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The Warhead: The Quest to Build the Perfect Weapon in the Age of Modern Warfare
From award-winning journalist and coauthor of The 15:17 to Paris, an affecting human history of the first self-steering bomb
Paveway, the first "smart" bomb, was created to be a more precise and ostensibly humane weapon, reducing civilian casualties. The true impact of the bomb, however, is ever more complex and unpredictable.
In The Warhead, Jeffrey Stern tells the story of Paveway through the lives of seven interconnected stories. They're stories of Nazis, Kennedys, Operation Paperclip, and Walt Disney; of the Apollo mission and the space shuttle Challenger disaster. Paveway inadvertently sparked the personal computing revolution and the adoption of GPS, it ushered in the era of modern warfare, and it shows up at critical historical moments throughout the last half century.
At once revelatory and deeply human, The Warhead unearths the complicated truth behind one of the most significant weapons of our time.
Paveway, the first "smart" bomb, was created to be a more precise and ostensibly humane weapon, reducing civilian casualties. The true impact of the bomb, however, is ever more complex and unpredictable.
In The Warhead, Jeffrey Stern tells the story of Paveway through the lives of seven interconnected stories. They're stories of Nazis, Kennedys, Operation Paperclip, and Walt Disney; of the Apollo mission and the space shuttle Challenger disaster. Paveway inadvertently sparked the personal computing revolution and the adoption of GPS, it ushered in the era of modern warfare, and it shows up at critical historical moments throughout the last half century.
At once revelatory and deeply human, The Warhead unearths the complicated truth behind one of the most significant weapons of our time.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 20, 2026
10 people are currently reading
2874 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey E. Stern
5 books30 followersJeffrey E. Stern is an award-winning journalist and the author of four books, including The 15:17 to Paris, which was adapted as a major motion picture by Clint Eastwood and Warner Brothers, and The Last Thousand: One School’s Promise in a Nation at War, an honorable mention for best book of the year by Library Journal. Stern co-wrote and produced the award-winning independent film Yasmeen’s Element, which premiered at the SXSW film festival and was named a “best of the fest.” He has been named a graduate fellow at the Stanford Center for International Conflict and Negotiation and a grantee of the Pulitzer Center Fellow for Crisis Reporting. Stern’s reporting has appeared in magazines such as The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, and The Atlantic.
Stern has appeared on PBS NewsHour, The Lead with Jake Tapper on CNN, NPR’s Morning Edition, and MSNBC's Morning Joe. He has received the Overseas Press Club award for best human rights reporting in any medium, the Amnesty International award for foreign reporting, and was part of The New York Times team that won the 2019 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in international journalism for coverage of the war in Yemen. He is a founding board member of The 30 Birds Foundation (https://www.30birdsfoundation.org/) and The Bamyan Foundation (https://bamyanfoundation.org/).
Stern has appeared on PBS NewsHour, The Lead with Jake Tapper on CNN, NPR’s Morning Edition, and MSNBC's Morning Joe. He has received the Overseas Press Club award for best human rights reporting in any medium, the Amnesty International award for foreign reporting, and was part of The New York Times team that won the 2019 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in international journalism for coverage of the war in Yemen. He is a founding board member of The 30 Birds Foundation (https://www.30birdsfoundation.org/) and The Bamyan Foundation (https://bamyanfoundation.org/).
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 15, 2026
I won this book in a giveaway and immediately passed it along to my husband. It had an exciting narrative and really blended all of the different pov's together to keep it flowing. Was really well written.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for an advance copy of this book that is both a history of the last 60 years in warfare, and the biography on a weapon system that was to change warfare, one that has given us a multitude of technologies, but one that has also been responsible for the taking of many, many lives.
I can remember what books made me interested in reading various genres. The Hobbit made me want to read more fantasy books, the book 6 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, introduced me to mysteries, genres I still have an interest in today. I am not sure where my love of history came from, but I have an idea. There was a book in my middle school library I know I took out quite a few times. I can still see the cover, though the author and title are still lost to me. It was a juvenile reader dealing with the Doolittle raids over Japan. The cover featured a bomber, and in the background a city adorned with the plumes of explosions. World War II was my entry point, and one that stayed with me for quite a while, until I began to read more different kinds of history in high school and college. Reading military history did not fill me with jingoistic thoughts. Combined with my love of men's adventure, and odd fiction stories, I think it might have made me more cynical, less trusting of might makes right, and the idea of kill em all, let God or Gods sort them out. Reading this book, a biography on a weapon system, combined with the history of those who developed, used or had the bomb used on them, reinforces the power that reading and understanding the past can have. And why we seemed so doomed to make mistakes because of our fear of looking back. The Warhead: The Quest to Build the Perfect Weapon in the Age of Modern Warfare by journalist and writer Jeffrey E. Stern is the story of the crafting of a weapon that would change warfare, foreign policy, give birth to many helpful new devices for humans, and would lead to the death of many, many people.
The book begins with a bit of human interest about the author working as a journalist in a war zone, and about meeting a woman, working as a hospice nurse for his father whose life was changed by a missile designed to change war, keep its operators safe, and kill smartly. From there the author introduces the idea of smart weapons, starting with a plane flown by a scion of a famous family, meant to destroy the missiles that were bombing London during the Second World War. These missiles were later used by America who with their Nazi designer helped put America into space. As technology advanced so did the their use in weaponry. Texas Instruments was a small technology firm that had an employee who not only had a good idea, but the gumption to sell it to a disinterested military. A bomb that used small chips and a laser to focus on a target, keeping the pilot safe, the damage minimized, instead of the carpet bombing idea that seemed not to be working in the new war theater of Vietnam. An idea that came in cheap, and even better successful. The book follows the bomb, the technology that was developed, and the the way that America changed its foreign policy ideas.
A fascinating look at events in war from the start of the Vietnam war to today. Not just a technology book, or a war book, but one that looks at the human factor. The people who made the bomb, used the bomb, the presidents that formed policy based on the bomb. And the humans under the bomb. Stern is a very good writer, able to write about transistors, bombing runs, and life in countries that many forget where once around, or that America once bombed, and why. Much more of a book than I expected, with lots of famous names, and lots of information that I never thought of. Stern ties in little things, little things that lead to counties falling the rise of Al Qadea, ISIS, and all sorts of little explosions that changed history, some due to the use of smart bombs. The writing is very good, with a real appreciation as I said, of the human cost.
A book that I learned quite a bit from, and one that I enjoyed far more than I thought. A book with a cast ranging from pilots, peaceniks, bomb makers and suicide bombers. A book that left me thinking about quite a lot of things. And a book that will stay with me. I look forward to more by Jeffery Stern.
I can remember what books made me interested in reading various genres. The Hobbit made me want to read more fantasy books, the book 6 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, introduced me to mysteries, genres I still have an interest in today. I am not sure where my love of history came from, but I have an idea. There was a book in my middle school library I know I took out quite a few times. I can still see the cover, though the author and title are still lost to me. It was a juvenile reader dealing with the Doolittle raids over Japan. The cover featured a bomber, and in the background a city adorned with the plumes of explosions. World War II was my entry point, and one that stayed with me for quite a while, until I began to read more different kinds of history in high school and college. Reading military history did not fill me with jingoistic thoughts. Combined with my love of men's adventure, and odd fiction stories, I think it might have made me more cynical, less trusting of might makes right, and the idea of kill em all, let God or Gods sort them out. Reading this book, a biography on a weapon system, combined with the history of those who developed, used or had the bomb used on them, reinforces the power that reading and understanding the past can have. And why we seemed so doomed to make mistakes because of our fear of looking back. The Warhead: The Quest to Build the Perfect Weapon in the Age of Modern Warfare by journalist and writer Jeffrey E. Stern is the story of the crafting of a weapon that would change warfare, foreign policy, give birth to many helpful new devices for humans, and would lead to the death of many, many people.
The book begins with a bit of human interest about the author working as a journalist in a war zone, and about meeting a woman, working as a hospice nurse for his father whose life was changed by a missile designed to change war, keep its operators safe, and kill smartly. From there the author introduces the idea of smart weapons, starting with a plane flown by a scion of a famous family, meant to destroy the missiles that were bombing London during the Second World War. These missiles were later used by America who with their Nazi designer helped put America into space. As technology advanced so did the their use in weaponry. Texas Instruments was a small technology firm that had an employee who not only had a good idea, but the gumption to sell it to a disinterested military. A bomb that used small chips and a laser to focus on a target, keeping the pilot safe, the damage minimized, instead of the carpet bombing idea that seemed not to be working in the new war theater of Vietnam. An idea that came in cheap, and even better successful. The book follows the bomb, the technology that was developed, and the the way that America changed its foreign policy ideas.
A fascinating look at events in war from the start of the Vietnam war to today. Not just a technology book, or a war book, but one that looks at the human factor. The people who made the bomb, used the bomb, the presidents that formed policy based on the bomb. And the humans under the bomb. Stern is a very good writer, able to write about transistors, bombing runs, and life in countries that many forget where once around, or that America once bombed, and why. Much more of a book than I expected, with lots of famous names, and lots of information that I never thought of. Stern ties in little things, little things that lead to counties falling the rise of Al Qadea, ISIS, and all sorts of little explosions that changed history, some due to the use of smart bombs. The writing is very good, with a real appreciation as I said, of the human cost.
A book that I learned quite a bit from, and one that I enjoyed far more than I thought. A book with a cast ranging from pilots, peaceniks, bomb makers and suicide bombers. A book that left me thinking about quite a lot of things. And a book that will stay with me. I look forward to more by Jeffery Stern.
November 7, 2025
"The Warhead: The Quest to Build the Perfect Weapon in the Age of Modern Warfare" is a timely book by Jeffrey E. Stern that addresses the vexed history of the perfection of the first generations of Guided Bombs. It will be published under the Dutton imprint, and I am working from an ARC graciously provided to me by the publisher. This book is both timely (think about the Trump administration's use of smart weapons, including drones, against recent threats from Venezuela) and useful in looking at the complex interactions that occur in what President Eisenhower famously characterized as the Military Industrial Complex. In examining the circumstances that produced this kind of weapon, the author ranges all the way back to the infamous "Operation Paperclip*(which was the operation used to identify German scientists and technicians to be protected from their dubious pasts and brought to the United States for our own purposes) as well as the kind of threats that became most clear in Vietnam and provided the most immediate impetus to pursue this kind of research. It is a riveting and often startling read that the author's formidable skills as a writer and thinker propels along like a popular novel. The key to this book is understanding that it ranges far afield in attempting, very successfully, to place these kinds of smart weapons in the context of their times and the military and industrial entities that interacted to create them. I, for example, had never made the connection between Texas Instruments and these weapons; consequently, when the author carefully revealed the critical links between TI and these kinds of guided bombs and their descendants, it fundamentally altered my understanding of the technological revolution even now manifesting itself through the quest for AI and the far from complete understanding of its implications for both our nation and the future of mankind, specifically in the military sphere.. It belongs in every public library as it is well written and generally well balanced. Anyone trying to understand the complex relationships and nexus between perceived threats and profits and how they bear on the creation of a whole new class of weapons that have, as the author demonstrates again and again, changed political, tactical and strategic approaches to crisis response needs to read this book. It is a revelation!
December 8, 2025
The Warhead by Jeffrey E Stern is a history book that will appeal to both history buffs as well as those who want the human side of history.
The development of guided weapons, from missiles to drones, is told largely through the lives of those the weapons development made easier and safer. A little nod is given to those whose lives are destroyed or permanently disrupted by removing the human element from killing people. No matter where you stand on the ethics of de-humanized killing, this book is an excellent read.
The narratives for each section focus on a person who will be affected by the next step in the "progress" of creating ever more guided and remote-controlled weapons. You spend part of the time on the edge of your seat with the personal narrative and part of the time with the actual development of the weapons, both the technical and the political aspects.
While definitely a must read for military history fans I think many readers who prefer fiction but want to read more nonfiction will enjoy this book a lot. There is plenty in the text itself and the end notes to direct readers to further information in any areas they find most compelling.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
The development of guided weapons, from missiles to drones, is told largely through the lives of those the weapons development made easier and safer. A little nod is given to those whose lives are destroyed or permanently disrupted by removing the human element from killing people. No matter where you stand on the ethics of de-humanized killing, this book is an excellent read.
The narratives for each section focus on a person who will be affected by the next step in the "progress" of creating ever more guided and remote-controlled weapons. You spend part of the time on the edge of your seat with the personal narrative and part of the time with the actual development of the weapons, both the technical and the political aspects.
While definitely a must read for military history fans I think many readers who prefer fiction but want to read more nonfiction will enjoy this book a lot. There is plenty in the text itself and the end notes to direct readers to further information in any areas they find most compelling.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
December 25, 2025
Excellent! Basically a history of how the Pathway(s) bombs were envisioned,planned,created and modified as the years went by. Easy to understand,concise, informative,innovative but sad,in a way,to know the purpose of it in warfare.Using the Pathways with drones and basically mostly computerized saves the killing/mutilations of soldiers on the ground,airplanes being shot down,etc but still brutal in many ways when civilians are killed,even by accident along with the enemy soldiers.Twenty percent of the book are footnotes therefore it’s not really 416 pages if long books are not your thing.I highly recommend it.
Thank you Netgalley,Dutton Publishers,and author,Jeffrey E. Stern for the opportunity to read the nf ebook,The Warhead.
On sale January 20,2026
Thank you Netgalley,Dutton Publishers,and author,Jeffrey E. Stern for the opportunity to read the nf ebook,The Warhead.
On sale January 20,2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Warhead is a Herculean effort, superbly researched and written, and a definite 2026 must read.
While ostensibly about the invention of the Paveway (world's first smart bomb), it's actually so much more. I'm not exaggerating when I say I couldn't put it down. It's nonfiction with the pacing of a thriller and the heart of literary fiction as it traces numerous human interest stories of people connected to Paveway, either because they built it, they deployed it, or they suffered the consequences of it. It shows there's no such thing as "clean" war and human tragedy often hits closer to home/the world is smaller than we realize.
Everyone should read this book, but especially those interested in understanding the human cost of modern warfare.
While ostensibly about the invention of the Paveway (world's first smart bomb), it's actually so much more. I'm not exaggerating when I say I couldn't put it down. It's nonfiction with the pacing of a thriller and the heart of literary fiction as it traces numerous human interest stories of people connected to Paveway, either because they built it, they deployed it, or they suffered the consequences of it. It shows there's no such thing as "clean" war and human tragedy often hits closer to home/the world is smaller than we realize.
Everyone should read this book, but especially those interested in understanding the human cost of modern warfare.
February 16, 2026
Excellent book! I was completely surprised how much I liked this book. Not at all dry, or plodding.
It's the history of the original laser guided bombs, the Paveway. From it's introduction in Vietnam, right up to today. And of the people who developed the bomb, starting with Texas Instruments in the 1970's. Amazing stories of hurdles encountered, hoops jumped through, political maneuvering, science breakthroughs, and personal achievements. The entire book flowed along so well, that I was surprised when I reached the end. Easily readable, packed with interesting information. This one was a hit (no pun intended)!
It's the history of the original laser guided bombs, the Paveway. From it's introduction in Vietnam, right up to today. And of the people who developed the bomb, starting with Texas Instruments in the 1970's. Amazing stories of hurdles encountered, hoops jumped through, political maneuvering, science breakthroughs, and personal achievements. The entire book flowed along so well, that I was surprised when I reached the end. Easily readable, packed with interesting information. This one was a hit (no pun intended)!
January 21, 2026
The Warhead is a history of how the Pathway(s) bombs were envisioned,planned,created and modified, but also how it touched so much more. Nazis, Kennedys, Operation Paperclip, and Walt Disney; of the Apollo mission and the space shuttle Challenger disaster are all connected to the Pathway. This book isn’t something I would normally pick up, but glad I had the chance to read it. I enjoyed to learn how so much was connected.
Thank you, Dutton and NetGalley. #TheWarhead #NetGalley
Thank you, Dutton and NetGalley. #TheWarhead #NetGalley
January 28, 2026
A fast take on the creation of the smart bomb and all the pieces that connect to the necessity of bombs. It’s the story of the creation of the bomb, but also its creators and those that are affected by its use. It’s told through history and hits on many of the biggest events in the world. For those events I remember, it really resonates and brings a human face to war. Thanks to NetGalley for the read.
March 4, 2026
Not what I was looking for. An excellent job of blending weapons (laser guided bombs) and the people who created them, used them, and were affected by them. I was looking for something more technical (I worked on these weapons back in the 1970's). That said, I was enamored by the people stories: an interesting assortment of perspectives and thoughts.
March 21, 2026
I read this book while the United States used thousands of precision weapons against Iranian targets. The author’s approach is unique in that he discussed the development of these weapons within the human context of both inventors, pilots, and victims. I thought the inclusion of the German rocket scientists and his parent’s caregiver (a refugee from Kosovo) were weak. I wish he had spent more discussion on the WW II mass destruction by AirPower and the evolution to precision delivery of weapons and the morality of drone strikes. Much food for thought.
March 23, 2026
Stern is a marvelous storyteller. I thought I was going to read a story of the invention of Paveway but the book is much more than that; it’s an interwoven narrative spanning Vietnam, Libya, Iraq, and more.Stern uncovers a lot of connections that might otherwise have remained unknown to me, and his writing and pacing are both excellent.
February 19, 2026
Brilliant! Snapshots of story bits from different wars and the invention and usage of innovative weaponry. How they were used during the time of recent history and how we progressed to today. A great read to immerse yourself in snippets of knowledge of what really happened to real people.
November 1, 2025
An excellent historical and analytical review of modern weapons and consequences.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews