Synopses & Reviews
An explosive rethinking of the power and purpose of nuclear weapons andmdash; and a call for radical action Nuclear weapons have always been a serious but seemingly insoluble problem: while theyandrsquo;re obviously dangerous, they are also, apparently, necessary. This groundbreaking study shows why five central arguments promoting nuclear weapons are, in essence, myths. It is a myth:
andbull; that nuclear weapons necessarily shock and awe opponents, including Japan at the end of World War II
andbull; that nuclear deterrence is reliable in a crisis
andbull; that destruction wins wars
andbull; that the bomb has kept the peace for sixty-five years
andbull; and that we canandrsquo;t put the nuclear genie back in the bottle
Drawing on new information and the latest historical research, Wilson poses a fundamental challenge to the myths on which nuclear weapons policy is currently built. Using pragmatic arguments and an unemotional, clear-eyed insistence on the truth, he arrives at a surprising conclusion: nuclear weapons are enormously dangerous, but donandrsquo;t appear to be terribly useful. In that case, he asks, why would we want to keep them?
This book will be widely read and discussed by everyone who cares about war, peace, foreign policy, and security in the twenty-first century.
Review
"Magisterial in its sweep, research, and erudition, yet written in a direct, unstuffy style, which makes it an easy read."
and#8212; Commander Robert D. Green, Royal Navy (ret.)
and#8220;Brilliant, original, and important and#8212; the best analysis yet of why nuclear weapons donand#8217;t work.and#8221;
and#8212; Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Making of the Atomic Bomb
and#8220;A superb examination of both historical and present day issues surrounding nuclear weapons of war. No matter your background or expertise, before you say or do anything else regarding and#8216;nukes,and#8217; Iand#8217;d strongly recommend you read and give serious consideration to the arguments in this terrific work.and#8221;
and#8212; General B. B. Bell, U.S. Army (ret.)
and#8220;Nine nations now possess nuclear weapons and a tenth seems intent on acquiring them. These states and their governments pose an existential threat to all humanity. Ward Wilsonand#8217;s brilliant deconstruction of the myths which cause states to pursue nukes and cling to their arsenals is an important step toward a saner world free of nuclear dangers.and#8221;
and#8212; Barry Blechman, Cofounder/Distinguished Fellow, The Stimson Center
"What makes his case so convincing (though not all will be convinced) is that he makes it not in the spirit of Utopian idealism, but fact-facing pragmatism." and#8212; Kirkus,starred review
"This slim, persuasively argued, tightly written book provides much food for thought and could make some readers radically change their perceptions about nuclear weapons." and#8212; Booklist
"Concise analysis...Wilson's theories are certain to create discussion and a reevaluation of assumptions on the topic." - Publishers Weekly, starred review"Concise analysis...Wilson's theories are certain to create discussion and a reevaluation of assumptions on the topic." and#8212; Publishers Weekly, starred review
Synopsis
Expanded from an article that created a stir in foreign policy circles, Five Myths About Nuclear Weapons makes an explosive case that these weapons just don't work.
Synopsis
Most of us think theres nothing new to say about nuclear weapons. Yes, they're horrible, possibly immoral, and definitely dangerous, but they feel necessary. If force is the final arbiter between nations, and nuclear bombs are the most powerful weapons, then were basically stuck with them. Arent we?
In this groundbreaking book, Ward Wilson delivers a resounding "No." Blowing the lid off a stale debate, he demonstrates that much of what we believe about nuclear weapons is based on emotion and exaggeration. He argues that our current nuclear policy is shaped by five stubborn myths: that nuclear weapons shock and awe opponents; that nuclear deterrence is effective in a crisis; that killing civilians causes leaders to back down; that the bomb has kept the peace for sixty-five years; and that we can't put the nuclear genie back in the bottle. Drawing on new facts and new historical research, Wilson shatters each and every one of these myths in a clear-eyed and refreshingly pragmatic way. The result is a game-changing book that will be widely read and hotly debated by all who care about peace in the 21st century.
Synopsis
A thought-provoking re-evaluation of nuclear policy and the myths surrounding it.
Synopsis
andldquo;Five Myths About Nuclear Weapons is accessible, short and breathless. It has the tone of a TED talk: an avid speaker bursting with one big idea and eighteen minutes to hold your attention.andrdquo; andmdash;New York Times
Nuclear war would be an apocalypse. Nuclear deterrence is effective in a crisis. Nuclear weapons shock and awe opponents. Killing civilians causes leaders to back down. The bomb has kept the peace for sixty-five years. These are the things we think we know about nuclear weapons, but it turns out they are myths, myths that nonetheless still shape our nuclear policy.
In Five Myths About Nuclear Weapons, Ward Wilson blows the lid off the stale debate surrounding nuclear weapons, stripping away emotion and exaggeration. By drawing on new facts and historical research, Wilson methodically shatters each of these myths in turn. His conclusions will surprise you, enlighten you, and spur debates about whether nuclear weapons have any power and importance in the twenty-first century.
About the Author
WARD WILSONandnbsp;is a senior fellow at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies of the Monterey Institute of International Studies. He has spoken before governments and at think tanks and universities, includingandnbsp;Stanford, Princeton, Georgetown, the Naval War College, and the United Nations.
Table of Contents
Introductionand#8195;xiiiMythand#8201;1
NUCLEAR WEAPONS SHOCK AND AWE OPPONENTS and#8195;1
Mythand#8201;2
H-BOMB QUANTUM LEAPand#8195;33
Mythand#8201;3
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE WORKS IN A CRISISand#8195;45
Mythand#8201;4
NUCLEAR WEAPONS KEEP US SAFEand#8195;66
Mythand#8201;5
THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVEand#8195;83
Conclusionand#8195;99
Acknowledgmentsand#8195;106
Notesand#8195;110
Bibliographyand#8195;129
Indexand#8195;160