National Security and The Nuclear Dilemma: An Introduction to the American Experience in the Cold War [Paperback]

Richard Smoke (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0070593523 | ISBN-13: 978-0070593527 | Publication Date: December 1, 1992 | Edition: 3rd

This definitive survey examines the impact of nuclear weaponry on national security issues. Written by an experienced author and founder of the Peace and Common Security Institute in Berkeley, California, this text describes how current nuclear dilemmas have developed out of past choices and events. The final chapter of this chronologically organized text covers events that took place from 1985-1991, making the material relevant to the post-Cold War era.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 3rd edition (December 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070593523
• ISBN-13: 978-0070593527
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #566,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to nuclear strategy in the Cold War, January 25, 2011

By 

Richard M. Lim (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: National Security and The Nuclear Dilemma: An Introduction to the American Experience in the Cold War (Paperback)

Terrific and concise summary of the Cold War, specifically from the angle of nuclear strategy. The book is both highly dense and concise. Thus, it is challenging at times and does not qualify as leisure reading. Either way, it is one of the most objective works I have ever read on the Cold War and covers, not only the evolution of nuclear arms and arms control diplomacy, but also the evolution of the intellectual debate underlying the Cold War. This book challenges the myth-making and varnishing that goes on both sides. One finds that the Cold War was not a simple matter of doves vs hawks. The contradictory logic of nuclear strategy meant that arms control specialists, at times, advocated large buildups. Other paradoxes like these came to define the Cold War and challenge simplistic notions of liberal vs conservative thought. Only in this setting could the ultimate hawk, Ronald Reagan, envision a largely-pacifist and semi-utopian vision of a world free of the threat of nuclear missiles. The book also covers highly technical matters, such as the various types of missile systems and strategic policies, complete with mind-numbing acronyms: ALCMs, CBMs, EMP, CDE, CSCE, etc. A student of the Cold War will find Mr. Smoke's research exhaustive. Sadly, Mr. Smoke reportedly committed suicide. With this book, he has made a lasting contribution to the literature and has provided young national security analysts with a valuable introduction to the complexities of the Cold War.