole.
It would be funnier if anyone culpable was ever held accountable, but of course no one in Bush's government ever is. The terrifying part is (1) this weapon, dubbed the "nuclear hand grenade", would not only be worthless in normal military use but effective only as a terrorist weapon; (2) although the science behind the program is completely horseshit, funding continued, at least at the time of this book's publication; (3) foreign governments took the program seriously as it demonstrated our intent to skirt arms treaties (the mechanism of the weapon would technically be non-nuclear, although it uses radioactive materials).
About half way through I put this down for a few weeks, as it got very depressing, but it is still fascinating, and I'm glad i got back to it.
It would be funnier if anyone culpable was ever held accountable, but of course no one in Bush's government ever is. The terrifying part is (1) this weapon, dubbed the "nuclear hand grenade", would not only be worthless in normal military use but effective only as a terrorist weapon; (2) although the science behind the program is completely horseshit, funding continued, at least at the time of this book's publication; (3) foreign governments took the program seriously as it demonstrated our intent to skirt arms treaties (the mechanism of the weapon would technically be non-nuclear, although it uses radioactive materials).
About half way through I put this down for a few weeks, as it got very depressing, but it is still fascinating, and I'm glad i got back to it.
February 5, 2008
Weinberger traces the politics of an unorthodox bit of physics which proponents claim could lead to a new superweapon, and detractors say violates the laws of physics.
With a background in nuclear and physical chemistry as well as physics, I fall firmly in the later camp. As laid out in the book, the people who make funding decisions in the Pentagon do not share that education, and rely on Jack D. Ripper types whose paranoia lead them to chase fringe science like ESP, teleportation, and cold fusion.
The book does an excellent job of tracing the political machinations behind the controversial program. The only reason I rated it down was that it was obvious that she had not gotten a physicist to look over her manuscript, and many of her explanations of the physics were just wrong enough to be grating. The average reader will undoubtedly cruise through these passages (which are few) without notice.
With a background in nuclear and physical chemistry as well as physics, I fall firmly in the later camp. As laid out in the book, the people who make funding decisions in the Pentagon do not share that education, and rely on Jack D. Ripper types whose paranoia lead them to chase fringe science like ESP, teleportation, and cold fusion.
The book does an excellent job of tracing the political machinations behind the controversial program. The only reason I rated it down was that it was obvious that she had not gotten a physicist to look over her manuscript, and many of her explanations of the physics were just wrong enough to be grating. The average reader will undoubtedly cruise through these passages (which are few) without notice.
January 14, 2013
This book uses the story of "isomer weapons" as a way to tell the story of how the U.S. military pursues new weapons technology. The isomer weapon would theoretically produce more damage than chemical weapons can, without some of the disadvantages of nuclear weapons. However, as Weinberger documents there was very little evidence that isomer weapons would be technically feasible.
However, I wish that this book had been given a once-over by a scientist or two before publication. I noticed several minor errors that, while they did not affect the conclusions of the book, were still jarring to this reader. One example is use of the phrase "existence of proof" when "existence proof" is intended; another example is the treatment of the idea of satellites in solar orbit as ridiculous.
However, I wish that this book had been given a once-over by a scientist or two before publication. I noticed several minor errors that, while they did not affect the conclusions of the book, were still jarring to this reader. One example is use of the phrase "existence of proof" when "existence proof" is intended; another example is the treatment of the idea of satellites in solar orbit as ridiculous.
August 1, 2007
An interesting read about the government's involvement in (i.e. funding for) fringe science concepts. Not a great book, but worth checking out if you're interested in physics research and/or the Department of Defense.
February 18, 2015
Entertaining history of hafnium bombs. She writes on the crazy intersection of science,crackpots, politics, corruption, and national security. How pseudo-science thrives in darkness in the climate of fear.
September 8, 2008
Not sure this is an actual must-read, but I think you should read this.
It's all true and all unbelievable.
It's all true and all unbelievable.
April 23, 2008
Read this twice - last year and this year. Where do your tax dollars go? To people building fake nuclear weapons from dental x-ray equipment. No shit.
January 8, 2010
really a great story of how the damndest of concepts can
be funded when promoted by well placed individuals
be funded when promoted by well placed individuals
September 7, 2010
I read the first 50 or so pages amd found it slow-going and, contrary to my expectatiin, not a very interesting read.
April 19, 2016
Chapters 1-14 cover this imaginary weapon: the hafnium bomb. But the book has only 14 chapters, so let’s change the title to “Imaginary weapon”.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews