Book Review: Nanoweapons

​Nanoweapons: A Growing Threat to Humanity. By Louis Del Monte. Potomac Books; nebraskapress.unl.edu; 264 pages; $29.95.

A good introduction to nanotechnology and how it's being used today, Nanoweapons: A Growing Threat to Humanity takes an in-depth look at its applications in the military arena. Author Louis Del Monte presents a thorough study of this topic, which he claims has been underreported. Within the text are discussions about its future in both commercial uses that improve our lives and military weapons that could destroy us all. This complex topic is presented in clear, concise language, and an extensive glossary fully supports the text.

From discussing the history of nanotechnology to reviewing the emergence of nanoweapons, every section of the book piques the reader's curiosity and encourages critical examination of the subject matter. Those readers with no knowledge of nanotechnology will be able to comprehend what it is all about, its many uses, and what this discipline expects to achieve.

The author also speaks about how definite and small these creations are and their possible achievements. The book refers to the effects of nanotechnology within the computer world and as a more efficient way of transporting information. Overall the book shows the reader the potentials of nanotechnology within the world and the basics behind this science. It is an excellent work for the security professional, because it covers the development of these lethal, essentially undetectable weapons in depth and sounds the alarm that their deployment is a real risk to humans. It is well written, thought-provoking analysis of a serious issue, and it delivers a huge amount of information.

While the emerging field of nanotechnology is changing so rapidly that discoveries are made daily, this book does an excellent job in helping readers to understand the big picture.

Reviewer: Dr. Mark H. Beaudry, CPP, is a frequent reviewer for Security Management and a member of ASIS.