The new Maginot line /

British correspondent Connell offers an analysis of high-tech defense systems. While most of the material he uses to support his thesis will be familiar to many readers, he does offer a broader, European perspective on many issues (such as the Strategic Defense Initiative). Writing with clarity and wit, and with no political axes to grind, Connell prescribes more conventional weapons, fewer nuclear systems, and a larger role for diplomacy coordinated with defense policy. No earthshaking ideas here, but Connell presents a welcome, mature view of his subject. A worthwhile purchase for most current-affairs collections. Notes; bibliography; no index. RG. 355'.031 North Atlantic Treaty Organization / Europe Defenses [CIP] 86-14178

This work joins a group of books by journalists, soldiers, etc., who constitute loosely the ``military reform'' movement. Their central thesis is that deficiences in planning, procurement, training, and tactics make U.S. (and NATO) forces ineffective. Connell, London Sunday Times defense correspondent, argues that the unexamined faith in expensive state-of-the-art weaponry is as foolish as the French belief in the impregnability of the Maginot Line. The human dimension is neglected, says Connell, and ``gold plated'' weapons pour off production lines only to be dangerous, broken, or too sophisticated for the troops. Connell argues that ``Star Wars'' is the culmination of the sort of thinking that substitutes technology for substantive defense. This insightful, critical, and informative book is as good an introduction to the military reform movement as any available. Richard B. Finnegan, Political Science Dept., Stonehill Coll., North Easton, Mass. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.