Tomorrow's War: The Threat of High-Technology Weapons

Shukman, BBC-TV's chief European correspondent, argues that the world is standing on the edge of a breakthrough in warfare unprecedented since the introduction of gunpowder. An information revolution based on computer and communication technologies is being complemented by militarily applicable developments in chemistry and biology, laser technology and nonlethal weaponry. Shukman takes his readers through the laboratories, onto the testing grounds and into the field in Britain, Russia and the U.S. to show the potential of the new tools of war and the risks of ignoring them. He warns especially against balancing military budgets by reducing research and development funds, even if the projects seem arcane. Neither a scientist nor a soldier, Shukman tends to accept claims made for technical innovations at face value. A certain critical distance would have significantly improved the book. Nevertheless, this is a useful popular introduction to one plausible path warfare may take. (Mar.)