Weapons of the Cold War

Children's Literature - Kris Sauer

This would be a useful text to supplement any discussion of political and military history of either the United States or the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1989. The book does a good job of introducing the Cold War as the "war that wasn't." Using plenty of photographs to support the brief but concise text, the book covers bombs and missiles, airplanes, and defense plans, including satellites and bunkers that each country developed in anticipation of aggressive action. If there is any criticism to be made, it is this: while the author does a good job of describing what the Cold War was, he does not answer why it ended in 1989. Scaffolding will be required by teachers or supportive adults to provide context as to what ended the Cold War, particularly in light of today's military activities in the Middle East. Still, this is a strong text in which each chapter concludes with a full-page layout of examples of the weapons discussed, reinforcing and detailing the chapter's focus. Part of a four-title "Weapons of War" series, the book is written at a grade one to two reading level but has an interest level up to grade nine. A glossary, bibliography, index, and guide to topical Internet sites is included as well. This would be a good addition to a non-fiction library short on military texts and particularly useful for students in the upper grades with an interest in this topic who might be reading below grade level. Reviewer: Kris Sauer