'Command and Control' by Eric Schlosser delves into the precarious world of nuclear weapons and the systems designed to manage them. Through gripping narratives, it reveals the chilling realities of close calls and human errors that could have led to catastrophic disasters. Schlosser uncovers the hidden stories of the military, scientists, and politicians involved in the nuclear arms race, sparking questions about human fallibility. This riveting exploration of power, fear, and responsibility challenges readers to consider the true cost of that power. Will we ever be able to control what we have created, or is the danger far too great?
By Eric Schlosser
Published: 2014
"The management of nuclear weapons is ultimately a story about human beings: our fears, our hopes, and the precarious balance between them."
The Oscar-shortlisted documentary Command and Control, directed by Robert Kenner, finds its origins in Eric Schlosser's book and continues to explore the little-known history of the management and safety concerns of America's nuclear aresenal. “A devastatingly lucid and detailed new history of nuclear weapons in the U.S. Fascinating.” —Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine “Perilous and gripping . . . Schlosser skillfully weaves together an engrossing account of both the science and the politics of nuclear weapons safety.” —San Francisco Chronicle A myth-shattering exposé of America’s nuclear weapons Famed investigative journalist Eric Schlosser digs deep to uncover secrets about the management of America’s nuclear arsenal. A groundbreaking account of accidents, near misses, extraordinary heroism, and technological breakthroughs, Command and Control explores the dilemma that has existed since the dawn of the nuclear age: How do you deploy weapons of mass destruction without being destroyed by them? That question has never been resolved—and Schlosser reveals how the combination of human fallibility and technological complexity still poses a grave risk to mankind. While the harms of global warming increasingly dominate the news, the equally dangerous yet more immediate threat of nuclear weapons has been largely forgotten. Written with the vibrancy of a first-rate thriller, Command and Control interweaves the minute-by-minute story of an accident at a nuclear missile silo in rural Arkansas with a historical narrative that spans more than fifty years. It depicts the urgent effort by American scientists, policy makers, and military officers to ensure that nuclear weapons can’t be stolen, sabotaged, used without permission, or detonated inadvertently. Schlosser also looks at the Cold War from a new perspective, offering history from the ground up, telling the stories of bomber pilots, missile commanders, maintenance crews, and other ordinary servicemen who risked their lives to avert a nuclear holocaust. At the heart of the book lies the struggle, amid the rolling hills and small farms of Damascus, Arkansas, to prevent the explosion of a ballistic missile carrying the most powerful nuclear warhead ever built by the United States. Drawing on recently declassified documents and interviews with people who designed and routinely handled nuclear weapons, Command and Control takes readers into a terrifying but fascinating world that, until now, has been largely hidden from view. Through the details of a single accident, Schlosser illustrates how an unlikely event can become unavoidable, how small risks can have terrible consequences, and how the most brilliant minds in the nation can only provide us with an illusion of control. Audacious, gripping, and unforgettable, Command and Control is a tour de force of investigative journalism, an eye-opening look at the dangers of America’s nuclear age.
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“The management of nuclear weapons is ultimately a story about human beings: our fears, our hopes, and the precarious balance between them.”
Command and Control
By Eric Schlosser
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Eric Schlosser is an acclaimed American journalist and author, best known for his investigative works exploring the darker sides of American society. His notable books include "Fast Food Nation," which critiques the fast food industry and its impact on health and culture, and "Coalition of the Willing," which examines the complexities of the U.S. military and the politics of war. Schlosser's writing style combines thorough research with compelling storytelling, often weaving in personal narratives to highlight broader social issues. His work has earned him significant recognition, including a George Polk Award, and he continues to be a leading voice in discussions about food production, labor, and government accountability.
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