March to Armageddon: The United States and the Nuclear Arms Race, 1939 to the Present

Ronald E. Powaski offers the first complete, accessible history of the events, forces, and factors that have brought the world to the brink of a nuclear holocaust. He traces the evolution of the nuclear arms race from FDR's decision to develop an atomic bomb to Reagan's decision to continue its expansion in the 1980's. Focusing on the forces that have propelled the arms race and the reasons behind the repeated failures to check the proliferation of nuclear weapons, Powaski discusses such topics as the Manhattan Project, the decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima, the debate over whether to share atomic information, the effect of nuclear weapons on U.S. military and foreign policy, and the role of these weapons in arms control negotiations in the last five presidential administrations.

About the Author :
Ronald E. Powaski teaches history at John Carroll University and Euclid Senior High School in Euclid, Ohio.

Review :
"My search for a solid survey history of the postwar nuclear arms race is finally over. This is the book I would have written, if I could."--H. Peter Krosby, SUNY at Albany "A solid, readable, but not intimidating introduction to the great question of our time."--Booklist "A remarkably concise, thorough, and balanced account....A very impressive accomplishment."--Isis "Accessible and scholarly....Powaski describes in clear detail the weapons development and arms control policies of presidents from Truman to Reagan....This comprehensive survey will be a basic resource for would-be arms controllers and disarmament activists."--Nuclear Times "This comprehensive survey will be a basic resource for would-be arms controllers and disarmament activists."--Nuclear Times "An excellent synthesis....In a concise, well-organized narrative, Powaski traces the grim story from pre-Manhattan Project days to the Reykjavik Summit....Clearly elucidates this complex and all-important subject."--Publishers Weekly "A detailed history of the arms race from the Manhattan Project to the Iceland Summit of 1986....Powaski provides the reader with the details of the arms race in a comprehensive, well-organized, well-written fashion."--Library Journal "[This volume] synthesizes and clarifies the existing literature in a way that makes a real contribution....A remarkably complex story, told with clarity, grace, accuracy, and pace."--Alex Roland, Duke University "A relentlessly precise, step-by-step account of the doomsday race, including Reagan's escalation."--Philip Berrigan "An exceedingly diligent and detailed survey of the unfolding arms race, very useful as a reference, carefully listing the items on the agenda of negotiations, the immediate circumstances, and the arguments advanced by the leading policy-makers and qualified commentators."--Theodore H. Von Laue, Clark University "A monumental book....The author is to be commended for a masterful job of explaining [the fine points of thermo-nuclear strategy] in capsule form but with precision."--History Book Review "A welcome addition to the literature on American nuclear policy."--Air Power Journal