The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and its Dangerous Legacy

I would strongly disagree with the reviewer who called it "asinine." The author is not sympathetic to one side or another, he mostly presents a factual history of the end of the cold war. He DOES however attempt to relate what Gorbachev and Reagan were thinking during tense moments by quoting from their personal notes and diaries. It does allow the author to paint a more human picture of Gorbachev, one of a man who was interested in ending the arms race. Perhaps this ins't palatable to someone who grew up mid-century and understandably objects to any gentle portrayal of Soviet leadership.

It also paints an interesting picture of Reagan - who like Bush II - was obsessed by technological possibility. It makes Reagan seem almost naive in his conviction that technology could somehow bring peace to the world through SDI. The moment where Gorbachev offers Reagan complete nuclear disarmament in exchange for non-deployment of space based lasers - only to have Reagan reject the offer - is amazing. Having grown up at the end of the last century, much of this material is new relative to what you learn in standard history courses (and I took plenty of them). It's been a truly enlightening read to understand how we've arrived at our current state. A recent issue of Foreign Affairs has an essay suggesting that we are still in a cold war defense mentality - expanding our weapons systems and technology - when in fact this strategy no longer serves our national interest. And this book explains exactly why we think this way.

With regard to content - the "asinine" reviewer is correct. There isn't much about The Dead Hand aside from a general overview. But the true purpose of the book is to help understand the development and legacy of weapons of mass destruction created by the Soviets. It is easily one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to and an essential read to understand the end of the cold war.

This certainly was an in depth study of the weapons systems created by both the Soviet Union and to a lesser extent America; the politics surrounding them, and the consequences of their creation. It is clear the author researched the subject deeply in this academic standard publication. That some subjects were only discussed in passing was because they were peripheral to the subject of the book; lightly covered is not the same as simplistic and this is far from simplistic book.
It is rare to find a book of this standard in audible. Usually they are in university bookstores. That Foreign Affairs rates this book highly speaks for itself also. More please.
Essential listening for cold war students.

This book fills the listener in on what took place during the Cold War Arms Race and humanizes it in terms of the key players. Gripping, alarming, troubling - everything you thought took place did, but not always in the way(s) you thought. For example, it came as a deep revelation to Ronald Regan that the Russians were afraid of the US and what the leadership might do. His thinking was turned on its head. This is a history of the Cold War and how it came to an end. More importantly, it is informative history filled with insights and lessons to be drawn. Hoffman's detailed research of Russian and US documents and remembrance yields here a very valuabe addition to our understanding of that era. Hoffman's writing is wonderful and the reading of Bob Walter is more than adquate for the task. This is not dry history...it is worth the time of anyone even tangentially interested in the period covered.

I lived through these times but purposely did not read the paper or listen to the news. I knew I had no control over events and I did not want to think about them. As I child of the 60's who went to a school which had a sign with an arrow to the "Fall Out Shelter" I assumed that nuclear war was a matter of when. I half heard the news through th 80's through osmosis.

This book was great. Now the greatest danger is past it is great to read about it. I think the author gives Reagen far too much credit. Gorbachev truly deserves credit for really trying a new way. Maybe Reagen deserves credit for realizing Gorbachev was a truly different leader.

Anyways we were lucky that a nuclear war didn't happen by accident.

There is still a lot of scary stuff in existence in the world - pathogens and chemicals and nuclear materials. But somehow it feels a lot more under control.

This was an interesting book about the Soviet chemical and bio weapons program during the end of the cold war. I found it somewhat disturbing to find out about how much of this work was being performed, and how cruel it would be if used in an actual confrontation. Nuclear weapons seem almost humane compared to some of the weapons presented in the book. Very interesting to read about some of the behind the scenes discussions during arms reduction negotiations. Overall the tone had a very Pro-American slant when presenting events, but was for the most part not condescending towards the Soviets.

For those interested in the Cold War and its legacy this is a terrific book. Three things remain with me after listening to it. First, the massive resources, both human and material, that were devoted to either our mutual destruction or the prevention of our mutual destruction (depending on where in the mad circle you choose to begin your analysis) are a sad comment on human nature. Second, notwithstanding the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the danger remains and is likely greater. Third, the legacy of the arms race is not merely nuclear weapons but also biological weapons, and given the relative ease of making those weapons the danger they pose is that much greater.

The specific events that I remember from the news assumed a greater signifance and were put in context. The Chernobyl disaster for example and the shooting down of Korean Airlines Flight 007.

Mr. Walter read the book well. There is a hint of accent in the words attributed to Eastern European characters but it is not over done. He did not insert himself into the account by conveying belief or disbelief at various claims made by the participants in these events.

To date, The Dead Hand was the most enthralling audiobook I have enjoyed.

I liked learning the details about the news snippets I heard in the eighties and nineties.

Mr. Walter has a clear and captivating narration style that holds one's attention rather firmly, leaving little opportunity for the mind to wander.

Oh, how close to the cliff!

A worthwhile information and entertainment investment.

This is a waste of paper pulp! The picture it paints of Ronald Regan has ABSOLUTELY NO basis in reality. The author's presentation is one which would not be out of place in the works of one of Leonid Brezhnev's simpering, sycophantic "court writers." It presents an utterly simplistic view of the Soviet Union and glosses over a great many issues. It is written in a disjointed style with competitively little material actually devoted to the books namesake, namely the Dead Hand system.