Lawrence Freedman

An all-encompassing book about nuclear weapons and war strategy. The author’s narrative begins even before the first nuclear explosion and follow-up Hiroshima when most were quite oblivious to the workings and power of nuclear fission lest foresaw how the development of a while range of technically different nuclear weapons and delivery systems would change the nature of warfare. This book explains how nuclear strategy (the goals and usage of such weapons) transformed since their inception until modern times. The strategy was surprisingly chameleonic, ever-changing, as it needed to accommodate and adept not only to new and novel nuclear weapon systems and changing priorities and focus on conventional armed forces but also political changes on the world stage. In between a strategy of nuclear monopoly to a strategy of massive retaliation and even a strategy of restraint, much thought went into maximizing the effect of this deadly weapon. I found it especially interesting to learn how nuclear weapons were implemented in the early NATO defense strategy and the reasons their possible usage would have favored the West more than their initial adversaries, the Warsaw pact members.
Desiring neither to be dead nor red, the West faced a great many dead-end options that could have left them ending up just that - either or. This is just one instance where the author used an aphorism that was spot on.
Historically inclusive and embracing in scope, this work gives many examples on how nuclear weapons would and could have been used in past conflicts from Korea to Vietnam and on several occasions against the Soviet union. It also tells a detailed story of several US presidencies’ and their major constituents and advisors pondering not only the dilemmas of a possible usage of such weapons but also their maintenance and proliferation in peace time.
Nevertheless, this is not merely about the Western powers and the Soviet-unions considerations, Asiatic nuclear powers such as… (more)

An important presentation of the history of nuclear strategy in the 20th century. I cannot stress how important it is to unwind what governments rationalise out of powers that could lead to catastrophic scenarios. At the end of the day logic is filtered through simple stories many of which really make no sense.

This book can help understand how farming of the stories can lead closer to disarmament, mitigated global risk. I wish there was a continuation of this text to cover contemporary nuclear strategies.… (more)