Eyeball to Eyeball: The Inside Story of the Cuban Missile Crisis

by Dino A. Brugioni

This definitive eyewitness account of the crisis that brought the U.S. and Cuba to the brink of nuclear war--updated in a new paperback edition. "The first CIA-insider's account of those tension-filled days in October . . . an exciting, at times, riveting story".--LA Times Book Review. Photos.

Genres: History, American History

Paperback

First published January 8, 1992

Reviews

[Alex Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing account. One of the most thorough and still RELEVANT sources which focuses on a lot of information which barely anyone considers.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brugioni had his eyeball on what was going on in the days leading up to THOSE thirteen days in October. He provides excellent character sketches of all the main players as well as those who worked hard in the background on the photographs that proved Khrushchev had done the unthinkable - sent offensive nuclear missiles to Cuba. The story Brugioni tells is compelling; many of the antidotes are new to me (I have read too much on the Cuban Missile Crisis) and add humor, depth and sense of humanity to official Washington. There are definitely heroes (Lundhal, the President, Bobby Kennedy, McCone and Brugioni, himself) but even they are fully drawn characters who are shown in all their complexity. There are technical details (fascinating - reconnaissance photography and its interpretation is an amazing science) but they are put forth in a concrete and clear fashion. One of the best accounts I have read to date.

[Ferris Mx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this 25 years ago, and remembered it only moderately favorably. I had another look now to clear some shelf space. Actually, it was spectacular, a balanced and moderate reporting of events by an observer close to the scene, but not involved politically in a way that would entice the author to spin. Very enjoyable and direct. I think the footnoting could have been a bit more thorough.

Bobby Kennedy was a real piece of work. I think we're lucky that hotheaded bully never won the Presidency. JFK had strong moments and weak moments. RFK was his own worst enemy. I don't understand the idolization.

[Barry Kendrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top-notch insight into the events of the Cuban missile crisis.