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Bomb Scare: The History and Future of Nuclear Weapons
Since their inception, nuclear weapons have multiplied at an alarming rate, leaving everyone from policymakers to concerned citizens wondering what it will take to slow, stop, or even reverse their spread. With clarity and expertise, Joseph Cirincione presents an even-handed look at the history of nuclear proliferation and an optimistic vision of its future, providing a comprehensive survey of the wide range of critical perspectives.
Cirincione begins with the first atomic discoveries of the 1930s and covers the history of their growth all the way to current crisis with Iran. He unravels the science, strategy, and politics that have fueled the development of nuclear stockpiles and increased the chance of a nuclear terrorist attack. He also explains why many nations choose not to pursue nuclear weapons and pulls from this the outlines of a solution to the world's proliferation a balance of force and diplomacy, enforcement and engagement that yields a steady decrease in these deadly arsenals.
Though nuclear weapons have not been used in war since August 1945, there is no guarantee this good fortune will continue. A unique blend of history, theory, and security analysis, Bomb Scare is an engaging text that not only supplies the general reader and student with a clear understanding of this issue but also provides a set of tools policymakers and scholars can use to prevent the cataclysmic consequences of another nuclear attack.
Cirincione begins with the first atomic discoveries of the 1930s and covers the history of their growth all the way to current crisis with Iran. He unravels the science, strategy, and politics that have fueled the development of nuclear stockpiles and increased the chance of a nuclear terrorist attack. He also explains why many nations choose not to pursue nuclear weapons and pulls from this the outlines of a solution to the world's proliferation a balance of force and diplomacy, enforcement and engagement that yields a steady decrease in these deadly arsenals.
Though nuclear weapons have not been used in war since August 1945, there is no guarantee this good fortune will continue. A unique blend of history, theory, and security analysis, Bomb Scare is an engaging text that not only supplies the general reader and student with a clear understanding of this issue but also provides a set of tools policymakers and scholars can use to prevent the cataclysmic consequences of another nuclear attack.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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202 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 30, 2015
I originally picked this up at the library as research for a post-apocalyptic story I am writing. This book was not what I actually had in mind. I have no regrets in reading it, but I was looking for something more towards the scientific end with notes on the after effects.
But I digress...
I can break the book down into a Good vs. Bad list. (Good and Bad in this case are relative to the reader, who may have a differing opinion of what was good or bad.)
The Good according to Me...
-The history behind the Atomic Bomb is fascinating and the author covers it in depth.
-The author's look at how the Iraq War has affected the world nuclear issue is interesting to say the least. (Although the author seems biased in his views... As a 3 time veteran of Iraq, I am a little biased as well, but for all different reasons.)
-The in depth look at the future of the nuclear race is almost scary but needs to be heard.
-The description of how the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has kept the world in check for nearly 60 years is amazing.
The Bad according to Me...
-The entire book reads like a Security Briefing. I have been through a multitude of those and had to fight to stay awake. (Much like mid way through the book...)
-The middle of the book, well most of the book, is about policies, treaties and the NPT. (While this is a portion of the history of Nuclear Weapons, it misses all of the advances and scientific breakthroughs.)
-The author focuses on the US as the basis for everything.
-The science behind the Nuclear arms race is sadly lacking after WWII.
I can describe the book simply... The History Channel and CSPAN present: Nuclear weapon threats and foreign policy.
Still worth a read, but don't put down Vonnegut for it.
But I digress...
I can break the book down into a Good vs. Bad list. (Good and Bad in this case are relative to the reader, who may have a differing opinion of what was good or bad.)
The Good according to Me...
-The history behind the Atomic Bomb is fascinating and the author covers it in depth.
-The author's look at how the Iraq War has affected the world nuclear issue is interesting to say the least. (Although the author seems biased in his views... As a 3 time veteran of Iraq, I am a little biased as well, but for all different reasons.)
-The in depth look at the future of the nuclear race is almost scary but needs to be heard.
-The description of how the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has kept the world in check for nearly 60 years is amazing.
The Bad according to Me...
-The entire book reads like a Security Briefing. I have been through a multitude of those and had to fight to stay awake. (Much like mid way through the book...)
-The middle of the book, well most of the book, is about policies, treaties and the NPT. (While this is a portion of the history of Nuclear Weapons, it misses all of the advances and scientific breakthroughs.)
-The author focuses on the US as the basis for everything.
-The science behind the Nuclear arms race is sadly lacking after WWII.
I can describe the book simply... The History Channel and CSPAN present: Nuclear weapon threats and foreign policy.
Still worth a read, but don't put down Vonnegut for it.
March 4, 2023
Not too bad but not that great either. If you have absolutely no background regarding the nuclear bombs and their history at all. this book, I believe, is a good QUICK read to understand the big picture. If I were to place it academically (so to speak) it would be for undergrad level type of reading.
If you’re in something like IR and want to learn about this area. I suggest you go on and read something like “the second nuclear age” by Paul Bracken to understand the politics of the bomb and also its proliferation etc. And if you want the details of the history on things like how US scientists and politicians were having conversation about the bomb at the time or how the Manhattan project came about there are variety of other books that provide more details (DM me).
This book is compulsory reading for the MIT open course (one that you can take for free without even having to log in) about nuclear history/policy. I am still figuring it out why. But the course is a bit old (I think).
All in all I’m quite bored, it’s readable but not fun.
If you’re in something like IR and want to learn about this area. I suggest you go on and read something like “the second nuclear age” by Paul Bracken to understand the politics of the bomb and also its proliferation etc. And if you want the details of the history on things like how US scientists and politicians were having conversation about the bomb at the time or how the Manhattan project came about there are variety of other books that provide more details (DM me).
This book is compulsory reading for the MIT open course (one that you can take for free without even having to log in) about nuclear history/policy. I am still figuring it out why. But the course is a bit old (I think).
All in all I’m quite bored, it’s readable but not fun.
January 9, 2025
"Often the biggest obstacle to solving a problem is convincing oneself that a solution is possible. -Joseph Cirincione
This book completely re-opened my eyes to the reality of just how intricately complex the political, economic and cultural systems which keep Earth from self-destructing are. And just how destructive humanity can be.
Cirincione has written a great book, up-to-date at its time of publication and informative without being superfluous.
THIS is the way we need to teach and learn history. In manageable, factual chunks, with objectivity and keenness, and acknowledging the roles of ALL actors whose vision and ambition has contributed to our journey. When we don't understand just how important these networks and connections are, we can often fall into the most dangerous trap of all: ignorance. When this happens, John Wolf's words ring true: "Whoops is not a good enough response."
I leave this reading challenged and inspired.
Note: I adore how this book closed off with a Shakespeare quote!
This book completely re-opened my eyes to the reality of just how intricately complex the political, economic and cultural systems which keep Earth from self-destructing are. And just how destructive humanity can be.
Cirincione has written a great book, up-to-date at its time of publication and informative without being superfluous.
THIS is the way we need to teach and learn history. In manageable, factual chunks, with objectivity and keenness, and acknowledging the roles of ALL actors whose vision and ambition has contributed to our journey. When we don't understand just how important these networks and connections are, we can often fall into the most dangerous trap of all: ignorance. When this happens, John Wolf's words ring true: "Whoops is not a good enough response."
I leave this reading challenged and inspired.
Note: I adore how this book closed off with a Shakespeare quote!
July 31, 2019
Published in 2008, this book on nuclear weapon history, theory, and policy is already very out-dated, especially in its discussions of current and "future" nuclear threats and developments.
However, the history provided and the outline of the drivers/barriers to nuclear proliferation make some of the chapters worthwhile.
An updated edition of this book that takes into account new global developments is needed.
However, the history provided and the outline of the drivers/barriers to nuclear proliferation make some of the chapters worthwhile.
An updated edition of this book that takes into account new global developments is needed.
October 30, 2017
A good, solid overview of the topic, with an emphasis on nuclear weapons and nonproliferation policy. Read some sections of this years ago, finally went through the whole thing cover to cover.
The book is well-organized and policy recommendations are clear and actionable.
The book is well-organized and policy recommendations are clear and actionable.
May 8, 2017
Simple and insightful. Case studies brief but precise.
October 30, 2017
A pretty good look at this subject....
January 16, 2018
Joseph Circincione is a brilliant scholar on the nuclear weapons regime.
February 17, 2020
Good primer. Conclusions and recommendations not overly affected by the intervening years.
April 7, 2020
This book is like a toddler's guide for Nuclear weapons.
September 18, 2023
Te lezen op een vlucht van Brussel naar Ibiza...
Beknopt en goed of kort door de bocht?
Beknopt en goed of kort door de bocht?
March 16, 2009
Cirincione’s book is divided into two parts. The first is a pamphlet size synopsis of nuclear science and the early years of the bomb. He recaps briefly policy breakthroughs (SALT I and II, START, SDI, etc…) and provides a good primer for those interested in atomic weapons. The second section is much larger and more detailed. It focuses on today’s nuclear world the policy implications of a post Cold War nuclear planet. Today’s biggest nuclear threat comes not from nation states, but from a select group of terrorist groups fixated on apocalyptic destruction. Al Qaeda is one such group. Terrorists hunting for the bomb are likely to look in destabilized post-Soviet nations or in radical states such as Pakistan. He explains the shift in U.S. foreign policy brought on by neoconserviates such as Elliot Abrams, Paul Wolfowitz, and Donald Rumsfeld. These men distrust treaties and argue that they rarely have tangible benefits on US security. Instead the propose unilateral action to force regime changes and re-stabilize a dangerous world proactively.
- Nuclear threat validates the rationality of neo-cons love of preemptive attacks, as preventing a nuclear attack before it happens is the only acceptable outcome.
- Libya’s abandonment of their nuclear program in 2003 marked a success for the Bush administration, but one not in line with the regime change aspect of neoconservative policymakers.
Despite the Iraq war and it’s numerous failures for the Bush administration (N. Korea more aggressively pursuing its nuclear program, an increase in Al Qaeda adherents and attacks, etc…), luckly proliferation should continue to decrease in the years to come. Cirincione offers some nuclear solutions.
- The most effective way to prevent nuclear terrorism “is to secure nuclear weapons and materials at the source. Acquiring weapons and materials is the hardest step for terrorists to take and the easiest for us to stop.” (141) focus should be on Russian material. Some covert bi-lateral actions during the past 20 years have done just this.
- Prevent nuclear fuel rods from becoming nuclear bombs (144).
- Preventing new states (149).
- Nuclear threat validates the rationality of neo-cons love of preemptive attacks, as preventing a nuclear attack before it happens is the only acceptable outcome.
- Libya’s abandonment of their nuclear program in 2003 marked a success for the Bush administration, but one not in line with the regime change aspect of neoconservative policymakers.
Despite the Iraq war and it’s numerous failures for the Bush administration (N. Korea more aggressively pursuing its nuclear program, an increase in Al Qaeda adherents and attacks, etc…), luckly proliferation should continue to decrease in the years to come. Cirincione offers some nuclear solutions.
- The most effective way to prevent nuclear terrorism “is to secure nuclear weapons and materials at the source. Acquiring weapons and materials is the hardest step for terrorists to take and the easiest for us to stop.” (141) focus should be on Russian material. Some covert bi-lateral actions during the past 20 years have done just this.
- Prevent nuclear fuel rods from becoming nuclear bombs (144).
- Preventing new states (149).
Read
January 26, 2013Not a complete waste of time, but too much of this feels cobbled together from pamphlets and conference reports. The book is a mishmash of historical, sociological and political approaches to proliferation, most of which felt quite basic, although I suppose that's not a hugely fair criticism to make of a general introduction, and generally I feel I was introduced.
A lot of time is spent emphasising the role America could and should be playing in the non-proliferation community; when the book was written in 2006 I imagine this might have been intended as a call to arms against Bush's overt policy of counter-proliferation and regime change. However, the passing of the baton to Obama has coincided with a more nebulous rhetoric vis-a-vis US security and militarism, and most of Cirincone's criticisms are too specific to have lasting relevance, while being too narrow to function as a decent history of American foreign policy.
This is also true of the political analyses of N.Korea, Pakistan and Iran in my opinion, which never delve deep enough to be genuinely convincing. That said, I thought the explanation of why unsecured materials are a greater threat than 'rogue states' was eloquently put, and I found it reassuring to note the substantial progress made in non-proliferation over 60 years. It's good to know that there's more to nuclear diplomacy than brinkmanship, even if Cirincione's account of it is relatively slight.
A lot of time is spent emphasising the role America could and should be playing in the non-proliferation community; when the book was written in 2006 I imagine this might have been intended as a call to arms against Bush's overt policy of counter-proliferation and regime change. However, the passing of the baton to Obama has coincided with a more nebulous rhetoric vis-a-vis US security and militarism, and most of Cirincone's criticisms are too specific to have lasting relevance, while being too narrow to function as a decent history of American foreign policy.
This is also true of the political analyses of N.Korea, Pakistan and Iran in my opinion, which never delve deep enough to be genuinely convincing. That said, I thought the explanation of why unsecured materials are a greater threat than 'rogue states' was eloquently put, and I found it reassuring to note the substantial progress made in non-proliferation over 60 years. It's good to know that there's more to nuclear diplomacy than brinkmanship, even if Cirincione's account of it is relatively slight.
January 29, 2009
This book contains a useful brief history of nuclear weapons. It reminds us of the massive arms build-up of the 1950s and 1960s and how the world came to the brink of annihilation in the Cuban missile program. It also puts into perspective international nonproliferation efforts which have enjoyed considerable success in slowing the spread of such weapons. Finally, it reminds us that arms control agreements beginning in the 1970s and accelerating in the late 1980s have dramatically reduced stockpiles making us all safer.
Latter chapters look at the Iraqi nuclear program and rehash tired arguments about the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq without adding anything new.
I have two main criticism. First, we don't get enough detail about how nuclear weapons spread to Israel, India, Pakistan, North Korea and elsewhere. We hear nothing about the Israeli program; likewise there is no real assessment of the state of the North Korean program. The author seems relatively complacent about the Iranian program, contrary to other sources who believe it is well-advanced and on the brink of producing a weapon within two or three years.
Second, the book often reads like a policy-wonk briefing paper from a Washington think-tank (which I guess it is). The author could and should have tried harder to write regular English for ordinary readers.
Latter chapters look at the Iraqi nuclear program and rehash tired arguments about the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq without adding anything new.
I have two main criticism. First, we don't get enough detail about how nuclear weapons spread to Israel, India, Pakistan, North Korea and elsewhere. We hear nothing about the Israeli program; likewise there is no real assessment of the state of the North Korean program. The author seems relatively complacent about the Iranian program, contrary to other sources who believe it is well-advanced and on the brink of producing a weapon within two or three years.
Second, the book often reads like a policy-wonk briefing paper from a Washington think-tank (which I guess it is). The author could and should have tried harder to write regular English for ordinary readers.
March 8, 2011
Honestly? I felt like I wasted $10 purchasing this book. In addition to having nothing new to add to what is currently a very timely and trending issue, Cirincione merely repeats the same tired lines and "the-sky-is-falling" rhetoric that he spreads on his Twitter feed and in his column for the Huffington Post.
Perhaps this book would be useful to those who are completely unfamiliar with this issue, but the treatment that Cirincione gives the subject is far from objective. Instead, he takes a decidedly slanted and one-sided view of telling the history and problem behind nuclear issues. However, the title is entirely misleading and there's nothing "scary" in the pages of this book that should have the reader rushing to pick it up and read it.
Instead, it's filled with the same stories, history, and plain old rhetoric that we've come to expect from Cirincione. If you've read anything he's written in the past, then you've likely also read what's in this book. Even though I largely disagree with Cirincione's perspectives, I had hoped for more...something new, and something timely.
Yet, at the end of the day, I found myself reading the same things I've been reading for the last 10 years. Needless to say, I was sadly disappointed.
Perhaps this book would be useful to those who are completely unfamiliar with this issue, but the treatment that Cirincione gives the subject is far from objective. Instead, he takes a decidedly slanted and one-sided view of telling the history and problem behind nuclear issues. However, the title is entirely misleading and there's nothing "scary" in the pages of this book that should have the reader rushing to pick it up and read it.
Instead, it's filled with the same stories, history, and plain old rhetoric that we've come to expect from Cirincione. If you've read anything he's written in the past, then you've likely also read what's in this book. Even though I largely disagree with Cirincione's perspectives, I had hoped for more...something new, and something timely.
Yet, at the end of the day, I found myself reading the same things I've been reading for the last 10 years. Needless to say, I was sadly disappointed.
July 21, 2008
3 months into my job at The Bulletin, I've finally found the book I wish I had read first. For anyone interested in world affairs and security, and especially any of my friends interested in having a decent conversation with me about my work, this is a must read. Accessible and, at times, fascinating.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews