Nuclear War

Why read it

• Follows a single surprise launch as it escalates, step by step, into full nuclear war within hours
• Makes concrete how little time a president has, and why missile defense cannot promise a catch
• Builds its scenario from interviews with former officials and declassified records, and marks where fact ends and supposition begins

Who it is for

• Readers who assume deterrence makes nuclear war unthinkable
• Students of defense policy and command systems
• Citizens and lawmakers weighing arms control debates

What the summary covers

1. A Scenario, Not a Prediction1 min
2. What One Weapon Means2 min
3. How Overkill Became Policy2 min
4. Detection Is Fast; Understanding Is Not2 min
5. Defense Cannot Promise a Catch2 min
6. Six Minutes and One Authority2 min
7. A Second Strike Multiplies the Disaster2 min
8. The Route Across Russia2 min
9. Deterrence Cannot Be Restored Midwar2 min
10. Survivable Forces Preserve Revenge1 min
11. Full Exchange Has No Winner2 min
12. The War Continues After the Bombs2 min
13. The Common Enemy2 min

About the author

• 
  Annie JacobsenAmerican investigative journalist and author

  • Contributing editor at the Los Angeles Times Magazine 2009 to 2012

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