William E. Burrows

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. This New Ocean

    The Story of the First Space Age

    The book provides a comprehensive history of the space race, detailing the technological advancements, political dynamics, and human stories that shaped the journey into space. It explores the motivations and challenges faced by both the United States and the Soviet Union as they competed to achieve milestones in space exploration. Through a blend of historical analysis and personal anecdotes, the narrative captures the ambition, innovation, and rivalry that defined this pivotal era in human history, highlighting the profound impact of space exploration on global politics and society.

  2. 2. Deep Black

    Space Espionage and National Security

    An investigative account tracing the secretive development and use of space-based systems for intelligence and military advantage from the Cold War through the post‑Cold War era, revealing the technologies, covert programs, bureaucratic rivalries and political choices that shaped reconnaissance satellites, signals intelligence and anti‑satellite capabilities. Drawing on declassified documents, interviews and reporting, it chronicles programs and incidents that exposed vulnerabilities — technical limits, espionage, and the danger of deliberate attacks or accidental collisions — and explains how growing reliance on space assets creates new strategic dilemmas for national security and arms control, arguing for greater transparency and defensive measures as space becomes more contested and commercialized.