referencebooks

The Language of Nuclear War: An Intelligent Citizen's Dictionary

By Eric Semler, James Benjamin, and Adam Gross.

Published by Harper and Rowe, 1987.

This is a 5.5" by 8" hardbound book running to 325 pages including the bibliography and list of acronyms and abbreviations, plus a brief preface.

The preface states,

"[...] Technical terms pervade the nuclear debate; public officials, experts, and the news media alike speak of nuclear issues in a jargon that often leaves us feeling alienated and powerless.
      The Language of Nuclear War attempts to correct this problem by enabling everyone to understand the obscure and sometimes incomprehensible terminology of nuclear war. We hope that, regardless of their positions on the issues, readers will learn enough to be able to reflect intelligently on the arms race and nuclear war."

Because this book and others covering similar territory in our library date from the late 80's at the latest, we can only guess as to how much the vocabulary relating to nuclear war has changed over time. Unfortunately, the fall of the Soviet Union killed the debate on nuclear weapons without actually leading to nuclear disarmament or even a slowdown on global production of nuclear weapons. So, though books like this from the 80's may be dated, unless I am mistaken they are all we have on this important subject.

Here is a list of the first fifteen entries in the I sequence:

• IF DETERRENCE FAILS
  
• IMAGING RADAR
  
• IMPLOSION
  
• IMPLOSION WEAPON
  
• IMPULSE KILL
  
• INDEPENDENT DETERRENT
  
• INDIRECT APPROACH
  
• INERTIAL GUIDANCE
  
• INFRARED SENSOR
  
• INTERACTIVE DISCRIMINATION
  
• INTERCEPTOR MISSILE
  
• INTERCHURCH PEACE COUNCIL (IKV)
  
• INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE (ICBM)
  
• INTERFERENCE
  
• INTERIM COMMITTEE
  

The definitions range in length from a couple of sentences to about a page, and are clearly written and informative.

Many terms concern the state of bilateral negotiations between the US or NATO and the Soviets, which of course no longer applies. Terminology about weapons systems is probably more current, but I am really not sure.

The datedness of this book underlines the need for a newer reference work on nuclear weapons and war, as well as underlining the lack of media discussion of this continuing policy issue.

It's a useful book.

The Dictionary of Modern War

By Edward Luttwak and Stuart L. Koehl.

Published by Gramercy Books, 1998. Copyright, 1991.

This is a chunky but lightweight (well-armored yet nimble?) hardcover book measuring 6.5" by 9.5" and running to 680 pages. Though it was published in 1998, the paper already seems quite yellowed with age, and is of a very light-weight type.

What it is is a dictionary of military terms, current at the time of copyright, 1991. It seems strange to me that it would be published in 1998 with content written no later than 1991, especially considering the speed at which military technology undoubtedly developed during the 90's.

The terms defined mostly have to do with weapons. Terms such as "medic," "triage," "embedded reporter," "post-traumatic stress disorder," "flashback," and "casualties" are not included. There are definitions given, however, for "propaganda," "psychological operations," "rules of engagement," and "Geneva Convention."

As an example of what's included, the first fifteen entries in the "G" sequence are:

• G (FORCE)
  
• G3 (RIFLE)
  
• G11 (RIFLE)
  
• GA (SEE TABUN)
  
• GABRIEL
  
• GADFLY (SA-11)
  
• GAINFUL (SA-7)
  
• GAL CLASS
  
• GALAXY
  
• GALIL
  
• GALOSH (ABM-1)
  
• GAMMA RAYS
  
• GAMMON (SA-5)
  
• GANEF (SA-4)
  
• GARCIA
  

Most of those are for weapons and other equipment, such as airplanes. Typically, entries for objects of technology are about a half a page long and finish with a paragraph of numerical specifications. Probably about 90% of the definitions are like that.

Naturally, the book has a military person's perspective to it. Accordingly, the entry for "Rules of Engagement" points out that while rules of engagement are politically necessary, they are not always militarily expedient.

I would guess that a book such as this with a copyright date of 1991 would be out of date, which would be the main obstacle to using it for its intended purpose of liberating the world by overwhelming force.

At any rate, it is quite an impressive collection of information, all the more impressive in being the work of two people.