SPACECRAFT AND MISSILES OF THE WORLD, 1962.

By James Baar and WilliamE. Howard '45. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1962. 117 pp.$5.95.

The dust jacket of Spacecraft and Missilesof the World, 1962, has reference to Baar and Howard's survey being in the "scope and character of the renowned Jane's Fighting Ships." A more fitting analogy is Jane'sAll the World's Aircraft. In either case this is excellent company and regrettably this volume requires the name dropping.

James Baar and William E. Howard, formerly with Missiles and Rockets, a trade magazine of the missile industry, are both members of the Rocket Society and the Aerospace Writers Association. They are knowledgeable in the field of spacecraft and missiles as newspapermen and authors of Polaris! and Combat Missileman.

The contents of Spacecraft and Missiles include: (1) A very brief but interesting history of the development of rockets from the time of Genghis Khan to the present. (2) An excellent space-missile guide with glossary, pertinent abbreviations, listing of world-wide space ranges, contractors, and government agencies. (3) Comprehensive ata (performance, specifications, history, and status) on Spacecraft and Satellites of Russia, Great Britain, and the United States. (4) Additional facts on space weapons, strategic missiles, tactical missiles, and defense weapons; including information as to type, military service, deployment, performance, and specification. (5) A section devoted to outmoded missiles and some of the problems involved in missile obsolescence.

Possibly the best feature of this encyclopedia is its organization. The logical sequence of missile history, glossary, space weapons, strategic missiles, and tactical missiles provides clear continuity. In addition, the book is clearly printed and profusely illustrated.

Realizing present security restrictions it still is unfortunate that the survey does not have a greater international flavor.

Spacecraft and Missiles provides an excellent source of reference, not only for those who require technical sophistication in this area, but also to our potential astronauts, as well as to those of us who used to stand on a street corner and guess. "Dodge or Essex or Graham" regarding oncoming cars.