Description
Book SynopsisThis book is a history of the complex relations between scientific advisors, primarily physicists, and U.S. presidents in their role as decision makers about nuclear weapons and military strategy.
Trade Review"This is an important book. . . . One strength of the work is its thoroughness in tracing the steps at which science advice has influenced momentous decisions. Another is how it delineates the gradual erosion in the impact of science advice. . . . There are many other lessons to learn from reading the book carefully, and I strongly recommend it." —Wolfgang K. H. Panofsky,
Physics TodayTable of ContentsPart I. Urgent Appeals, 1939-1952: The Advent of Nuclear Weapons: 1. A closely knit group of people: the decision to build the atomic bomb 2. No acceptable alternative: the decision to use the atomic bomb 3. Necessarily an evil thing: the debate over the H-bomb 4. A point of no return: the opportunity for a nuclear 'standstill' Part II. Fragile Hopes, 1953-1960: The Impetus Towards Arms Control: 5. Racing toward catastrophe: atoms for peace and war 6. An age of danger... from the Killian report to Sputnik 7. A vested interest in this field: the President's science advisory committee and the test ban Part III. Guarded Futures, 1961-1988: The Perils and Promises of New Technology: 8. 'Where a fresh start is badly needed: politics and science in the Kennedy administration 9. A nation cannot be built with gadgets: Johnson, Hornig, and the Vietnam war 10. No longer as adviser but as citizen: the crisis of science advising under Nixon and Ford 11. We want you to know of our judgment: science and conflict in the Carter administration 12. The president doesn't care about wavelengths: the Reagan revolution and the origins of SDI Conclusion: speaking the truth to power Appendixes notes Bibliography Index.
