Nuclear War: A Scenario

· Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Annie Jacobsen
4.9
45 reviews
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11 hr 19 min
Unabridged
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The INSTANT New York Times bestseller

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One of NPR's Books We Love

One of Newsweek Staffers' Favorite Books of the Year

Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize


“In Nuclear War: A Scenario, Annie Jacobsen gives us a vivid picture of what could happen if our nuclear guardians fail…Terrifying.”—Wall Street Journal

There is only one scenario other than an asteroid strike that could end the world as we know it in a matter of hours: nuclear war. And one of the triggers for that war would be a nuclear missile inbound toward the United States.

 
Every generation, a journalist has looked deep into the heart of the nuclear military establishment: the technologies, the safeguards, the plans, and the risks. These investigations are vital to how we understand the world we really live in—where one nuclear missile will beget one in return, and where the choreography of the world’s end requires massive decisions made on seconds’ notice with information that is only as good as the intelligence we have.
 
Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen’s Nuclear War: A Scenario explores this ticking-clock scenario, based on dozens of exclusive new interviews with military and civilian experts who have built the weapons, have been privy to the response plans, and have been responsible for those decisions should they have needed to be made. Nuclear War: A Scenario examines the handful of minutes after a nuclear missile launch. It is essential reading, and unlike any other book in its depth and urgency.

Ratings and reviews

4.9
45 reviews
Kenneth Yaw Agyeman-Badu
October 13, 2024
Annie Jacobson's bone-chilling book provides a clear-eyed look at the devastating consequences of nuclear war, making it essential reading for anyone unfamiliar with the topic. Her meticulous research and vivid descriptions offer a stark warning about the dangers of such a conflict. I highly recommend this thought-provoking work.
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Dalvinder Singh
July 30, 2024
Nuclear War: A Scenario - A Chilling Reality Check Annie Jacobsen’s *Nuclear War: A Scenario* is a harrowing and unflinching look into the potential consequences of a nuclear conflict. The book is a masterclass in investigative journalism, meticulously detailing a hypothetical nuclear exchange between North Korea and the United States. Jacobsen’s strength lies in her ability to transform complex scientific and military information into a gripping narrative. She paints a vivid picture of the immediate and long-term devastation, from the initial blast to the haunting aftermath of nuclear winter. The sheer scale of the catastrophe is overwhelming, and the author’s unflinching portrayal of human suffering is both heart-wrenching and essential. While the book is undoubtedly disturbing, it serves as a crucial wake-up call. Jacobsen’s meticulous research and detailed scenario-building create a chillingly realistic portrait of a world on the brink.
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Bart Lavis
July 20, 2024
Expertly described, written, and delivered. This is a horrifying look into the sum of all fears, total nuclear war. I'd recommend this book to those who do not think the sword of Damocles hangs over all of our heads.
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About the author

Annie Jacobsen is the author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist in history The Pentagon’s Brain, the New York Times bestsellers Area 51 and Operation Paperclip, and other books. She was a contributing editor at the Los Angeles Times Magazine. A graduate of Princeton University, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons. Jacobsen’s books have been named Best of the Year and Most Anticipated by outlets including The Washington Post, USA Today, The Boston Globe, Apple, and Amazon. Coverage has ranged from The New York Times to Joe Rogan’s podcast.

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