Dr. Strangelove and the Hideous Epoch: Deterrence in the Nuclear Age [Paperback]

John Renaker (Author), David Levine (Illustrator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0941690997 | ISBN-13: 978-0941690997 | Publication Date: December 1, 2000

This is an analysis of deterrence in the nuclear age. It is a dramatically new view of where we have been and where we are as a result of the development of nuclear weapons.

There is an indepth study of Stanley Kubrck's movie sub titled; "How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb".

The book is erudite in that it examines all the relevent literature. And it has wonderful drawings by David Levine of all the major players. But, above all, this is a hopeful book for as the author puts it; "...if nothing can be done it may seem that nothing NEED be done. Naturally enough, those who take comfort in that view tend to leave the arena of debate to those who want to do something. Thus the more believers in the power of deterrence, the fewer advocates for action. Dr.Strangelove and the Hideous Epoch reviews the debate's history from the viewpoint of that less representative side and argues the the end of the hideous epoch...is now within view."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Clever treatise concluding that...there is no need to worry about nuclear war..." -- WASHINGTON POST BOOK REVIEW JAN.20,2002 DAVID BEERS

"The Book is well-written, well-researched, and has a strong message....his comments on Strangelove are classic" -- Prof.Joseph Siracusa, The University of Queensland

A rich treatise that does more than juxtapose art with reality, and Dr.Strangelove with the Cold War." -- `Ronald J. Bee, Institute of Global Conflict and Cooperation, University of California

This is an unusual book by an unusual writer...He displays an original approach and imaginative new analysis..." -- Raymond L.Garthoff, The Brookings Institute

About the Author

John Renaker, founder of a world famous Pottery Manufacturing Firm called Hagen-Renaker, became interested in deterrence and its role in world politics in the 1960's.

At that time, he went to New Zealand looking for a safe haven for his family and his business. On that trip he saw Stanley Kubrick's movie, "Dr.Strangelove and the Hideous Epoch". He didn't realize that he had been "innoculated" against his fear of nuclear holocaust, but he stopped looking for property in New Zealand. Twenty years passed and in the 1980's fears of nuclear war again surfaced and he began a study of all the relevent literature.

Product Details

• Paperback: 446 pages
• Publisher: Regina Books (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941690997
• ISBN-13: 978-0941690997
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,078,445 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will Rile the Right, December 30, 2000

By 

M. Renaker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Strangelove and the Hideous Epoch: Deterrence in the Nuclear Age (Paperback)

Even though my father wrote this book, I have to write and say that after President-elect Bush' appointments of Cheney and Rumsfeld to head the Defense Dept. and the Pentagon, we need this book now more than ever! It will rile the military establishment whilst they reconsider "Star Wars" this spring. The book is a brilliant twofer about the movie "Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb" by Stanley Kubrik and the Cold War. It neatly slices up the critics of the movie at the time of its release for missing the point completely, and savages the U.S. military strategists for spending our treasure for decades trying to find a way to war without the bomb. It's a funny book and a tight paradoxical argument. Like the movie, it shows how a nuclear accident is impossible as is nuclear warfare, and how paradoxically the bomb could mean the end of the military as we know it. It has 18 caricatures by David Levine.