The Arms Bazaar: From Lebanon to Lockheed. Hardcover – July 11, 1977

My second husband worked for Lorkheed/M. The book was rather battered as is life. It could have been in much better shape yet, the read is very good. Shipping was swift!

This is a book that helps to know what really went on and why.

Book is Ancient. Amazon did NOT tell me clearly how OLD this book is~! Of course I could've read more closely but I don't DO that do I?

I first read this book many years ago and as a past Lockheed employee I was shocked to see names of people I knew referenced in the book. The Arms Bazaar clearly paints the picture of the overall defense industry in the '60's and '70's but unfortunately singled out Lockheed. After the Cold War the Administration informally recommended to the Defense Industry to "do whatever is needed to increase foreign sales and trade" in an effort to boost the American economy. During this time paying certain middlemen was standard practice in order to be connected with the right people who had the authority to negotiate contracts. This "pay" was later renamed to be "bribes". As time passed and the economy recovered the American people learned of this practice via the media and revolted. American politicians had no choice but to discredit and admonish the practice. ALL Defense industry suppliers who had major foreign sales played the bribes game but not all of them were caught. This book is of historical significance and although the rules of engagement have been altered similar practices are most certainly being utlilized in current times.

It is said that countries dont arm themselves but are made to arm themselves by the hype created by arms manufacturers and of course the huge economy that it has on the arms producing countries.The arms manufactures pit one country against another and sell the arms to both countries in the guise of national defence. This is called Military sale. Though the sale is controlled by the governments, its anybody's guess how the arms are sold and the amount of profit that is made (both by selling country and buying country). Alas, if the same money could be used for productive purposes, the world would be different.This book gives a solid account of the build up and sales of arms. Not many copies are available.There are many many references given in this book. So this is not a work of fiction. I admire Anthony Simpson's meticulous detail and the expose that he has done.