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Books matching: nuclear arms race

10 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 10 
  1. #1

    Triple by Ken Follett
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    'Triple' by Ken Follett is a spy thriller set in 1968, revolving around the mission of a Mossad agent to steal uranium for Israel to build nuclear weapons. The plot involves a high-stakes showdown between intelligence agencies of Israel, Egypt, and Russia, as well as the Fedayeen. The book is filled with betrayals, extreme violence, espionage, and deceit, creating a gripping tale of intrigue and espionage during the late 1960s nuclear arms race. The writing style includes detailed action scenes, well-developed characters, and a slow but deliberate pace leading up to a thrilling finish.

    The public-address system at Cairo airport made a noise like a doorbell, and then the arrival of the Alitalia flight from Milan was announced in Arabic, Italian, French and English. Towfik el-Masiri l...

  2. #2

    Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
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    Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a satirical novel that explores themes of science, religion, and the nuclear arms race. The story follows the protagonist as he delves into the life of an atomic scientist and the creation of a dangerous substance called ice-nine. Through quirky characters and strange situations, Vonnegut weaves a tale that is both thought-provoking and darkly humorous, ultimately delivering a commentary on human folly and the absurdity of life.

    The writing style of Cat's Cradle is described as witty, succinct, and direct. Vonnegut's ability to mix humor and pathos with social commentary is highlighted, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and insightful. The novel is praised for its structure, storytelling, and unique philosophical questions wrapped in a quirky background story, making it a compelling and engaging read.

    “I am sorry to be so long about answering your letter. That sounds like a very interesting book you are doing. I was so young when the bomb was dropped that I don’t think I’m going to be much help. Yo...

  3. "Command and Control" by Eric Schlosser is a detailed and disquieting book that focuses on the history of nuclear weapons safety in the US. The book delves into the shocking amount of accidents that have occurred in the handling of nuclear weapons and the sheer incompetence of those in control. It also covers the history of weaponized fission and the hair-raising incidents that almost led to accidental nuclear detonations, showcasing the fragility of the systems in place to prevent such disasters.

    The narrative style of the book is described as both terrifying and fascinating, offering a thrilling and eye-opening account of the Cold War nuclear arsenal. It reads like a thriller, providing a detailed history of the Strategic Air Command and the US nuclear arsenal, highlighting the safety concerns and the near misses that could have led to catastrophic consequences. The book is praised for its engaging writing style and its ability to keep readers hooked with its detailed accounts of incidents and the historical context surrounding nuclear weapons.

    On September 18, 1980, at about six thirty in the evening, Senior Airman David F. Powell and Airman Jeffrey L. Plumb walked into the silo at Launch Complex 374-7, a few miles north of Damascus, Arkans...

  4. 'The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and its Dangerous Legacy' by David E. Hoffman delves into the hidden world of the Cold War arms race, focusing on the nuclear arms race, the Soviet biological weapons program, and the dangerous legacy left behind. The book uncovers the unseen side of the arms race, detailing the Soviet program 'Dead Hand' designed to respond to a decapitating first strike by the USA, and the Soviet Union's preparations for chemical and germ warfare despite international treaties.

    Hoffman's writing style weaves together personal narratives, historical events, and in-depth research to create a thorough and chilling account of the Cold War era. The book provides detailed insights into the characters of key players like Reagan and Gorbachev, explores the paranoia and beliefs of the communists, and paints a vivid picture of the terrifying realities of nuclear and biological weapons development during this tumultuous period in history.

    On July 31, 1979, Ronald Reagan walked through a pair of twenty-five-ton blast doors at Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, headquarters of the North American Air Defense Command. Behind the doors were four ...

  5. #5

    Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb by Richard Rhodes
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    'Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb' by Richard Rhodes is a detailed exploration of the development of the hydrogen bomb, focusing primarily on the US's efforts up to the creation of the first dry bomb. The book delves into the scientific, political, and espionage aspects surrounding the creation of this powerful weapon, highlighting key figures like Oppenheimer, Teller, and Ulam. The narrative weaves through the tensions between scientists, the impact of Soviet espionage, and the broader context of the Cold War arms race. Rhodes skillfully intertwines historical events with personal stories, providing a comprehensive look at the complex journey towards creating the hydrogen bomb.

    EARLY IN JANUARY 1939, nine months before the outbreak of the Second World War, a letter from Paris alerted physicists in the Soviet Union to the startling news that German radiochemists had discovere...

  6. #6

    The Cold War: A World History by Odd Arne Westad
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    'The Cold War: A World History' by Odd Arne Westad delves into the policies of the USSR and USA under their respective presidents, as well as the internal happenings of various regions like China, West and East Europe, Cuba, Vietnam, and the Korean wars. It explores the outlook of people from both blocks, the influence of American culture and socialist exposure worldwide, and how the seeds of the ideological war were sown in the first half of the twentieth century. The author provides a comprehensive analysis of the Cold War instances over the four decades after World War II, earning praise for its detailed coverage.

    The Cold War originated in two processes that took place around the turn of the twentieth century. One was the transformation of the United States and Russia into two supercharged empires with a growi...

  7. #7

    Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
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    Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein is a military science fiction novel that follows the story of Johnnie Rico as he navigates his career in the Mobile Infantry, a futuristic Marine Corps, during an interstellar war against the Bugs, an alien species. The book delves into philosophical ideas about government, citizenship, military life, and social virtues, all while providing a realistic portrayal of what life in a future military might look like. Heinlein uses the vehicle of interstellar war to comment on social and military virtues, presenting a society where citizenship is earned through service and where militarism is valued.

    The book explores themes of duty, honor, loyalty, and the morality of military operations, all while challenging fundamental precepts of society such as the concept of inalienable rights and the role of militarism. Heinlein's writing style is straightforward, action-packed, and thought-provoking, with a focus on military structure, philosophical discussions, and societal norms. While some readers find the book's political views controversial and its subtext dated, others appreciate its depth, realism, and the exploration of complex ideas within a sci-fi action adventure narrative.

    I always get the shakes before a drop. I've had the injections, of course, and hypnotic preparation, and it stands to reason that I can't really be afraid. The ship's psychiatrist has checked my brain...

  8. #8

    The Mouse That Roared - The Mouse That Roared by Leonard Wibberley
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    The Mouse That Roared by Leonard Wibberley is a humorous novel set in the tiny fictional Grand Duchy of Fenwick, where the plot revolves around the Duchy declaring war on the United States after a Californian company produces a knock-off version of their wine, the Duchy's sole revenue source. The unexpected conclusion of the war provides the Duchy with a unique opportunity to make an impact on the world stage and influence the nuclear arms race of the great powers. Written in the 1950s, the book serves as a satirical commentary on the Cold War era, touching upon serious topics such as nuclear capabilities, weapons of mass destruction, and the dynamics between big and small states.

    The book is a blend of humor and satire, offering a glimpse into the post-WWII Cold War era while addressing serious political and social issues in a light-hearted manner. The writing style captures the essence of the time period, providing readers with a mix of amusement and thought-provoking commentary on the political landscape of the 1950s.

    The Duchy of Grand Fenwick lies in a precipitous fold of the northern Alps and embraces in its tumbling landscape portions of three valleys, a river, one complete mountain with an elevation of two tho...

  9. 'The Longest August: The Unflinching Rivalry Between India and Pakistan' by Dilip Hiro covers the genesis of the Partition of British India and the first few decades of independent India Pakistan, delving into the intense conflict between the two nations. Hiro provides a comprehensive account, spanning from the latter decades of the nineteenth century up to 2015, exploring events such as Jinnah's early antipathy towards the Muslim League, the partition politics, the four wars, and the complex interplay of ambitions and fears of superpowers. While the material in the book is epic, covering major political assassinations, coups, wars, mass migrations, and a nuclear arms race, Hiro's writing style is matter-of-fact, avoiding exaggeration and presenting both sides of the story.

    Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the only son of Jinnahbhai Poonja, an affluent, Gujarati-speaking Ismaili Muslim importer and exporter in Karachi, and Mithi Bai. Poonja had dealings with British trading compa...

  10. 'This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race' by Nicole Perlroth is a chilling expose on the world of cyberwarfare and cybersecurity. Perlroth delves into the dangerous realm of zero-day exploits, government-sponsored hacking, and the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure. Through meticulous research and investigative efforts, the author unveils the hidden world of cyber threats, from NSA backchanneling to the rise of cyberwar as the new form of conflict in the digital age. The book presents a stark warning about the unpreparedness of global governments to cope with crypto attacks and the potential catastrophic consequences of cyber warfare.

    Just days earlier I’d been driving across the Maasai Mara in an open jeep, wrapping up a three-week trek across Kenya. I had hoped a few weeks off the grid would help repair nerves frayed by two years...

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