Nuclear War

A Scenario

By: Annie Jacobsen

Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen

The INSTANT New York Times bestseller

Instant Los Angeles Times bestseller

Finalist, Dayton Literary Peace Prize

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.

Stunning, compelling, frightening

One of the most intense books I’ve read in a long, long time.
Though this isn’t non-fiction, it’s well researched and compelling in its adherence to facts, truths, and likely scenarios.

If nothing else, it’s a must read for anyone who wants to consider the futility of believing we are “safe” from the worst of humanity and our ability to ignore reason.

Compelling, frightening, and well done. Thanks to Dan Carlin for highlighting this amazing book.

Awesome listen!

The horrible (in a good way) facts and terrors of what can happen at any moment without nearly anyone on Earth having a say.

Thorough description of how things will happen...

A somewhat depressing explanation of the ticking clock to annihilation of all we know. Us fickle Americans should take note when we go about our daily lives and how things could change so fast.

Different than others on the topic

This is a mix of history, thrill, and one potential future. Must listen. 5 stars

Informative & SCARY

This reads like a fiction book but it could all happen….
Let’s Pray it doesn’t