As ultimate arbiters of power, accompaniments to age-old rituals of courage and loyalty, or embodiments of developing technology, weapons and weapon systems have always exercised a unique fascination over men's minds. The implements of war have left their mark on human culture and are as much a part of human history as the tools of agriculture and industry.

This dictionary provides a comprehensive record of the significant weapons developed over the centuries by armies all over the world. It is a singular reference that will be welcomed by students, professional military men, hobbyists, and connoisseurs alike for its breadth of coverage, conciseness, and authoritative definitions.

Whatever your level of interest, you will be fascinated by the definitions and details in such areas as...

• Acronyms and Alphabet Soup—ABC-M7A2, DICASS, RESCAP, RITA, and VRFWS
• Folksy Slang—Daisy-Cutter, Desert Rats, Iron Hump, Rover Joe, Ruptured Duck, Weary Willie, Whoofus, and Wolf Pack
• Code Words—Ace High, Aida, Rumpelkammer, and Weed
• Historical Terms—ablecti, agny astra, Damascus steel, David, rambade, Requa battery, and uhian
• The Exotic and Antique—ailette, abab, dag, daisho, Dhool-Dhanee, and ribaudequin
• Ships' Classes and Names—Admiral Graf Spee, Daring, De-Grasse, Ethan Allen, Resolution, and Riga
• Operations Terminology—day of supply, deflection error, denial measures, dispersed movement, and range deviation
• Technical and Scientific Words—diphenylchloroarsine, rad, and wear tables
• Fighting Names—Airacobra, Dingo, Voodoo, and Vulcan

Every service is well covered, and definitions have been painstakingly researched to ensure accuracy. Pistols, rifles, automatic weapons, armored vehicles, aircraft, warships, edged weapons, artillery and much more are fully catalogued, as are the military terms and expressions relating to the use of weapons, military tactics, and military history.

More than 1200 illustrations supplement the text, elaborating and emphasizing crucial distinctions. Convenient alphabetical listing and substantial cross-indexing allow efficient referencing of individual terms.

No other book on the market today offers such all-inclusive coverage and detail. Collectors and veterans will spend many pleasant hours browsing through this verbal and pictorial museum. Historians, writers, model builders, and students of military affairs will find the Dictionary of Weapons and Military Terms an essential and long-needed reference.