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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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Apoplectic

Brilliantly researched. Horrific account of what a nuclear war will do to our planet

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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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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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The incredible detail and the power of the research done to support the writing of the book.

A fantastic read that should be compulsory reading for everyone who wants to live a long time in peace.

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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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Terrifying and brilliant

Just wanted to know if New Zealand would be on the chopping block but it completely absorbed me

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A reminder of our fatal stupidity

Don’t read this if you’re depressed.
The breathy style and the scenario gaps (how do we know it’s a country attacking and not a lone actor?) fade into insignificance when contrasted with factual research used. This is armageddon-porn that reads as B-rate fiction made far far worse because it’s plausible and researched.
Fundamentally it is an important work and helps to reset the lens we should use to see international events and politics.
Is there even any point in crawling into a very deep hole in the ground? Going to go for a walk and enjoy some nature and family while I can.

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