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Nuclear Folly
A New History of the Cuban Missile Crisis
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Nuclear Folly
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Description
The definitive history of the Cuban Missile Crisis from the bestselling author of Chernobyl: History of a Tragedy.
For more than four weeks in the autumn of 1962, the world teetered. The consequences of a misplaced step during the Cuban Missile Crisis could not have been more grave. Ash and cinder, famine and fallout; nuclear war between the two most powerful nations on Earth.
In Nuclear Folly, award-winning historian Serhii Plokhy tells the riveting story of those weeks, tracing the tortuous decision-making and calculated brinkmanship of John F. Kennedy, Nikita Khrushchev, and Fidel Castro, along with their advisors and commanders on the ground. More often than not, Plokhy argues that the Americans and Soviets simply misread each other, operating under mutual distrust, second-guesses, and false information. Despite all of this, nuclear disaster was avoided thanks to one very human reason: fear.
Drawing on an impressive array of primary sources, including recently declassified KGB files, Plokhy masterfully illustrates the drama of those tense days. Authoritative, fast-paced, and unforgettable, this is the definitive new account of the Cold War's most perilous moment.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Nuclear Folly by Serhii Plokhy has received positive reviews for its gripping narrative and detailed examination of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Critics praise the book for accessing newly declassified KGB materials and offering a fresh perspective on a pivotal moment in history. The work is acclaimed for its engrossing storytelling that reads like a thriller, providing comprehensive insights into the dangerous nuclear tensions between the USA and the Soviet Union.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780141993287
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 06 October 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 349g
Pages: 464
About the Author
Serhii Plokhy is Professor of History at Harvard University and a leading authority on the Cold War and nuclear history. His books include the Baillie Gifford award-winner Chernobyl- History of a Tragedy, Nuclear Folly, The Gates of Europe and The Last Empire.
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