Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsWell written, but the scenario flawed.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 May 2024
I don’t generally leave reviews - I don’t have time. However this book necessitates that I do on two points;
The first point is that this is a good read. It’s rare for a me to go cover to cover in a day. In the last couple of years I’ve read only one other book that did so. The subject matter is not for the faint hearted. This is serious stuff. The primers are also welcome for those who may not be well versed in nuclear weapons and the surround theory and history. In this point the book is a 5/5.
On the second point; the posited scenario is flawed. The retaliatory strike against the country that launches the initial attack would not need to be and wouldn’t be via ICBM. But rather SLBM - the remarked upon gap in coverage, where the ICBM launch has to overfly Russia, thus potentially looking like a decapitation strike against Russia, would for that very reason not happen, hence it would be an SLBM launched attack - closer geographically and would avoid Russia attacking the US. I must concede that this point was likely added to aid in the “story” of the book. The premise that the direct line between Washington and Moscow, where messages are not being delivered or responded to is fanciful. Its manned 24/7/365, precisely to avoid what happens in the book. And for the uninitiated it’s also, not a phone.
On a point of what information lies within the public domain, access to nuclear protocols, strike options, most of this is highly classified. I would expect Annie Jacobsens sources were either long retired, or gave commentary on outdated protocols. Neither will have provided any operational insight.
Overall this is decent book, though the hype surrounding it far outweighs its content. I didn’t read about anything that I didn’t already know. However a copy of this book should be sent to every leader of a nuclear armed state to show them just how easy that approximately 12 people hold the fate of over 8 billion people in their hands.
Don’t have nightmares.