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Nuclear War

By: Annie Jacobsen
Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

There is only one scenario other than an asteroid strike that could end the world as we know it in a matter of hours: nuclear war. And it could start in as little as 26 minutes and 40 seconds from now…

A pulse-pounding non-fiction thriller for listeners of American Prometheus by Kai Bird or Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham.

The first rule of nuclear war is that there are no rules.

Up to now, no one outside of official circles has known exactly what would happen if a rogue state launched a nuclear missile at the Pentagon. Second by second and minute by minute, these are the real-life protocols that choreograph the end of civilisation as we know it.

If a single nuclear missile is launched, it provokes two dozen in return. Frantic calls over secure lines work to confirm the worst as armoured helicopters are scrambled outside. Decisions over hundreds of millions of lives need to be made within six minutes, based on partial information, knowing that once launched, nothing is capable of halting the destruction.

Because the plans for General Nuclear War are among the most classified secrets held by the United States government, this book takes the listener up to the razor’s edge of what can legally be known. Based on dozens of new interviews with military and civilian experts who have built the weapons, been privy to the response plans, and been responsible for the decisions that will be made, this is the only account of what a nuclear exchange would look like.

Nuclear War is at once a compulsive non-fiction thriller and a powerful argument that we must rid ourselves of these world-ending weapons for ever.

©2024 Annie Jacobsen (P)2024 Penguin Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about Nuclear War

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A though provoking book.

loved it from start to finish. the way a war scenario is described will send cold shivers through you.

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Single session listen.

Meticulously researched and perfectly paced.
Really gives a sense of how we built a system to fail despite good intentions.

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Truly terrifying

Well written portrayal of where out world is so close to ending up. Highly recommended

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Wow

Wow wow wow what an absolutely amazing/horrifying book. Let’s hope we never ever see this in real life.

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One of the most important books you'll ever read.

Disturbing, alarming and downright scary the author takes you on a journey of nuclear war like no other. This is not a Hollywood movie it's a real life scenario that may happen this afternoon. This is mandatory reading for our uncertain times.

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Terrifying, Captivating, Sobering

its not just the amount of research and years that obviously has been dedicated to this book, its also the care of humanity and care for transparency that has been woven in. I cannot recall a single book that has held me in thrall, in fear, in hope or in details as fine as Annie has managed to do.

The plot, the facts, the fallout - everything - concludes that a nuclear war should never be launched and will never be won.

And we need to rid these handmaidens of the apocalypse from our Earth.


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The detail

Amazing research by the author. It goes into so much detail. I hope this never comes to pass.

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Annie Jacobson superb again

loved all the facts and the story. I have enjoyed all Annie Jacobson books and this was no exception. thank you

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If you only read one book in your life

This is the most important book written in our lifetime. Everyone must be made aware.

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Big bang

A fascinating and interesting listen, albeit very disturbing and worrying. That any sane and reasonable people could actually set up all this civilisation destroying infrastructure, and weapons, and be fully prepared to use them, is very concerning and worrying. Looking around the globe, at some of the despotic and lunatic regimes, and ‘leaders’, who possess these weapons (some who regularly threaten to use them), all the rest of us should be worried, and hope those crazy people are removed, and replaced by saner, and more reasonable and sensible folk. It passes the test, I shall definitely listen to this again ;-D

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