John C. Wright (1) (1961–)

Very very interesting book on so many fields - from the organizational, logistical, concrete combat technology and approaches to space combat and space warfare in general.

Everything that authors mentions is applicable to the warfare on Earth. As a matter of fact author shows how future combat amongst the stars will be reminiscent of mystery and terror of age of sailboats on Earth. High level of risk, extremely high level of gain and catastrophe always lurking on the horizon ready to snuff out the ships, the crew, everything and not leave any mark of human passing.

Author's opinions on government vs private sector are also very interesting and I agree with him. Private companies will definitely show up but it will be like cleaner fishes swimming with big whites. They will be there to give a boost but will rely on governmental support, funding and access to technology. Main drivers of space explorations due to the epic level of difficulties will remain governments.

I especially liked the chapters on human vs human space combat (since we will definitely be our own wolves even when we move into the starry landscape) - politics, isolation, effects of the same, especially chapters on treaties and how they are almost never followed and are used only to benefit one party while tying the hands of another (this rings so true especially in light of conflict in Europe raging for several years now and politicians coming out and - for some reason - telling the truth).

Then comes the logistics, very cataclysmic combat amongst stars where defeated party will most definitely get obliterated if for no other reason then for the fact that any hard ground will be so distant it will be unreachable. The very amount of forces needed to conquer planets, mind boggling planning and resources required to execute the operation .... all of this author manages to present in very clear way.

When it comes to technology I have to say I am surprised (in a good way) by authors comments regarding looking for silver bullet, especially when planning the operation that will take years if not decades to execute. Chapter on space fighters and analogy between the today's sea navy and future space navy are just great, especially chapters on how rules of engagement and role of both merchant and combat navy will remain paramount when the gigantic ships start sailing through the space.

Author also touches on the current state of affairs (and the US arch enemies in the east - that ever present need to have an enemy in order to have raison d'etre) and explains the need for developing the separate branch that will be solely dedicated to fighting wars in space. Authors discussions on planet wide government, is planet wide unification even possible, show certain bias that is present also in other books I read recently. Which again is as expected because nobody wants to see their own country and alliances trampled although author clearly sees them as enforced organizations that present more imperialistic than open membership organizations. In my opinion it is good when people write about things like these even through prism of futurology.

Author does not touch on current space warfare which is, considering when the book was written, not that surprising. There was no conflict that would involve any space assets in direct combat, especially conventional one. I understand that all space crafts launched definitely need to have dual purpose - civilian and military - if for no reason than because of the cost, but recent conflict in Europe shows that very soon we will definitely witness attrition of space craft and in future even space stations (since international cooperation is going to take a back seat for a long time). If anything, recent conflict has shown that multi purpose space craft in orbit are primarily military vehicles and by far secondary civilian objects (i.e. Starlink system or "private" satellites for photographing Earth for "peaceful" purposes). As such they will become targets very soon in one way or the another and that will be significant strike to the civilian infrastructure, especially when all these dual purpose devices start going offline and fall on planet Earth. You just cannot implement judgement day class technology and expect no repercussions when you make your assets visible to everyone in the world publicly.

I think that governments throughout the world will start developing space craft delivery systems more intensively due to the very nature of the problem - replenishment needs to be fast and almost automatic, and currently very few countries can do this in the economical way. Everything that "experts" were afraid of - but actively worked on - will come to pass, we will have definitely arms race in space and this will just bring ever more difficult conditions to the surface of our planet.

Very interesting book, highly recommended for all those interested in military and warfare.… (mere)