The Nuclear Taboo: The United States and Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons Since 1945 - Cambridge Studies in International Relations Book 87 | History, Political Science & International Relations Research for Academics and Policy Makers

I am extremely impressed with this book, "The Nuclear Taboo - The United States and the Non-Use of Nuclear Weapons since 1945" by Nina Tannenwald. I can only envy the author's research and thoroughness throughout this compelling work. From 1960 through 1966 at The Mitre Corporation I was immersed in the U. S. Air Force plans for actually winning a nuclear exchange with the Soviet Union! I was involved with the decisions to shift from "MAD" to "Flexible Response" under President Kennedy and Secretary of Defense McNamara. I witnessed 26 thermonuclear weapon bursts over Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean during the last U. S. nuclear tests in the atmosphere. I was further involved in measures to avoid the use of nuclear weapons during the Vietnam War in 1967/'68. Since then i have followed the shifting situation vis-a-vis nuclear proliferation from the end of atmospheric testing, the ending of all testing, the various "START" agremeents, and the spread of nuclear weapons technology to Israel, India, Pakistan and so forth. Yet I learned a tremendous amouunt from this book. As fas as I can discern, the author talked to everyone involved in any substantive way with nuclear weapons, their use and their control. I can readily support her thesis. I can also readily recommend this book to anyone concerned with their potential use in the future, either by an enemy state or, more likely, a terrorist group. How we prevent the latter is of prime importance. Richard S. Greeley, St. Davids, PA 19087. (E-mail: [email protected]