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The Complex: How the Military Invades Our Everyday Lives | 
| Author: Nick Turse
Publisher: Metropolitan Books
Category: Book
List Price: $24.00
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Rating:  7 reviews
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.2
ISBN: 0805078967
Dewey Decimal Number: 338.4735500973
EAN: 9780805078961
ASIN: 0805078967
Publication Date: March 18, 2008
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Product Description
A mind-boggling investigation of the allpervasive, constantly morphing presence of the Pentagon in daily life—a real-world Matrix come alive Here is the new, hip, high-tech military-industrial complex—an omnipresent, hidden-in-plain-sight system of systems that penetrates all our lives.
From iPods to Starbucks to Oakley sunglasses, historian Nick Turse explores the Pentagon’s little-noticed contacts (and contracts) with the products and companies that now form the fabric of America. Turse investigates the remarkable range of military incursions into the civilian world: the Pentagon’s collaborations with Hollywood filmmakers; its outlandish schemes to weaponize the wild kingdom; its joint ventures with the World Wrestling Federation and NASCAR. He shows the inventive ways the military, desperate for new recruits, now targets children and young adults, tapping into the “culture of cool” by making “friends” on MySpace.
A striking vision of this brave new world of remote-controlled rats and super-soldiers who need no sleep, The Complex will change our understanding of the militarization of America. We are a long way from Eisenhower’s military-industrial complex: this is the essential book for understanding its twenty-first-century progeny.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 A research feat, and an important book to read June 10, 2008
L. Gonzalez (New York)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A fantastic book! We have needed a book that rigorously examines our government's spending with regard to the military, and furthermore, how it is entangled in other areas of our lives that we typically (and naively) think of as wholly separate. What thinking person doesn't want to know where his or her money is going?
Which brings me to another point. What has happened to us that we can no longer analyze and question what our government gives to us and demands of us without being labeled "anti" something or other? Anti-military, anti-America, etc. Where is the criticism for anti-thinking? It's disappointing to see reactionary reviews to a book such as this, which sets out to inform us not to lambaste the government in a playground brawl. Why are smart Americans so upset when the system they put money into and live within goes under scrutiny? If a person had a tumor on his leg, would he not seek medical attention because he likes the leg and wants to keep it? Our system is ill, and we have researchers and writers like Mr. Turse to thank for the scrutiny that might help us (begin to) figure out how to save it.
On to the review. I've followed Mr. Turse's work for many years, in The Nation and on TomDispatch, mostly, as well as in the Los Angeles Times. He's a fine researcher and that rare individual who holds his own bar highest. Not only is The Complex a research feat that few of us have the mind, talent, or energy to even attempt, Mr. Turse makes connections between the data he's amassed-the true work of a writer.
Anyone who is shocked to hear of a $640 toilet certainly doesn't remember the Chicago scandal over ten years ago when a government official had used city funds for a $150,000 toilet. Are facts untrue because they are shocking to us? My grandmother can't believe gas is $4 a gallon, either...
We should be smart and skeptical enough by this point in time to appreciate the efforts of those such as Mr. Turse who data-mine for us so we don't have to. The book is well-organized and extremely readable, especially considering the wealth of information. Have I stopped supporting the companies in the book? No. Do I wish that I could? Sure. Do I get the sense that Mr. Turse is preaching to me to do so? Not at all. But reading The Complex made me realize that what we need is more awareness. It's impossible to live off the grid and the author isn't suggesting anyone do that. How silly and naive to read this book with that interpretation. Mr. Turse urges us to think. What's wrong with that?
There's a dearth of writing like Mr. Turse's in our world today. This book is the first of its kind and we need more writers like him that are willing to exercise the mental muscle it takes to analyze the government and its spending and influence with regard to its military. I have to wonder, do a lot of parents, for example, throw money at their kids without asking them how they are spending it? Perhaps so. But if you care about your kids (and likewise your country) you might want to know what it's up to with all that dough. If it's in trouble, you might want to look at why.
Mr. Turse's book makes me proud to know that I live in a country where we can question our government and criticize (in the interest of fixing) what's broken. If people aren't comfortable with this level of intelligent scrutiny, then perhaps North Korea is accepting residencies. I hear they have a lovely plan for blindly getting behind one's government without asking questions about what it's up to.
Everyone who pays taxes ought to have enough intellectual curiosity to ask where his or her money is going. Heck, this isn't intellect; it's common sense. Thank you, Mr. Turse, for an excellent book. Hopefully the first of many.
 Terrible research May 27, 2008
S. OLEARY (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)
6 out of 20 found this review helpful
Sigh...once again, a book purporting to be "factual" is anything but. The toilet seat that cost $640? The implication being that one could have purchased one at Home Depot for a pittance...problem is the "toilet seat" was made specially for the aircraft and was anything but a simple toilet seat. It was an injected-molded contraption with the plumbing in the seat itself...good luck getting that for a few bucks at HD.
The coffee-maker was not just a run-of-the-mill coffee maker, and the bolts were specially made. Sigh. Of course, idiots who read this unreferenced, unresearched crap will think it's all true.
Advice to the author...research...really...I know it's a painful word for a journalist to hear, especially an American one, but "research"...look it up if you don't know what it means.
Read The Complex April 24, 2008
D. Kuizenga (New York, NY USA)
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
On Jan.17, 1961, outgoing President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned of the moral hazard created by the tight relationship between the congress and military, which have the power to wage war, and the corporations who prosper from military escalation.
Eishehower warned that,"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."
Eisenhower's speech was delivered over 48 years ago and he would, no doubt, be disappointed in this nation for not heeding his words. Not only has the complex grown in strength and power but it has spread to now include hundreds of corporations, all feeding at the trough of death and destruction.
Turse, who holds a doctorate from Columbia University, writes in straight forward and direct language, laying out the playing field of brands we are all familiar with from the food, entertainment, technology, consulting and other industries that have great incentive to see our military grow and spend.
Finally, Turse gives us a view to where this is all going in terms of advanced weaponry and military tactics to recruit anyone who can draw breath to use as cannon fodder for the US's global adventures.
Take Eisenhower's advice and take a few minutes to make yourself "alert and knowledgeable". A good place to start is by reading Turse's book.
An important read. April 1, 2008
J. D. Henry (Grass Valley, Ca)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
An important read for all Americans. Well written, with an immense amount of details about, who, what, when and where the money goes. Obviousely a great deal of research went into this book, but it is written in such a way that you don't get bogged down in the details, they become a fluid part of a well told story. Open almost any page, and the documented, outragous spending and corruption, will stare you in the face.
Nick Turse has put together a well documented account of the DoD, tax payer funded, feeding trough, that should alarm every American. At times he shows a flair for the humorous, ( the choices are, laugh or cry )but there is nothing at all funny about this book.
A must read for all elected officials, ( and the press )who are not already well entrenched in the fleecing of America.
Even Eisenhower Didn't See This Coming March 31, 2008
Sergio (USA)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
This is a fast paced compelling read. Packed with startling revelations that will horrify some, while wowing others. Nick Turse opens our eyes, as to how pervasive the Military Industrial Complex has become in our lives. He lifts the curtain on billions of dollars of Pentagon waste that Americans tolerate without question. He details for the reader the extent of how the military has garrisoned the globe.
Sounding a warning to teens that "Uncle Sam Wants You" and will do almost anything toward that end, makes this mandatory reading for young men and women as well as their parents.
Sci-fi, buffs might find cool the idea of militarized moths, or spying spiders, but the programs Dr.Turse sheds light on, are cause for grave concern.
Throughout the book the author's clever wit is apparent and the level of research admirable. If you think the Military Industrial Complex is all guns, planes, missiles and tanks you should read The Complex. If you think that we as citizens are in control of the military you must read The Complex.
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