This book reads like a novel. It is more exciting than any novel can be because it is based on truth and a story so frightening that it compels you to read it through to the last page, and so you must. Every page has detailed information, much of which is new, and the plots and subplots reel you in for the ride of a book reader's lifetime. I promise you that you won't put this one down.
The story of this book is familiar to all that are alive. In the fall of 1962, the leadership of the Soviet Union with the complicity of Fidel Castro decided to secretly install offensive nuclear weapons on the island of Cuba. They were successful until U-2 over flights of Cuba in October produced detailed photographic evidence of the Soviet plan.
The details of the story have been in conflict for almost 50 years as different authors have molded the story to fit their opinions. If you read Harvard historians, John Kennedy (JFK) comes out very much the hero. Other authors have different slants. It is my contention that Michael Dobbs in One Minute to Midnight has come the closest to the historical truth that we are going to see for many years.
The MECHANICS of the Book
Dobbs has decided to write the book in a chronological sequence during the 13 day sequence of what is now called the Cuban Missile Crisis. This is a chilling minute by minute account. This is neither a memoir, nor what would be termed a scholarly study. Dobbs has attempted to humanize the story, and show the people involved on both sides. It is perhaps true that the human side of this story has never been told, and certainly not to the extent you are witnessing here.
As the 13 days progresses, more and more space is devoted to the events of each day. Thus only a chapter is devoted to the first day of the crisis. A great deal of space is devoted to October 27, 1962, which is now known as Black Saturday in the Kennedy White House. During that day, Fidel Castro sent a telegram to Nikita Khrushchev enthusiastically pushing the Russian Premier to unleash the Soviet arsenal against America.
By the end of that day, JFK and the Russian Premier would come to terms in a deal that would give up American missiles in Turkey for the dismantling of the Soviet missiles in Cuba. What happened during the 13 days is absolutely spellbinding, and is perhaps the most important event to happen in human history. War with the USSR would have meant the nuclear destruction of all mankind. Those that did not perish immediately would have died along with most of civilization from the resultant fallout which would have lasted for years. The question we should all ask ourselves is what were they thinking?
Here are just a few of the things you will learn from this incredibly well written and vital book:
* Unbeknownst to the United States the Soviet Union had brought tactical nuclear weapons to Cuba. They were prepared to use them against an American invasion force. This means that one weapon could easily wipe out 15,000 to 30,000 American soldiers. At least one such weapon was within 15 miles of America's Guantanamo Bay naval base,and positioned for use.
* Certain Russian submarines were equipped with nuclear tipped torpedoes. One torpedo could wipe out an American aircraft carrier or even most of the fleet accompanying a carrier. One such Russian sub was forced to surface due to American depth charges. The Russian captain could have used his weapons and unleashed a nuclear exchange.
* Dobbs is probably the first writer to actually inspect the hundreds of cans of raw photographic footage that has been declassified. Some of this footage is in conflict with the memories of some of the participants of the crisis and Dobbs goes through the discrepancies.
* It is now deemed to be archaic to believe that there was no direct communications link between the White House and the Soviet Union. At times it took as long as 18 hours for JFK to dictate a communication and for it to be delivered to Khrushchev and translated into Russian.
* Diplomats in the Russian Embassy in Washington had to send a telegram by calling for a bicycle messenger when communicating with Moscow.
* Our naval ships in the waters off Cuba sometimes required hours to decipher orders from Washington.
What pours through this book is the overriding notion that at any time small events had the capability of ballooning up into a major crisis that by itself would trigger a total nuclear exchange. The Joint Chiefs were constantly edging towards invasion and war. JFK was successful in holding them back but knew that at some point, he might lose control over the situation, and events. The same was true for Khrushchev.
The Cuban Missile Crisis has been war gamed hundreds of times, and more often than not the result has been WAR. In the early 1990's a series of joint conferences were held with participants from Russia, Cuba, and America attending to find out what they could about the crisis.
During an early conference it became public that there were scores of Russian missiles already active in Cuba that the US did not know about. They were under local control of the Soviet army technical missile crews. This means that if the US had invaded Cuba it is understood that these crews would have launched their missiles at America causing a full retaliatory response by the US against Russia's homeland. The unthinkable would have become reality.
CONCLUSION:
If you have a love for history that is extraordinary in a book that is about as interesting as anything you will ever read than pick up a copy of One Minute to Midnight, and be prepared to be mesmerized. Just start on it early in the day because you might not want to go to sleep that night. Thank you for reading this review.
Richard C. Stoyeck
My Own THOUGHT:
I would like to leave you with this thought that has troubled me for years. I have discussed it with history professors at Harvard who are fully conversant with the crisis. None have ever given me anything but stares, so perhaps you can give it a try.
Why when JFK first became alert to the installation of the weapons did he NOT CONFRONT Khrushchev privately and demand the removal or else war? By confronting the Premier publicly he boxed Khrushchev into a corner which humiliated the Russian leader and could have easily led to war. Our weapons throughout this period were overwhelming. It simply makes no sense given the historical circumstances. Have a great read.
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Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5
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Top reviews from other countries
The Warwick Reader
A great historic account from the viewpoint of all involved in the crises.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2013
Maria
Interesting views on an important time.
Reviewed in Canada on November 6, 2015
