In the first of two projected volumes on the history of operational research (OR) in Britain, the discipline's country of origin, Kirby (Lancaster U., UK) traces its antecedents and their parallels with U.S. bombing analysis units. Rooted in air defense plans against the German Luffwaffe, OR became well-established by the post-World War II decade. The author chronicles its uneven incorporation in the public and private sectors. The volume is published in conjunction with the UK Operational Research Society, whose officers and scientists are pictured. Distributed by World Scientific. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)