"In Case Atom Bombs Fall": An Anthology of Governmental Explanations, Instructions and Warnings from the 1940s to the 1960s

With the very real possibility of nuclear war looming on the horizon from 1945 to the early 1960s, both federal and local governments took on the responsibility of educating Americans on how to survive the expected blasts, residual fallout, and radiation poisoning. Duck and cover drills, bomb shelters, and evacuation plans became an integral part of every citizen's daily life. This book provides a sampling of civil defense publications issued by government agencies and organizations during this era. Arranged thematically, the book includes sections covering the impact and power of the atomic bomb, radioactive fallout, women and the home, the importance of being prepared, civil defense in schools, fallout shelters, evacuation plans, and, finally, the call for "peace or … else."

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Introduction      Prologue: This Is Civil Defense      PART 1—THE A-BOMB Hiroshima      Atomic Basics      Operation Crossroads      Understanding the Atomic Bomb      Six Survival Secrets for Atomic Attacks      PART 2—RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT From “Initial” to “Lingering” Fallout      Facts About Fallout      Nuclear Fallout      Radioactivity Is Nothing New      Fallout on the Farm      PART 3—WOMEN AND THE HOME The Bomb and the Baby      Women in Civil Defense      At Home!! Are You Prepared      Grandma’s Pantry      Home Defense Corps      Home Defense Can Help You Prepare Now      Medical Aides      PART 4—BE PREPARED Home Defense Pledge      Operation Alert      CONELRAD      If You Have Had No Warning in an A-Bomb Attack      Look to the Sky      Plane Spotters      What to Do If You’re Bombed      Before and During an Atomic Attack      Facts About the H Bomb      Don’t Panic      3 Minutes of Your Time      Common Sense      PART 5—DUCK AND COVER “Atomics” in Education      Atomic Activities      The National Defense Pattern      Prepare for the Worst      School Shelters      PART 6—FIND SHELTER Survival Requirements      Shelter Supplies      Shelter from Fallout      Shelter Preparation      Before Disaster Strikes      Know How to Survive      If an Attack Occurs      PART 7—EVACUATE Highways for Civil Defense      Evacuation Guide      Will to Survive      Value of Shelters      Survival of the Fittest      Evacuation Rules and Routes      4 Wheels to Survival      Don’t Be There      PART 8—PEACE ... OR ELSE It Could Happen Here!      “Atoms for Peace”      Nuclear Test Ban Treaty      Postscript: First Steps Toward Recovery      Save This Book      Bibliography of Civil Defense Publications, 1950–1965      Index     

About the Author :
Independent historian Michael Scheibach has written three books on the early Cold War and edited an anthology of governmental publications related to the atomic bomb and civil defense. He has a doctorate in American studies and taught for several years as an adjunct professor. He lives in Miami, Florida.

Review :
“a very intriguing and insightful volume...a fine addition”—Midwest Book Review.