What are some good books about the international arms trade?

May 19, 2006 7:41 AM

What are some good books about the international arms trade? Nonfiction or informative fiction, please.
posted by Sticherbeast to media & arts (9 comments total)

"A Quick and Dirty Guide to War" by Jim Dunnigan and Austin Bay
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 8:52 AM on May 19, 2006

Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy has a good chapter on arms smuggling. Not sure if you were interested in the criminal side of the trade though.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 8:55 AM on May 19, 2006

I'm sorry, I should have specified: I am absolutely interested in the criminal side.

Black market, gray market, legit, whatever. Especially small arms.
posted by Sticherbeast at 9:01 AM on May 19, 2006

I assume you have seen "God of War"

not a book. But one of my faveorite Nick Cage movies.
posted by I_am_jesus at 10:23 AM on May 19, 2006

Frederick Forsythe touches on smuggling arms for mercs hired to overthrow a small African nation in "The Dogs of War" (fiction)
posted by Pressed Rat at 10:54 AM on May 19, 2006

Movie should be Lord of War. I have a vague memory that it's based on a book or an article, but can't pin it down. Probably I'm wrong.

This got good reviews, albeit non-fiction, and only in part what you're interested in.

Hard to go wrong with Eric Ambler, dated though he is. His Passage of Arms is a slight book, but readable.

Good question, by the way.
posted by IndigoJones at 7:44 PM on May 19, 2006

(Sorry, missed PinkStainlessTail. Clearly time to call it a night.)
posted by IndigoJones at 7:45 PM on May 19, 2006

Strictly speaking it's more about the financing of terrorism, but Terrorism Incorporated, which I'm reading at the moment, has lots on the financial intricacies of the small arms trade, especially the illegal/criminal side.
posted by Len at 6:08 AM on May 20, 2006

Ditto Terrorism Incorporated. I heard the author speak once, extremely interesting woman.
posted by IndigoJones at 2:35 PM on May 20, 2006