If you want to eliminate your post-Cold War feeling of security regarding nuclear war, than The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear Planner, by Daniel Ellsberg, is the book for you. Ellsberg (of the famous Pentagon Papers) here documents all the ways and means by which a nuclear war could have accidentally occurred between the United States and the Soviet Union. He also delves into the false sense of security we all walk around with now that Russia is a second rate world power; a nuclear war between us is still very possible.
He will also burst your balloon about a ‘regional’ nuclear exchange between Indian and Pakistan. Smoke and dust from those burning fires (along with killing hundreds of millions of people outright) would lower ground temperatures world wide for a decade. It would be impossible to grow grain in Canada. Widespread famine would occur.
This is an important book, but difficult to read. Also Ellsberg is often, oddly, self-congratulatory regarding nuclear planning he did in the 60s, which now he sees as wholly misguided, and even insane. He is aware of this, but at times can't help but be proud of his work.
He will also burst your balloon about a ‘regional’ nuclear exchange between Indian and Pakistan. Smoke and dust from those burning fires (along with killing hundreds of millions of people outright) would lower ground temperatures world wide for a decade. It would be impossible to grow grain in Canada. Widespread famine would occur.
This is an important book, but difficult to read. Also Ellsberg is often, oddly, self-congratulatory regarding nuclear planning he did in the 60s, which now he sees as wholly misguided, and even insane. He is aware of this, but at times can't help but be proud of his work.
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