“In Weapons in Space, Aaron Bateman uncovers the complex, far-reaching, and surprisingly international history of the Strategic Defense Initiative. A critical corrective to caricatures of SDI as a pie-in-the-sky fantasy.”
Susan Colbourn, Duke University; author of Euromissiles: The Nuclear Weapons That Nearly Destroyed NATO
“In this penetrating, must-read history, Aaron Bateman demystifies the story of President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative and lays bare a discerning and fascinating account of the race to militarize the cosmos.”
David E. Hoffman, contributing editor, Washington Post; author of The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and Its Dangerous Legacy
“A detailed study of how the US and its allies attempted to militarize space in the Cold War, the technological and political limitations of those attempts, and their ongoing pertinence to maintaining American space supremacy in the twenty-first century.”
John Krige, Kranzberg Professor Emeritus, Georgia Tech
“This work is a must read for space enthusiasts and policy makers so that we do not repeat past mistakes and keep near and outer space a safe adventure for all.”
Choice
“Bateman succeeds in making a complex topic accessible... The book is worthwhile for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of technology and politics in military strategy, offering lessons that remain relevant in today's increasingly complex global security environment.”
Journal of Military History
“Drawing on previously classified documents, Bateman pulls back the curtain on political and diplomatic discussions. While rooted in the past, the book is a serious contribution to contemporary international security scholarship because we continue to have concerns about the weaponization of space today.”
Binding Hook
“Weapons in Space will serve as a useful case study in a number of subject areas and will offer valuable lessons for researchers and policymakers for years to come.”
Journal of Policy and Strategy
“Weapons in Space is a major accomplishment in the political and historical study of outer space. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the transnational history and politics of outer space, especially for those more interested in its military, industrial, and political dimensions.”
H-Net Reviews
“Splendid archival research and compelling analysis. Bateman has rendered invaluable service by unravelling the complexities of outer space militarization and deftly situating these within the broader historical, political and strategic context… Weapons in Space is a classic.”
RUSI Journal
“Bateman's astute historical analysis is an essential read for anyone wanting to learn more about the militarization of space, the SDI's impact on arms control and its legacy today.”
International Affairs