"In this stunning work of investigative journalism, James Adams combines the excitement and drama of a thriller with a cast of extraordiinary characters from the worlds of intelligence, govenment, and the arms business. This is the story of the most talented designer of artillery this century; a man betrayed, who in despair and anger fell into the world of seedy arms merchants and ambitious third world dictators"--from back jacket flap.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 303-304) and index.

Velvet glove and the new science of supersonics -- The cocktail scientists -- The seduction of HARP -- The light of one and a half million candles -- Dumb pebbles -- The torcher -- Arthur D. Little and the compound principle -- Swimming with the sharks -- The deal -- The shipments -- The chase -- Jail -- An innocent abroad -- Project Babylon -- Lear fan: the Northern Ireland debacle -- Operation Bertha -- The riddle of Babylon -- The legacy.