Customer Reviews

Keepers of the Keys - A Historical Review of the NuclearStockpile Development and Operational Readiness During the Cold War

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Having been raised in the era of the development, deployment and security of atomic weapons, I was fascinated to read a first-hand account by someone who had been with the program from its inception, through to a world-wide distribution, requiring total security.Colonel Clark writes not only from a first hand experience of the technical aspects of the systems involved, but also includes his and others' personal stories. These narrations give a glimpse into the dedication, competence and commitment of the few to whom we owe so much in preserving our freedom during a very dangerous era.

I'm sorry to say that I can't agree with the earlier reviewers. I was expecting to see plenty of detail about the development of permissive action links, handling procedures, and the personnel reliability program. Instead, I was treated to a long overview of the author's military career. A bit light on detail for my taste.

In my humble opinion, readers seeking lots of technical and procedural information would enjoy The Angry Genie, The Logic of Accidental Nuclear War, or Managing Nuclear Operations.

Colonel Clark's book provides an insight rarely seen on the birth of the nuclear stockpile. The book provides a mix of Colonel Clark's professional responsibilities and the adventures and hardships encountered while trying to raise a family, and constantly being reassigned from one duty station to another. As an Air Force veteran myself, I found it easy to understand the problems associated with moving from one location to another, especially those long overseas assignments.

Colonel Clark's in-depth first hand knowledge on the early nuclear weapons program provides a unique perspective from the highest echelon. I found the book invaluable in my research. Thank you Colonel Clark, for sharing your experiences of a most distinguished career.

Retired Air Force Master Sergeant