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  • Nuclear War

  • A Scenario
  • Written by: Annie Jacobsen
  • Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen
  • Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (29 ratings)

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Nuclear War

Written by: Annie Jacobsen
Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen
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Publisher's Summary

The INSTANT New York Times bestseller

Instant Los Angeles Times bestseller

“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 listening, and unlike any other book in its depth and urgency.

©2024 Penguin Audio (P)2024 Annie Jacobsen

What the critics say

“Gripping . . . essential if you want to understand the complex and disturbing details that go into a civilization-destroying decision to drop the Bomb on an enemy. . . . Jacobsen has done her homework. She has spent more than a decade interviewing dozens of experts while mastering the voluminous literature on the subject, some of it declassified only in recent years.”New York Times Book Review

“Timeless, masterful. . .A stomach-clenching, multi-perspective, ticking-clock, geopolitical thriller. Jacobsen expertly delivers a madman’s portrait of Armageddon, one made all the more impactful by the thought that it could literally occur at any moment. Almost novel-like in its presentation, Nuclear War: A Scenario represents the equivalent of an existential gut punch, a sickening and necessary reminder of how fragile every 21st century convenience becomes in the face of a blinding flash of light and near-instantaneous shockwave. Exhaustively researched and featuring interviews with professionals who truly understand just how close we continue to creep toward thermonuclear annihilation Nuclear War: A Scenario should be required reading for everyone alive today, especially for the politicians and policymakers who literally hold the precarious fate of our species in their hands.”—Forbes

“At once methodical and vivid. In documenting the minutiae of the apocalypse, the writing is redolent of 'Hiroshima', a seminal article by John Hersey published in the New Yorker in 1946.”—The Economist

What listeners say about Nuclear War

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredibly effective in its goal

I’ve had a sick feeling for a few days since absorbing this book. I feel ‘absorbing’ is the appropriate term because most people, myself included, are completely ignorant of the fact that every day we are here is due purely to luck. Everything, literally everything, can all be gone in a few hours.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

It's terrifying and excellent, a real eye opener!

A story that is so close to reality you wonder what will the future bring? The reality of how much happens in a few minutes!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

That Voice.

I normally like when the author reads their book however her voice made it very hard to listen. I kept falling asleep. 😴

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very realistic and terrifying.

A stark and gripping scenario. Very well documented so that it cannot be disputed. I recommend it to everyone, especially those in charge.

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Devastating Consequences Unveiled

In the book, Jacobsen explores the harrowing possibility of nuclear war and its potential consequences. She delves into the historical context of nuclear weapons, examining past incidents and highlighting the current geopolitical landscape. Jacobsen's meticulous research and attention to detail provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

One of the key themes in the book is the importance of nuclear deterrence and its role in maintaining global stability. Jacobsen explores the delicate balance between nuclear powers and the strategies employed to prevent conflict escalation. She also sheds light on the potential risks associated with emerging technologies and the need for international cooperation in addressing these challenges.

The author's writing style is engaging and informative. Jacobsen presents complex concepts in a clear and accessible manner, making the book accessible to both experts and general readers. Her use of personal anecdotes and interviews with key figures adds a human touch to the narrative, allowing readers to connect with the subject matter on a deeper level.

Overall, "Nuclear War Scenario" is a thought-provoking book that raises important questions about the future of nuclear warfare and its implications for global security. Jacobsen's thorough research and compelling writing style make it a captivating read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of this critical issue.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A tragically captivating story

An amazing book, a very well minute by minute account of escalation and actions of many countries but be warned your consciousness will be changed after completing it.

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Riveting and horrifying

An absolutely stunning look into a hypothetical scenario that seems so far away, yet so close at the same time Jacobsen is a true artist.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

very detailed and well researched yet still hard to believe.

It's interesting, but I felt that it takes the scenario to an extreme that is hard to believe.
In particular, when discussing the impacts of an EMP attack, the author makes claims about how systems such as elevators in high rose buildings would be impacted, and they clearly did not research these details as they have made inaccurate claims. While there is chance of total apocalyptic full nuclear exchange, it's more likely that more of the systems will not operate as expected when so much of its reliability is counting on humans to behave as predicted.
The idea that the US or Russia would launch everything in their nuclear arsenals at each other when the initial attack came out of the blue and both sides know it was a third-party is very hard to swallow. Facts of continuity of government, and launch control mechanisms are very interesting and sources are credible.
I rate this 4 out of 5.

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The mad king and his nuke.

A frightening look at the reality of nuclear weapons and the probable consequences of their use. Don't read this at night.

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Horrifying

Hope this scenario never happens. Really eye opening for the world on what could happen today or tomorrow

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