The Weapon Wizards

How Israel Became a High-Tech Military Superpower

By: Yaakov Katz, Amir Bohbot

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

From drones to satellites, missile defense systems to cyber warfare, Israel is leading the world when it comes to new technology being deployed on the modern battlefield. The Weapon Wizards shows how this tiny nation of 8,000,000 learned to adapt to the changes in warfare and in the defense industry and become the new prototype of a 21st century superpower, not in size, but rather in innovation and efficiency - and as a result of its long war experience. Sitting on the front lines of how wars are fought in the 21st century, Israel has developed in its arms trade new weapons and retrofitted old ones so they remain effective, relevant, and deadly on a constantly-changing battlefield. While other countries begin to prepare for these challenges, they are looking to Israel - and specifically its weapons - for guidance. Israel is, in effect, a laboratory for the rest of the world. How did Israel do it? And what are the military and geopolitical implications of these developments? These are some of the key questions Yaakov Katz and Amir Bohbot address. Drawing on a vast amount of research, and unparalleled access to the Israeli defense establishment, this book is a report directly from the front lines.

©2017 Yaakov Katz and Amir Bohbot (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"An enlightening look into one of the less-familiar corners of the modern military world." ( Kirkus)

The more things change, the more things remain the same.

Great overall summary of how and why Israel has become the leader in developing advanced weapons systems.

Informative without Bias

I really enjoyed this book. It was informational and not biased (so many authors nowadays are so biased that it is annoying). The book goes through the different types of items - aircraft, tank, gun, defense (iron dome etc), people and tech, giving the history of each. I finished the book in 2 days while going on walks and it held my interest well (not an easy task).

Riveting

This book has been sitting on my “to read pile” for some time. I am glad I read this book after I read the biography “The Lioness: Golda Meir and the Nation of Israel” by Francine Klagsbrun. After reading about Golda’s struggles to obtain weapons, it paints the background for this book. This book discusses the evolution of Israel’s military weapons. It tells how the military had to create and manufacture its own weapons and also how they had to modify purchased weapons for their particular type of warfare and desert conditions. The author tells about testing the French Mirages to building drones, handguns and machine guns to cyber warfare.

The book is well written and researched. The authors not only tell the history of weapons but also the current state of research and development. It tells of the mindset of the people who are under constant pressure from surrounding countries that want to annihilate them. I found the section about drones fascinating. This book is not for everyone; but, for those interested in the research and development of military weapons, it is a fascinating book.

The book is about nine and a half hours. Paul Boehmer does a good job narrating the book. Boehmer is an actor, voice-over artist and audiobook narrator.

Incredible! Well written detailed defense history

A comprehensive book of every aspect of how Israel survives to defend in every area of conflict with leading edge technology driven to never say never!

Good Overview, May Overstate Level of Innovation

Overall this was very well done. the book suffers a little from overstating the uniqueness of some Israeli weapons programs. For example, the chapter on the Iron Dome seems to ignore the fact that the Patriot system was developed by the U.S. prior to the first Gulf War, and was actually deployed in Israel during that conflict. While a good case can be made for the superiority of the Iron Dome system as a short-range ballistic middle interceptor, the authors write the chapter on the Iron Dome almost as if the Patriot system did not exist long before the Iron Dome. More nuance would improve the material. On a stylistic note, the word "chutzpah" is overused, and the narrator's monolithic impression of all Israeli males is a bit overdone.
Overall, however, the book is good, and I recommend it.

Everything I'd hoped for

The title says it, great read! Great details about historic and current weapons israel made.

Fantastic

This work is utterly fantastic. I highly recommend this work to all who love Israel!

Must read!!

If anyone has a desire to get a all-encompassing yet truncated story of Israel and their exceptionalism, this is a must read. It is not a political book. Very impressive in it’s historical timeline.

Fascinating

Thoroughly enjoyed fascinating look into Israel’s weapons development. Sometimes even surprised at some of the details shared. Well read by the narrator.

Great book 4 tech and modern military enthusiasts

Great storytelling mixing military tech breakthroughs with their historical context. A must read if you're into high tech and modern military history!!! A+++