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The INSTANT New York Times bestseller
Instant Los Angeles Times bestseller
One of NPR’s Books We Love
One of Newsweek Staffers’ Favorite Books of the Year
Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize

“Nuclear War: A Scenario, Annie Jacobsen gives us a vivid picture of what could happen if our nuclear guardians fail…Terrifying.” —Wall Street Journal

A nuclear war is one of the only events—aside from an asteroid impact—that could bring an end to civilization in just hours. One of the most likely triggers for such a catastrophe would be the detection of an incoming nuclear missile aimed at the United States.

Throughout history, journalists have investigated the inner workings of the nuclear military complex, including its technology, safeguards, strategic plans, and risks. These deep dives are crucial to understanding the dangerous reality we live in—where a single missile launch could set off a deadly chain reaction, and where decisions that could determine the fate of the world must be made in mere seconds, based on intelligence that is often incomplete or uncertain.

Pulitzer Prize finalist Annie Jacobsen’s Nuclear War: A Scenario presents a gripping, thoroughly researched account of this terrifying possibility. Drawing on exclusive interviews with military and civilian experts—those who have designed nuclear weapons, developed response protocols, and prepared to make unimaginable decisions—Jacobsen offers an unparalleled look at what would unfold in the critical minutes following a nuclear launch.

With its depth and urgency, Nuclear War: A Scenario is an essential read, shedding light on one of the greatest existential threats facing humanity today.