In Military Communications: A Test for Technology, John D. Bergen develops the thesis that burgeoning technology in communications faced a severe test in Vietnam. He analyzes the advantages and drawbacks of new communications systems and the effects these systems had on decision making and on command. In doing so, he describes the difficulties that communications systems had in keeping pace with the information explosion and shows that command and control do not necessarily improve with enhanced communications. The book illustrates that the communications missions of getting the message through was not only critical to the success of combat operations, but also as challenging as combat itself. Bergens clear understanding and description of these issues make this a valuable work for those responsible for the future success of command, control, communications, and intelligence.

The French legacy in Indochina, 1945-1960 -- An evolving strategic commitment, 1960-1963 -- Mounting a counterinsurgency, 1960-1963 -- Technical and tactical vulnerabilities, 1963 -- New approaches, 1964 -- Planning for war, January-July 1965 -- Securing the base of operations, July 1965-March 1966 -- The Genesis of a signal command, 1962-1966 -- Pushing out from Saigon -- Explaining The base in the III and IV Corps -- Into the killing zone -- Tet and the border battles -- Strategic communications -- The integrated wideband communications system -- American communicators withdraw from South Vietnam -- North Vietnamese and Viet Cong communications -- The electronic battlefield -- Signalmen -- Materiel.