Nuclear War

A Scenario

By: Annie Jacobsen

Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen

Brought to you by Penguin.

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 it could start in as little as 26 minutes and 40 seconds from now…

A pulse-pounding non-fiction thriller for listeners of American Prometheus by Kai Bird or Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham.

The first rule of nuclear war is that there are no rules.

Up to now, no one outside of official circles has known exactly what would happen if a rogue state launched a nuclear missile at the Pentagon. Second by second and minute by minute, these are the real-life protocols that choreograph the end of civilisation as we know it.

If a single nuclear missile is launched, it provokes two dozen in return. Frantic calls over secure lines work to confirm the worst as armoured helicopters are scrambled outside. Decisions over hundreds of millions of lives need to be made within six minutes, based on partial information, knowing that once launched, nothing is capable of halting the destruction.

Because the plans for General Nuclear War are among the most classified secrets held by the United States government, this book takes the listener up to the razor’s edge of what can legally be known. Based on dozens of new interviews with military and civilian experts who have built the weapons, been privy to the response plans, and been responsible for the decisions that will be made, this is the only account of what a nuclear exchange would look like.

Nuclear War is at once a compulsive non-fiction thriller and a powerful argument that we must rid ourselves of these world-ending weapons for ever.

©2024 Annie Jacobsen (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Well told fiction non-fiction

Terrifying how close we are to all of sudden no longer being. This book is great at drawing the reader in and along for the ride, as well as the scary realisation that once the nuclear train leaves there’s no stopping it.

Loved it!

Annie made a masterpiece here in my opinion. Highlights the true unpleasantness of having to endure a nuclear exchange, genuinely made me think differently about how destructive these weapons are. I’ve enjoyed all of her books but this was my favorite. Could not stop listening.

This book is terrifying and brilliant

It’s extremely difficult to get one’s mind around the subject and its scale. Annie does a brilliant job. I came away feeling like I need to spend more time with my family.

Brings Reality of Nuclear war

Written in story format telling the listener about a scenario of a nuclear war. With short history lessons in between. Highly recommended.

How 1 missile could end humanity

Every politician on the planet should be required to read this book! A sober warning to humanity.

MAD

Disturbing, but very important. Nuclear weapons are the enemy, not other countries. No one can win.

Nuclear Narrator

Listening to a robotic like voice makes for an unalluring experience and lacks human emotion in which should be captivating and enjoyable. I could not complete this audible.