Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Nuclear War
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
15 posts | 11 read | 21 to read
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 inwhere one nuclear missile will beget one in return, and where the choreography of the worlds end requires massive decisions made on seconds notice with information that is only as good as the intelligence we have. Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsens 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.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
catiewithac
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image
Pickpick

A page-turner so scary that I had to stop reading it a few times. How did tax payers get tricked into paying for an arsenal of certain Armageddon?! It boggles my mind to know how close we are to tripping over this deadly cliff. A must read book in every language and society.

Chelsea.Poole I‘m already terrified and I know so little. I know this book will wreck me! I‘m on hold for it and simultaneously looking forward to it and not looking forward to it. 2w
AmyG I will never forget this book. And yes, everyone should read this. Apparently, as we see today, Americans are easy to trick. (edited) 2w
62 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
marleed
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image

I‘m very content with my first grid of 2025 because even a 4.5 breaks down to a A- with my subjective logic. Next Dec I believe I‘ll be including the tagged when posting about my favorite reads of the year.

5* = Loved It, want to shout out loud about this book! I do/will own/keep a physical copy. A+
4*= I liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3*=Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2*=Nope D
1*=DNF F

Kristy_K Great start to the year! 2mo
marleed @Kristy_K There are so many new books published last Tuesday or next Tuesday that are already on my TBR. If this is an indication of my need to read bright and shiny new things my physical unread books as 2024 ended may be in a similar state as 2025 ends! 2mo
67 likes2 comments
review
TrishB
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image
Pickpick

2 things the government told teenage me in the 1980s- sex with anyone, ever will give you AIDS and you will die. Hide under the stairs or a table and you‘ll survive nuclear war. As we know, both are a big, fat lie. I learned politicians lie.
‘Humans‘ ability to do science has helped humans refine killing.‘
There will be no winners in a nuclear war.
6 minutes to decide how and who to kill?
Terrifying scenario.

LeafingThroughLife I keep almost stacking this, but I think I‘m too afraid of it to actually read it….. 😬 2mo
BarbaraBB Fantastic review and I want to read it and yet I am terrified to 2mo
AmyG Exactly. I can only hope that if there is a nuclear war….a bomb lands on my house. You will want to go in a millisecond. 2mo
See All 19 Comments
TrishB @LeafingThroughLife @BarbaraBB it is very sobering! 2mo
TrishB @AmyG me too 😞 if you haven‘t read this one I would recommend. A novel about how we get to the press the button point. 2mo
quietlycuriouskate @LeafingThroughLife My thoughts exactly! 2mo
DogMomIrene Great review! This book, like a good chunk of the 80s, was terrifying! 2mo
squirrelbrain I agree @LeafingThroughLife @BarbaraBB - it sounds too scary for me. 2mo
TrishB @DogMomIrene definitely 👍🏻 2mo
TrishB @squirrelbrain it is terrifying! 2mo
Ruthiella Very sobering. Like @AmyG , I don‘t want to survive something like that. Also, your review reminds me that we humans have a tendency to idealize the past. The ‘80s in their way were just as uncertain and terrible as now. 2mo
TrishB @Ruthiella agreed! But we didn‘t have instant news and social media in the 80s, which I think heightens the anxiety levels. 2mo
Deblovestoread I swear I have a bit of PTSD from a film I saw in grade school and practicing getting under my desk. Just thinking about it increases my heart rate. I want to read but am terrified to try. Agree about heighten anxiety due to social media and instantaneous news bites. 2mo
Reggie If I‘ve watched Threads, can I skip this? Or do I read it for the scare factor? 2mo
CarolynM At primary school in the 70‘s we weren‘t told to hide anywhere, just that if a bomb was dropped on our city we‘d all be dead instantly. I think I was in grade 3 at the time. Then in grade 6 or 7 they made us read a book set after a nuclear war in which several characters were dying of radiation sickness. I can‘t imagine why I support CND or why I freaked out when we drove through a decommissioned Soviet era nuclear power station in Czechia… 2mo
TrishB @Deblovestoread I think of a certain age we‘re all scarred by stuff in school! 2mo
TrishB @Reggie I‘m trying to decide which is scarier! Both are brutal in different ways. 2mo
TrishB @CarolynM same! That stuff in school had a lasting effect. 2mo
Oryx Just finished this. Terrifying. 2mo
93 likes2 stack adds19 comments
review
marleed
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image
Pickpick

Well 💩, this was terrifying. Required reading if you dare. But holy 💩!

DogMomIrene Felt the same way! I lurk in many subreddits and I recommended this book in one. Someone commented on how repetitive it was, and I really wanted to be like “yeah death and mayhem seem on par for nuclear annihilation. Sorry there‘s so much of it, but it‘s not fiction”🤦🏻‍♀️ 2mo
marleed @DogMomIrene Yeah, it wasn‘t written as entertainment so lacks the flow of a novel. I appreciated any repetition because that gave significance to that horrifying element. …Disaster movies leave out that those able to attempt to run from a nuclear fallout are doing so with explosive diarrhea- no change of clothes and only contaminated water for cleanup. 😳 2mo
DogMomIrene @marleed Yes! I finally watched The Day After after reading this one, and it was still pretty tame in comparison. And my parents wouldn‘t let me watch it when it aired on network tv, but compared to reality, such a drop in the bucket. 2mo
65 likes5 stack adds3 comments
blurb
Amiable
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image

#2024ReadingBrackets I read a lot of really good NONFICTION this year. The tagged book was my pick for December. However, after the dust settled in this category I had to give the nod to “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space” by Adam Higginbotham. Higginbotham managed to keep me on the edge of my seat – even though I knew how the story ended. That‘s a master journalist right there.

JenReadsAlot I've read a few of those and they are great books! I need to read your favorite! 2mo
Deblovestoread Took a screenshot because I 💯 trust your nonfiction recommendations. Have Challenger on audio already so will move it up to the top of the list. 2mo
Amiable @JenReadsAlot @Deblovestoread Nonfiction readers need to stick together! 😀 2mo
JenReadsAlot Facts! Lol 2mo
43 likes5 comments
blurb
AmyG
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image

#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65

My favorite non-fiction book of the year. Everyone should have to read this.

Amiable Such a gripping, horrifying, important book! It was my reading bracket winner for December. 2mo
AmyG I can‘t get out of my mind what you told me your son said….about the country who starts it all will be the most unlikely suspect. If it happens in the next 4 years…..us? 2mo
Amiable @AmyG I sort of assumed that he meant it would be a country that isn't high on our “worry list,“ like North Korea and Russia are. I have no idea which ones he was talking about. I am at the point now (what with is heading our way on Jan. 20) that ignorance is bliss. Heck, it works for the majority of voters. 2mo
Andrew65 Strange and worrying times ahead inded! 2mo
42 likes4 comments
review
Amiable
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image
Pickpick

Read a detailed, minute-by-minute narrative about how nuclear war would likely unfold and destroy life as we know it just a few weeks before America‘s love child of Caligula and mad King George retakes the White House? Sure, why not? I already wasn‘t sleeping.

AmyG What a book! Who needs sleep? 3mo
Amiable @AmyG It‘s going to be a long, exhausting 4 (more) years. 😖 (edited) 3mo
DGRachel This may be my favorite book review and description of the menace to come. I‘ll never be able to listen to “You‘ll Be Back” from Hamilton without picturing that unhinged man. 😳 3mo
See All 9 Comments
Amiable @DGRachel Ugh, I love that song and musical. I don‘t want him anywhere near it. 😫 3mo
AmyG He isn‘t even sworn in and it‘s already exhausting. 😞 (edited) 3mo
SamAnne I have never been so affected by an election. (edited) 3mo
Amiable @SamAnne I know how you feel. This election broke me in ways that may be irreversible. 3mo
DogMomIrene Yeah, this book is a gut punch. Combine it with 🍊man, his inept cabinet picks, and the world stage, and even living in 🇨🇦as PRs, we‘re freaking out. There‘s part of me that wants to reread this one, but the bottom line seems to be that once one nuke launches, humanity can kiss goodbye😭 3mo
Amiable @DogMomIrene Yep. That‘s the takeaway: that those who actually survive the nuclear attacks will wish they hadn‘t. 😳😖 3mo
64 likes9 comments
blurb
AmyG
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image

Favorites…The Wedding People and Blue Sisters.

BarbaraBB I still want to read both! 3mo
squirrelbrain I loved Blue Sisters and I‘m about halfway through The Wedding People, also great so far. 3mo
AmyG @BarbaraBB OOOOOh you are in for a treat. I loved both so much. 3mo
BarbaraBB I believe you 🤍 3mo
46 likes4 comments
blurb
AmyG
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image

Perhaps one of the most unforgettable books I will ever read. Not for the faint of heart.

Amiable My youngest son is a threat and missile systems engineer who spends his days analyzing and building aerodynamics models that identify perceived threats from foreign missiles. He has top secret security clearance and can't talk about his work in detail, but I asked him one time if we should be worried about North Korea. He said it's the countries we don't ever think about that should worry us. I still have trouble sleeping since he told me that. 3mo
AmyG Amiable Wow. And now I will be wondering who that would be. He has some job. Just wow. 3mo
bookishbitch The older I get, and the more I know, the more I welcome death. The world just has so much awful in it. I just hope it's quick. That said, I want my family to have long and happy lives. I can't read this because I fear it would give me nightmares. 3mo
AmyG @bookishbitch Oh, it will give you nightmares. Frightening book. 3mo
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
AmyG
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image

As if the election wasn‘t stressful enough….I had to start this one. 😬

What would it be like if North Korean launched a weapon to hit the US….the outline of a timeline of destruction.

I must be out of my mind.

wanderinglynn Have you received your #HHS box yet? 4mo
TheBookHippie I have enough anxiety 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫. 4mo
Bookwormjillk Yikes Amy 4mo
See All 15 Comments
AmyG @wanderinglynn I am in MI. I get home on 10/28 and will pick up my mail. I will post immediately if I get it. 4mo
wanderinglynn Thank you! 🎃🧡 4mo
kspenmoll I just could not read that right now. Too much gloating anxiety re: politics here! 4mo
Deblovestoread You are very brave! 😬 4mo
Suet624 Oh Lordy!! 4mo
TheLudicReader Jordy from Jordy‘s Bookclub said this was the scariest book he‘s ever read. I like my scares less realistic, thank you. 😂 4mo
marleed @TheLudicReader @AmyG I saw Jody‘s Instagram post for the 10 books to read before the end of the year and this was his #1 pick - and the only one I hadn‘t read. I put a Libby hold on it but it won‘t drop until late Dec or Jan. I‘m hoping by then with the election over and hopefully moving toward a kind nation I will be in the headspace to read this. Gosh, I hope I don‘t have to cancel my hold for politics shifting to a very dark place. 4mo
AmyG @TheLudicReader @marleed It‘s a very frightening book. But I am determined to stick with it. It‘s pretty incredible. 4mo
DogMomIrene I read based off Jordy‘s review too. It really should be required reading worldwide. Bought all her other books, but I don‘t think they‘ll be nearly as anxiety-inducing as this one. 4mo
AmyG @DogMomIrene I had to read it because it was said it should be required. 4mo
sarahbarnes That sounds like a lot, but important. 4mo
MemoirsForMe Oh my! 4mo
54 likes1 stack add15 comments
review
Bookboss
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image
Pickpick

Jacobsen takes us through a scenario of the USA response to a nuclear attack. As she tells the story, she details the research she has done into the USA‘s defenses and plans for counterattacks. She includes sidebars that explain the history of policies and procedures. She includes a section of notes and an extensive bibliography. I would like to do more research into the accuracy of her information, but she is convincing. This book is terrifying.

review
DavidDiamond
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image
Pickpick

Are you feeling stressed by today's political climate? Then have I the book for you! Escape into a hypothetical scenario of nuclear war!
What I assumed would be a book as dry as radioactive concrete debris was actually a propulsive and engaging minute-by-minute scary AF timeline about how 12,000 years of civilization can be wiped away in just mere hours.

"Humanity is just one misunderstanding, one miscalculation away from nuclear annihilation."

33 likes1 stack add
blurb
BilboBookends
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image

This is one of the most terrifying books I have ever read 😱

blurb
AmyG
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image
CBee Ooooo I want to read the Caleb Carr! 9mo
52 likes1 comment
review
jlhammar
Nuclear War: A Scenario | Annie Jacobsen
post image
Pickpick

“The survivors will envy the dead.”

Are you looking to feel even worse about the state of the world and what the future holds? Have I got the book for you!

Just kidding (kind of). This was seriously terrifying. An important reminder though in terms of the immediacy of the threat (the situation humanity has gotten itself into really is insane) and how very important it is to elect wise, responsible leaders who aren‘t volatile.

AmyG I just picked this up as I read a wonderful review. Now Ijust need the nerve (and time) to read it. 10mo
TieDyeDude I am interested in this, seen some excellent reviews, but I've read a lot of downers lately. 😕 I'll have to be in the right headspace first 10mo
DavidDiamond I swear I didn‘t steal your opening paragraph for my review! 😂 8mo
jlhammar @DavidDiamond 😂 Great minds. Scary AF is right! 8mo
65 likes4 comments