Krieg Und Frieden Im Atom Zeitalter: Von Los Alamos bis SALT - John Newhouse

by John Newhouse

Krieg Und Frieden Im Atom Von Los Alamos bis SALT - John Newhouse

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 21, 1989

About the author

Wilfred John Newhouse was an American journalist and author.

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extended diplomatic history of the Cold War with a focus on the development and deployment nuclear weapons and efforts at arms control. The early chapters are the best part of the book, as Newhouse does a deep dive into the development of fission weapons, debates over their use in World War II, and their incorporation into post-war international politics. He then considers the creation of thermonuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, as well as the complex dynamic of alliances, crises, and summit meetings. Newhouse uses US presidential administrations to largely frame the story, though he gives excellent coverage to events in the Soviet Union and Europe. He also examines more briefly the nuclear programs of China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and South Africa. There is a lot of discussion of policy and policy-making as well on the personalities of key leaders and advisors. If there is a common theme, it seems to be the tragedy of power and mutual fear; there is an almost fatalistic quality to Newhouse's analysis. Another theme is the "two-level game": international politics and the domestic politics of each nuclear power always interacted, especially in arms control. Miscommunication and factionalism played as much a part of the Cold War as grand strategy and high technology. To his credit, no side in the story is viewed monolithically and no individual is reduced to a singular attribute. The later chapters, especially the last couple are the most dated, as the narrative ends around 1988, just shy of the end of the Cold War. Overall, despite the dated aspects, this is a very good overview of Cold War nuclear politics.

[Ted Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an old work but still informed and useful as background on the history of nuclear strategy. Newhouse reports interesting, rich, and informed detail. I had not read this in a few years but I found it well worth reading again. We can add detail now but I find little to alter. The Gorbachev, Reagan, and Thatcher Era coverage is rich with details about "minor" players but with an amazingly positive view of Mrs. Thatcher.

[Kameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Outdated (written in 1989), and still relevant as a history book. Mainly a chronological breakdown through presidential administrations to explain how international relations influenced nuclear policy and thought until the 1990s.

[Joseph Gagnepain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very tough book to get your hands on. It's been out of print for awhile. But if you want to really start to grasp international relations from post WWII to the 80's, mostly how the US juggled world politics, the cold war, nuclear weapons, multiple strategies on deterrence, multiple failed and successful arms control and arms reduction treaties, then this is the book. This book has a very detailed history of everything you ever wanted to know about the brass involved and offers very in depth analysis of what both sides were thinking, and more scary, what both sides were really willing to do to the world.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent discussion of Nuclear Weapon Policy and issues from the time of the Manhattan project through the Reagan years.

[Dan Zak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impressive in scope and reporting, and is sometimes a slog.

[Yara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of important information covering the Cold War from start through the time the book was written, however the writing was very dry and a bit difficult to get through.