The Armageddon Letters: Kennedy, Khrushchev, Castro in the Cuban Missile Crisis

by James G. Blight, Janet M. Lang

In October, 1962, the Cuban missile crisis brought human civilization to the brink of destruction. On the 50th anniversary of the most dangerous confrontation of the nuclear era, two of the leading experts on the crisis recreate the drama of those tumultuous days as experienced by the leaders of the three countries directly involved: U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, and Cuban President Fidel Castro. Organized around the letters exchanged among the leaders as the crisis developed and augmented with many personal details of the circumstances under which they were written, considered, and received, Blight and Lang poignantly document the rapidly shifting physical and psychological realities faced in Washington, Moscow, and Havana. The result is a revolving stage that allows the reader to experience the Cuban missile crisis as never before through the eyes of each leader as they move through the crisis. The Armageddon Letters: Kennedy, Khrushchev, Castro in the Cuban Missile Crisis transports the reader back to October 1962, telling a story as gripping as any fictional apocalyptic novel.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, War, Russia, American History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Angelmae]

A unique presentation of a well known but gradually forgotten moment in our history. Naturally the letters themselves were fascinating to the amateur historian such as me, but it was the graphic novel, the stage play, the vicarious experiences presented in this amazing project that made it such a literary achievement. I loved this book and all praise to the project as a whole.

[Virgil]

Brilliantly innovative and captivating piece of research and writing, that in its process of formation realized the declassification of dozens of diplomatic letters between leaders on the brink of nuclear Armageddon. The book is a service to humanity, and an enjoyable read. Any regular consumers of IR books and articles will find this a unique chance to read IR written almost as a novel.

The only way the book could be better is with a snappier less repetitive foreword and introduction, talking about the book as much as about the topic, and perhaps with even more character context. In its approach we only see the main characters at work in diplomacy and inside the situation of the Cuban missile crisis. It could be an even more enthralling read if it were more like a novel, peering into the lives of the main characters outside presidential offices.

[G Inotowok]

Incredible.

[Chris]

"The Cuban Missile Crisis was the most important non event in recorded history."

In 1962 the world came very close to Nuclear Armageddon, closer than at any other time in history. This book delves into how it came about and how it was narrowly avoided.

For all their faults Kennedy and Khrushchev deserve the world's respect for pulling out of that catastrophic nose-dive that would have killed millions.

While there are many other books on the subject, this is the first I've read that details Castro's involvement, something I feel is often overlooked.

Containing letters as well as dramatised discussions before and after the event, this is a fascinating and informative depiction of one of the most crucial moments of the Twentieth Century.

[Kaybroadnax]

Great read for anyone regardless if lived thru the Cuban Missile Crisis or not. Brings great perspective from all three sides of the conflict.

[Janci]

Every high school student should be required to read this book as an antidote to the culture in which we live.

[Mills College Library]

812.6 B6485 2012