It's a bit of an open secret that reconnaissance satellites, or spy satellites, as they're often known, play a big part in American intelligence-gathering efforts. They're indispensible tools in the ongoing War on Terror. While information about the country's current satellites is classified, curious minds can learn all about the development of spy satellites in this informative tome. Highlights include WS-117L, CORONA, SAMOS, GAMBIT, HEXAGON, DORIAN, and KENNEN, all of which are introduced with detailed diagrams and multiple photographs. Other topics covered include the methods of aerial reconnaissance that predated satellites, the various types of intelligence that are routinely gathered, and an overview of the U.S. intelligence community.