Annie Jacobsen’s Nuclear War: A Scenario delivers a gripping, minute-by-minute account of what could happen if a nuclear missile were launched toward the United States. Drawing on declassified documents and interviews with military and intelligence insiders, Jacobsen traces the decision chain from detection to catastrophe. She examines how command systems, human judgment, and technical safeguards interact under extreme time pressure. The result is both investigative journalism and a chilling thought experiment that reveals how close humanity remains to annihilation. Through meticulous research and cinematic urgency, Jacobsen exposes the fragile balance of deterrence and the devastating consequences of failure.
"[Annie Jacobsen] got it right. That is exactly what would happen. It's not long. It's an easy read. She's a great writer."