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Joseph M. Siracusa

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Nuclear Weapons Paperback – 1 June 2008

by Joseph M. Siracusa (Author)

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Part of: Very Short Introductions (285 books)

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Nuclear Weapons: A Very Short Introduction
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Despite not having been used in anger since Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Bomb is still the biggest threat that faces us in the 21st century. As Bill Clinton's first secretary of defence, Les Aspin, aptly put it: 'The Cold War is over, the Soviet Union is no more. But the post-Cold War world is decidedly not post-nuclear'. For all the effort to reduce nuclear stockpiles to zero, it seems that the Bomb is here to stay. This Very Short Introduction reveals why. The history, and politics of the bomb are explained: from the technology of nuclear weapons, to the revolutionary implications of the H-bomb, and the politics of nuclear deterrence. The issues are set against a backdrop of the changing international landscape, from the early days of development, through the Cold War, to the present-day controversy of George W. Bush's National Missile Defence, and the threat and role of nuclear weapons in the so-called Age of Terror. Joseph M. Siracusa provides a comprehensive, accessible, and at times chilling overview of the most deadly weapon ever invented. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

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Part of series

Very Short Introductions
Print length

160 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Oxford University Press BPS
Publication date

1 June 2008
Dimensions

11.43 x 1.27 x 17.78 cm
ISBN-10

0199229546
ISBN-13

978-0199229543
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Paperback
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Product description

About the Author

Joseph M. Siracusa is Professor in International Studies and Director of Global Studies, at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He is internationally known for his writings on nuclear history, diplomacy and presidential politics, and is also a frequent political affairs commentator in the Australian media, including ABC Radio National. He has worked at Merrill Lynch, in Boston; in the Department of History, University of Queensland; and served as a senior visiting fellow in the Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance, Griffith University. Among his numerous books are The American Diplomatic Revolution: A Documentary History of the Cold War; A History of United States Foreign Policy; Depression to Cold War (with David G. Coleman); Presidential Profiles: The Kennedy Years; and Real-World Nuclear Deterrence (with David G. Coleman).

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press BPS (1 June 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0199229546
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199229543
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11.43 x 1.27 x 17.78 cm

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Singingbowels

Another worrying book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 December 2013

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Scholarly but easy to read. A blend of history, technology and statistics. There is plenty of little seen or discussed material in here. Makes it so clear that the insanity is not yet over.

One person found this helpful

Dr. Lee D. Carlson

An excellent introduction

Reviewed in the United States on 16 August 2008

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Even if one has a good background in physics and technology the subject of nuclear weapons awakens a strong sense of foreboding. They have only been used twice in history: in the terrorist attacks perpetrated against Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. Hopefully they will never be used again in any capacity, but that seems doubtful considering the zeal with which terrorist groups and countries throughout the world attempt to acquire them. Having these weapons seems to instill national pride in the countries that do, or maybe even a strange sense of being invulnerable. It is difficult to assess whether the possession of these weapons by the United States and the Soviet Union averted conflict between these two nations, but there is no disputing that many ideological groups asserted that this was the case.

This assertion was the doctrine of `deterrence', and it and many other interesting topics are discussed in this highly informative book. The author has given the reader a general overview of the physics behind nuclear weapons, how they were invented, the use of them against Japan and the reactions of the world public on this use, and the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union and the aftermath thereof. There is enough material in this book to satisfy the needs of those readers who are pressed for time but need to gain an understanding of the powerful role that nuclear weapons have played on the world state in the last six decades. It would be an excellent book for young readers, particularly those born at the time that the "Cold War" was ending and need insight into the moods and rationalizations of policy makers in the post World War II era.

It is extremely doubtful that nuclear weapons will go away anytime soon, but it is also true that the new technologies of the twenty-first century may make them appear benign by comparison. All technology throughout history has found its way into extremely dangerous weaponry, nuclear weapons being of course the most dangerous to this date. But twenty-first century technology, already dwarfing the imagination and proving to be way beyond the predictions, may result in weaponry that will make warfare unthinkable. But as this book reminds us, this has been said before...

6 people found this helpful

S. Antropov

Sehr gute Einführung

Reviewed in Germany on 14 December 2010

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Als ich das Buch via Amazon entdeckte reizte mich vor allem der Zusatz "very short", besonders bei solch einem sehr weitem und viel umspannenden Themenbereiches.
Dieses Buch hält was es verspricht es gibt in aller Kürze eine gute Übersicht über Nuklear Waffen auf technischer Ebene, erklärt die Entwicklungen während des Kalten Krieges/ Ost-West-Konflikt, die Versuche der Abrüstung und schneidet auch die neuen Bedrohung, welche seit dem Ende des Kalten Krieges aufkamen (zentral: Terrorismus).

Nach dem Lesen des Buches, hat man einen guten Überblick und kann sich dann entscheiden, welche Bereiche, durch weitere Literatur, vertieft werden.

Fazit: Top-Buch mit Top-Inhalt

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Erich Rieder

More history and politics than technology

Reviewed in Germany on 4 October 2013

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A good book I found. For me the title is a bit misleading. This is not so much about the weapons themselves, but rather on the Cold War politics and strategies involved.
But anyway it is worth its money - and a quick read!

kc-lam

Good Read!

Reviewed in the United States on 28 June 2009

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This book offers a lively introduction to the history and politics of nuclear weapons. I find the review of effectiveness of non-proliferation efforts in recent years stimulating. For example, efforts to roll back the India-Pakistan nuclear arms race have been unsuccessful. However, within months of shutting down the international trafficking network of atomic technology and materials setup by Pakistani atomic scientist Dr. A. Q Khan in year 2004, Libya renounced its nuclear programme. By the way, brief account of the science of nuclear weapons and technology of "Star War" defense system are particularly interesting.

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Joseph M. Siracusa

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