This is a nice book that covers quite a lot of territory. Those of us who have been reading about WWII for several decades will find some familiar items inside, but there is always something to learn and this one covers some of the more unusual or those things about which we rarely consider.

The author has divided the book into several sections. There is an introduction on how science and free thinking often came up with innovations, as well as things that sounded good, but rarely worked, such as the 'sticky bomb' which activated a glue first, then set of the charge. It was quite unsuccessful and was at times the demise of the user.

Anyway, the topics are Aircraft, Bombs and Missiles, Rockets, Medicine, the development of atomic weapons, some rather far fetched ideas and finally electronics.

In these sections we are told of things like the Me-163, Horton Flying Wing, Radio controlled bombs, guided missiles, the V-1 and V-2 and other interesting flying things. The section on medicine concentrates mostly on the war crimes committed by Japanese and German doctors as well as some of the experiments done by the US on citizens. The development of the German super gun and atomic research by all sides are covered as are some wild ideas of a sonic cannon, floating ice air bases, and an invisible electronic shield. Naturally the Enigma and code breaking are included as are sections on radar and television.

The author also makes a major point of how the Allies were willing to overlook the crimes of Japanese doctors and German rocket scientists as long as they shared their research. Their records were expunged and in the case of several like Werner von Braun, their ties to the Nazi party were quietly ignored, keeping them out of the War Crimes tribunal at Nuremberg.  I have to say that I found the section on medical experimentation to be particularly disturbing as I just cannot see how people could do these things to others.

It all makes for an interesting and enlightening book in which everyone reading it will find something new.

June 2012

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