Ace in the Hole: Why the United States Did Not Use Nuclear Weapons in the Cold War, 1945 to 1965 (Contributions in Military Studies) [Hardcover]

Timothy J. Botti (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313299765 | ISBN-13: 978-0313299766 | Publication Date: June 30, 1996

Using newly released documents, the author presents an integrated look at American nuclear policy and diplomacy in crises from the Berlin blockade to Vietnam. The book answers the question why, when the atomic bomb had been used with such devastating effect against the Japanese Empire in 1945, American leaders put this most apocalyptic of weapons back on the shelf, never to be used again in anger. It documents the myopia of Potomac strategists in involving the U.S. in wars of attrition in Korea and Southeast Asia, marginal areas where American vital interests were in no way endangered. Despite the presence of hundreds, then thousands of nuclear bombs and warheads in the nation's stockpile, the greatest military weapon in history became politically impossible to use. And yet overwhelming nuclear superiority did serve its ultimate purpose in the Cold War. When American vital interests were threatened—over Berlin and Cuba—the Soviets backed down from confrontation. Despite errors in strategic judgment brought on by fear of Communist expansion, and in some cases outright incompetence, the ace in the hole proved decisive.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ace In The Hole explores the why the United States never employed any of its nuclear weapons in the late and unlamented Cold War with the Soviet Union, despite such provocations as the Korean conflict, the Cuban missile crisis, or even the war in Vietnam. There was the mutually assured destruction (MAD) scenario, a great many military scenarios covering all manner of nuclear possibilities, at times very strong political pressures on the American commander in chief (president), yet no nuclear weapon was ever fired upon an enemy after the bombing of Japan in 1945. Ace In The Hole explains with great scholarship and in great detail the events, theories, and political-military factors in the long and unbroken string of decisions not to resort to the use of nuclear weapons in any of the Cold War events. Highly recommended for inclusion in military, international and political studies reading lists and reference book collections. -- Midwest Book Review

Book Description

Answers the question why, when the atomic bomb had been used with such devastating effect against the Japanese Empire in 1945, American leaders put this most apocalyptic of weapons back on the shelf, never to be used again in anger.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (June 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313299765
• ISBN-13: 978-0313299766
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,099,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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