Missiles in Cuba: Kennedy, Khrushchev, Castro and the 1962 Crisis (American Ways Series) [Paperback]

Mark J. White (Author)

Book Description

Series: American Ways Series | Publication Date: February 1, 1998

For many years historians of the Cuban missile crisis have concentrated on those thirteen days in October 1962 when the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war. Mark White’s study adds an equally intense scrutiny of the causes and consequences of the crisis. Missiles in Cuba is based on up-to-date scholarship as well as Mr. White’s own findings in National Security Archive materials, Kennedy Library tapes of ExComm meetings, and correspondence between Soviet officials in Washington and Havana—all newly released. His more rounded picture gives us a much clearer understanding of the policy strategies pursued by the United States and the Soviet Union (and, to a lesser extent, Cuba) that brought on the crisis. His almost hour-by-hour account of the confrontation itself also destroys some venerable myths, such as the unique initiatives attributed to Robert Kennedy. And his assessment of the consequences of the crisis points to salutary effects on Soviet-American relation and on U.S. nuclear defense strategy, but questionable influences on Soviet defense spending and on Washington’s perception of its talents for "crisis management," later tested in Vietnam.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A brief, insightful account. (A.G. Noorani The Statesman )

Valuable...A major work. (Richards, David Indianapolis Star )

Plenty of titles have analyzed the 13 days in 1962 when nuclear war threatened: this goes beyond most in adding new research to consider the underlying causes and consequences of the crisis. (Midwest Book Review )

About the Author

Mark J. White teaches American history at Eastern Illinois University. He has edited The Kennedys and Cuba: The Declassified Documentary History and other studies in American diplomatic history.

Product Details

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R Dee (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566631564
• ISBN-13: 978-1566631563
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,133,639 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear-headed approach to an interesting topic, April 4, 2003

By 

Kevin Brianton (Melbourne, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Missiles in Cuba: Kennedy, Khrushchev, Castro and the 1962 Crisis (American Ways Series) (Hardcover)

In the wake of the Iraq invasion, it is wise to remember an international incident nearly 40 years ago that also involved a third world country with weapons on mass destruction. Professor White shows that both the Kennedy and the Khrushchev adminstrations, after fumbling at the start, were able to balance and sort out a very deadly game of nuclear chess. The recent film Thirteen Days shows the American side, but White expands to show the game being played in the Kremlin as well.

Professor White writes in a very lean manner and his conclusions are well grounded. There is no better introduction to the issues behind and the events unfurling during the missile crisis.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars missiles in cuba, April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Missiles in Cuba: Kennedy, Khrushchev, Castro and the 1962 Crisis (American Ways Series) (Hardcover)

the other missiles of october: eisenhower, kennedy, and the jupiters, 1957-1963

2 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars missiles in cuba, April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Missiles in Cuba: Kennedy, Khrushchev, Castro and the 1962 Crisis (American Ways Series) (Hardcover)

the other missiles of october: eisenhower, kennedy, and the jupiters, 1957-1963