Origins of SDI 1944-1983
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€36.50
A01=Donald R. Baucom
A01=Richard W. Leopold Prize
ABI
antiballistic missile systems
Author_Donald R. Baucom
Author_Richard W. Leopold Prize
ballistic missile defense
BDM
Category=JW
Category=NH
DEWs
directed energy weapons
eq_bestseller
eq_history
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
ICBMs
intercontinental ballistic missiles
Modern War Studies series
SAFEGUARD
SALT I
SALT II
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
Strategic Defense Initiative
Product details
- ISBN 9780700611003
- Weight: 333g
- Dimensions: 152 x 228mm
- Publication Date: 27 Jul 1992
- Publisher: University Press of Kansas
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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Most people think Star Wars was Reagan's idea, but its roots reach decades farther back. Military historian Don Baucom traces them to the dawn of the atomic age in 1944.
In this first scholarly account of the origins of SDI, Baucom brings together the political, technological, and strategic forces that have shaped the history of ballistic missile defenses from World War II to the present day. He chronicles major technological developments and shows how SDI emerged in 1983 from the technological and strategic legacies of the ICBM, ABM, SALT, and SAFEGUARD programs.
Surprisingly, Baucom concludes that arms control was the primary impetus for Star Wars. He argues that the SDI program grew out of Reagan's desire to see the country defended against nuclear attack, his strong faith in technology, his concern about the impact of Soviet SS-18 missiles, and most importantly, his realization that the policy of offensive nuclear deterrence was increasingly unpopular.
The Origins of SDI is not an evaluation of the Star Wars program. Instead, it is both the story of a policy and a case study of presidential decision making. Baucom bases his conclusions on historical research as well as interviews with the participants in the decision making process. As a result, he provides both the broad historical context for the emergence of Star Wars program and an insider's account, unique in its level of detail, of presidential decision making and the search for consensus.
In this first scholarly account of the origins of SDI, Baucom brings together the political, technological, and strategic forces that have shaped the history of ballistic missile defenses from World War II to the present day. He chronicles major technological developments and shows how SDI emerged in 1983 from the technological and strategic legacies of the ICBM, ABM, SALT, and SAFEGUARD programs.
Surprisingly, Baucom concludes that arms control was the primary impetus for Star Wars. He argues that the SDI program grew out of Reagan's desire to see the country defended against nuclear attack, his strong faith in technology, his concern about the impact of Soviet SS-18 missiles, and most importantly, his realization that the policy of offensive nuclear deterrence was increasingly unpopular.
The Origins of SDI is not an evaluation of the Star Wars program. Instead, it is both the story of a policy and a case study of presidential decision making. Baucom bases his conclusions on historical research as well as interviews with the participants in the decision making process. As a result, he provides both the broad historical context for the emergence of Star Wars program and an insider's account, unique in its level of detail, of presidential decision making and the search for consensus.
Lieutenant Colonel Donald R. Baucom is associate historian for NASA's Space Station History Project. He has taught military history and science, technology, and warfare at the Air Force Academy; served as historian at the Office of Air Force History and the Air War College; and directed the Airpower Research Institute.
