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msjoanna's review against another edition
3.0
A fascinating look at the acquisition of nuclear arms by Pakistan, as well as other countries. The book gave enough scientific explanation for me to be able to follow the details. Meanwhile, the personal stories of the scientists, politicians, and reporters were what really pulled this book together for me. Unfortunately, the book seems to be comprised of articles written for other purposes and the author did little to pull them together into a cohesive or flowing narrative. Thus, from one chapter to the next, there was often a shift in perspective or location that was somewhat disjointed.
Perhaps the most interesting chapter analyzed what it would take for a terrorist group to build a nuclear bomb without state sponsorship or state knowledge. Reviewing the conditions of protection of nuclear materials and the scientific requirements, Langewiesche makes clear that it would be possible, though not simple.
Perhaps the most interesting chapter analyzed what it would take for a terrorist group to build a nuclear bomb without state sponsorship or state knowledge. Reviewing the conditions of protection of nuclear materials and the scientific requirements, Langewiesche makes clear that it would be possible, though not simple.
mscoutj's review against another edition
1.0
The contents of the book were not really anything of note: nuclear bombs bad, rogue states or organizations with nuclear bombs badder. The narration was even worse. I don't need the reader to break into his worst Boris and Natasha Russian accent every time he quotes a Russian general. Frankly, anyone listening to a book about nuclear proliferation should be able to figure it out from the leading phrase "The Russian General said:..." It just became insulting after a while...
stacys_books's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating analysis on the underground of nuclear trafficking. Langewiesche analyzes the skill set a group of terrorists would need to have in order to get a hold of and detonate a nuclear bomb. He only lost me when he got technical on the bombs themselves, but he managed to keep things relatively accessible even to a technoidiot like me.
Yet he doesn't play down the threat. America and Russia we don't really need to worry about; the failsafes in place (even on the bombs themselves) make it extremely difficult for terrorist organizations to have the necessary skill set and resources. Now if Iran builds a bomb, we may have a different set of problems.
Yet he doesn't play down the threat. America and Russia we don't really need to worry about; the failsafes in place (even on the bombs themselves) make it extremely difficult for terrorist organizations to have the necessary skill set and resources. Now if Iran builds a bomb, we may have a different set of problems.
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