"Many people know that the military budget has grown uncontrollably large, without understanding exactly how, or why, or how much of it is wasted, or whether it could be more sensibly addressed toward the nation s real security needs. John Alic s book is a significant step forward in clarifying all these issues - and especially in explaining why the ... Read morecommercial world s continuing application of advanced technology has been so much more effective and economical than the Pentagon s. This book is clear, specific, well-written, and very valuable. I hope whoever is devising the next Administration s policy on defense pays attention to it." - James Fallows, author of Blind into Baghdad and National Defense"Effectively combines basic technical understanding, a clear-sighted view of the way the process has evolved since the early 20th century, and close familiarity with the actual recent workings of the process. Many have noted the flaws in the defense acquisition process, but no one has so clearly identified their origins." - Barton C. Hacker, Smithsonian Institution Show Less