Thirteen Days/Ninety Miles: The Cuban Missile Crisis [Paperback]

Norman Finkelstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2001

From October 15-28, 1962, the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war. This book recreated the events of that time and examines the personalities of the major characters especially John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev. Using recently declassified information, Norman H. Finkelstein traces the missile crisis from its origins down to a breathtaking finale. In a starred review, Booklist said, Young adult readers who enjoy suspense stories will be hard-pressed to find a more dramatic, well-written account of a historical event.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Using information recently declassified by the U.S. government, Finkelstein effectively recounts events that led to the 1962 crisis, as well as the tense and confusing behind-the-scenes meetings that took place during it. He shows that President Kennedy initially believed that an air strike against Cuba was inevitable, but that it became increasingly clear that such action might not succeed in destroying all the missiles. The author demonstrates that, as the crisis deepened, the president became more frightened that any military confrontation could lead to a devastating nuclear war, and that-even while he communicated his "final" offer to Khrushchev guaranteeing that the U.S. would not attack Cuba if the Soviets dismantled their offensive nuclear weaponry there-he was planning alternative deals. Richly detailed, well documented, and well written, this book dramatically sketches a crucial slice of 20th-century history.
Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-12. Young adult readers who enjoy suspense stories will be hard-pressed to find a more dramatic, well-written account of a historical event than Finkelstein's latest work. Using recently declassified materials procured by researchers at the National Security Archives, Finkelstein re-creates the 13-day crisis with all of the tension intact. After providing background information on the cold war and the Cuban revolution, he allows the drama to unfold, carefully documenting the actions of Kennedy, Krushchev, and other key players with excerpts from their files and from letters, memorandums, and memoirs. Readers will gain valuable insight into the personalities and ideologies of the time and come to understand just how close the U.S. was to nuclear war. They will also achieve a sense of how the limitations of global communications during the 1960s exacerbated the tension. Finkelstein provides detailed source notes, a timeline of events during the crisis, a Major Players list, and a bibliography that will be appreciated by student researchers. Chris Sherman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (January 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595156541
• ISBN-13: 978-0595156542
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,670,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Norman H. Finkelstein is the author of eighteen nonfiction books, mainly for young readers. He recently retired as a school librarian for the Brookline (Massachusetts) Public Schools but continues into his 29th year of teaching history in the Prozdor Department of Hebrew College. Among his writing honors are two National Jewish Book Awards, the Golden Kite Honor Book Award for Nonfiction and a "highly recommended" award from the Boston Author's Club.

His interest in history and biography developed early. "I was the only kid in the sixth grade who regularly read the New York Times," he said. His books reflect an eclectic view of his world. From his love of old-time radio came Sounds in the Air: The Golden Age of Radio and from his fascination with plastics came a social and cultural history called, simple enough, Plastics. He also serves as the series editor for the Jewish Publication Society's JPS Guides.

He is married to Rosalind who he calls "my first-line editor". They have three grown children and three grandchildren. Finkelstein lives in Framingham, Massachusetts.