Sampson explains how the system produces a "growing frenzy to push weapons into the new markets".

The book largely discusses the beginning of U.S arms export during the Cold War under the auspices of the then Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara to reverse the deficit in the balance of payment.

It shows how actually The Pentagon helped the American defense contractors to make weapons sales to the NATO allies in Europe instead of providing them with direct security.

It examines what went wrong to the sale of Lockheed Martin F-104 Starfighter to West Germany and Netherlands.

The book continues about CIA, Kermit Roosevelt, and arms sales to the Mohammad Reza Shah.