Wired for War

The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century

By: P. W. Singer

Narrated by: William Hughes

Length: 20 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

A military expert reveals how science fiction is fast becoming reality on the battlefield, changing not just how wars are fought, but also the politics, economics, laws, and ethics that surround war itself.

Singer’s previous books foretold the rise of private military contractors and the advent of child soldiers - predictions that have proved all too accurate. Now he explores the greatest revolution in military affairs since the atom bomb: robotic warfare.

We are now seeing a massive shift in military technology that threatens to make the stuff of I, Robot and The Terminator a reality. Over seven thousand robotic systems are now in Iraq; pilots in Nevada are remotely killing terrorists in Afghanistan; scientists are debating just how smart - and lethal - to make their current prototypes; and many renowned science fiction authors are secretly consulting for the Pentagon.

Blending historic evidence with interviews from the field, Singer vividly shows that as these technologies multiply, they will have profound effects on both the front lines and the politics back home. Replacing men with machines may save some lives but will lower morale and psychological barriers to killing. The “warrior ethos,” which has long defined soldiers’ identity, will erode, as will the laws of war that have governed military conflict for generations.

Paradoxically, the new technology will also bring war to our doorstep. As other nations and terrorist organizations obtain their own robotic weapons, the robot revolution could undermine America’s military preeminence. While his analysis is unnerving, there’s an irresistible gee-whiz quality to the innovations Singer uncovers.

©2009 P. W. Singer (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“This book is awesome.” (Jon Stewart, The Daily Show)

“P. W. Singer has written what is likely to be the definitive work on this subject for some time…It is riveting and comprehensive, encompassing every aspect of the rise of military robotics, from the historical to the ethical.” ( Financial Times)

“Robotics promises to be the most comprehensive instrument of change in war since the introduction of gunpowder.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Good book of fact sprinkled with left-wing opinion

Mr. Singer’s Wired for War is a great book, but was clearly written from a far left-wing point of view. He goes out of his way to demine Bush, pro-lifers, and people with a conservative leaning point of view. It is unnecessary and off putting. He also has the view that we must make our enemy’s like and respect us. He did very good work and thorough research. Too bad he feels the need to needle half of the population while he did it.

More and better than I bargained for

Working for a robotic-oriented firm, and with peers moving into other robotic fields, I wanted to get at least a sense of the military aspect of robotics. Singer, however, gave me exactly what I wanted and so much more. The book is a history of robotics, technology in warfare, and military robotics. But it also delves into the legal, moral, and cultural issues around robotics and robotic warfare, and reveals the very real ties between the military and modern science fiction. The book is a view into our modern world, and into our future, in a surprising and compelling way. I was surprised by how avidly I wanted to listen to this book. I know I will listen again.

Little dates but still good

Some of the technological terms brought up in the book are dated but otherwise a good thorough look at the ethics and implementations of new technologies

Robots for everyone.

It was very interesting and mind opening to think of where Robots and robotics will take us in the future, both in our private lives and in the Military and all the questions it will raise as to rights and wrongs as to their uses. It makes you look at things from a number of perspectives. I am looking forward to being around for part of it but wonder if I would like to be there for the rest.

Wired

Would you try another book from P. W. Singer and/or William Hughes?

Wired is a book that is very hard to get into. I had to force myself to listen to. After finish it the first time tried to listen to it again to see if it was any better. No it was not.

Has Wired for War turned you off from other books in this genre?

I hop not

Would you be willing to try another one of William Hughes’s performances?

Yes but will not invest as much time as was invested in Wired.