Survive the Bomb: The Radioactive Citizen's Guide to Nuclear Survival

by Eric G. Swedin (editor)

An examination of the American government’s Cold War national defense measures and public communications regarding protection from nuclear disaster.The launch of Russia’s Sputnik satellite in 1957 began an era where American citizens were haunted by fears of annihilation. Baby Boomers will remember Bert the Turtle, who instructed them how to “duck and cover.” Survive the Bomb documents other U.S. government efforts to calm the collective psyche with nuclear survival handouts.These cheerful and naïve representations unintentionally inspired countless schoolchildren to question authority at an early age. This strange era reached its peak in 1962 with the Cuban Missile Crisis, lasting at least until the fall of the Berlin Wall. The nightmare still lingers today with the terrorist threat of dirty bombs and efforts by countries like Iran and North Korea to build their own nuclear arsenals.In addition to Civil Defense brochures and pamphlets from the period, Survive the Bomb · Aftermath descriptions and casualty estimates at various distances from a nuclear blast · Civil Defense reports and recommendations to the United States Congress and President · Declassified nuclear wargame scenarios where the Department of Defense imagined the unimaginable· An introduction and commentaries by Cold War historian Eric G. Swedin

Genres: Nonfiction

191 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Yaaresse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having just read The Atomic Times: My H-Bomb Year at the Pacific Proving Ground
I thought this would make an interesting follow-up since it deals with how the US Government was marketing the nuclear age to the general population.

The majority of the book is reprints of brochures, cards, and reports issued by the Civil Defense to Americans that take the bizarre tone of hyper-cheerful, can-do patriotism and paranoia. Imagine a "Leave it to Beaver" episode mashed up with the 1950s movie Battle Beneath the Earth. There's even a reprint of part of a comic book where a typical 50s dad and his kids are holed up in a bunker while he explains to them what radioactive fallout is. It alternates between calm, patronizing reassurances that there is nothing to worry about and "THE ENEMY IS GOING TO DESTROY US ALL!" Swedin gives a general history of the Cold War, nuclear testing, and what the government was doing (or claiming to do) in preparation for an attack. Swedin keeps the material general and non-geeky, or as much so as possible given the subject. In all, it's a pretty quick read.

While I grew up when "duck and cover," Civil Defense siren tests, and "the communist menace" were known to me, it was at the tail end of the Cold War when the paranoia had died down. It's not like I knew anyone with a fall-out shelter or anyone really paid any attention to the screaming air raid siren tests. (I recall asking an adult neighbor what we were supposed to do if the alarm really went off. His response was "Hell if I know, kid. Pray and kiss your butt goodbye, I guess.") It would be easy for me to laugh at what appears to be rampant paranoia. Would be. Could be. But all it takes is a look at the news or ads in most magazines -- or driving by the local survivalist store that features a $100k luxury bunker they want to sell you -- to convince me that little has changed in the cheerful paranoia department. Only the names and names of countries who are considered threats have changed. In 50 years, there will be a different version of this same book except for the 2000s.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a HILARIOUS look at the justifiable paranoia surrounding the ATOMIC AGE in the the late 40's the 50's and the 60's.

DUCK AND COVER!

Many parts of this book are re-printed U.S. Government pamphlets that are strangely funny and very frightful at the same time. If you want to know how to build a bomb shelter..it's here.If you want to learn how to survive without a shelter it's here.

Actually..it was all for naught...it was a waste of time..nothing but a placebo for a worried public. IF there was nuclear war there is no doubt that I would not be writing this review!

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a decent amount of interesting information and a lot of documentation I've never seen before, but the huge need for editing and the abrupt connections made reading it a bit too much of a chore.

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not quite what I expected, but I did like it. It was full of information that was given to the public about nuclear fallout. Information like what to do, what to expect, how to pack your survival kit and how to build your safe space.

[Big H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but still cool. Not a lot of new writing, but cool lots of cool reproductions of Cold War survival booklets and wallet cards.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun way to present this information! It was both informative and fun to read. I feel prepared for the Cold War.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but the eBook version had a ton of distracting typos.