A Wizard in the Way by Christopher Stasheff

A Wizard in the Way by Christopher Stasheff

A Legacy of Computers and Missiles is an intensively researched, photo-enhanced discussion of digital computing and missile development in the Twentieth Century, organized in two sections. (No matter what anyone has been told, virtually all of the digital machines ever designed are binary deep down inside. Number representations may have varied, but the binary logic discussed here prevails.) After a bit of early history, The Computing Section begins in earnest with Turing's Bombe used to decrypt Enigma traffic, then investigates one-by-one digital systems from early room-sized serial machines through the beginning of the modern parallel era, ending with disgustingly parallel post 2000 Super-computers. Unlike most computing histories, Achieving Accuracy deals in detail with military computing systems generally omitted for lack of definitive information. (Computer design and computer-controlled missile guidance/ submarine navigation occupied some thirty years of the Author's professional career. )

Achieving Accuracy's missile descriptions and discussions begin for weapon systems existing well before W2 and cover virtually all US smart bombs, cruise and ballistic missiles of that century. Missile guidance systems have ranged from the V-1's dead reckoning through simple, but jammable radio-controlled, to exceedingly complex self-contained inertial guidance systems discussed at length. The reader may be surprised to learn that a smart-bomb flew in 1917, with several different models used in anger in W2. The Minuteman I leg of the present Triad is described in detail along with a somewhat bizarre set of proposed basing plans for the Peacekeeper Missile that were precursors of the recently proposed Subway basing plan for MI. Missile legacy includes a sub-section, necessarily less complete, describing Soviet/Russian missilery through 2000, noting that the early Soviet ballistic missile development was based almost entirely on the German V-2.

Stasheff, Christopher: - Christopher Stasheff was a teacher, thespian, techie, and author of science fiction & fantasy novels. One of the pioneers of science fantasy, his career spaned four decades, 44 novels (including translations into Czech, German, Italian, Russian, and Japanese), 29 short stories, and seven 7 anthologies. His novels are famous for their humor (and bad puns), exploration of comparative political systems, and philosophical undertones. He has always had difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality and has tried to compensate by teaching college. When teaching proved too real, he gave it up in favor of writing full time. He tends to pre-script his life, but can't understand why other people never get their lines right. This causes a fair amount of misunderstanding with his wife and four children. He writes novels because it's the only way he can be the director, the designer, and all the actors too. Chris died in 2018 from Parkinson's Disease. He will be remembered by his friends, family, fans, and students for his kind and gentle nature, his willingness to guide and mentor any who asked, and for his witty sense of humor. His terrible puns, however, will be forgotten as soon as humanly possible.

SKU	CIN0312866488G
ISBN 13	9780312866488
ISBN 10	0312866488
Title	A Wizard in the Way
Author	Christopher Stasheff
Condition	Good
Publisher	St Martin's Press
Year published	2000-09-02
Number of pages	208
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us