Empire and the Bomb
How the U.S. Uses Nuclear Weapons to Dominate the World
The United States is the only country to have dropped the atomic bomb. Since the A-bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, every US president has threatened nuclear war.
This concise history shows how the U.S. has used nuclear weapons to bolster its imperial ambitions. Leading nuclear specialist and peace campaigner Joseph Gerson explains why atomic weapons were first built and used - and how the U.S. uses them today to preserve its global empire. Gerson reveals how and why the U.S. made more than twenty threats of nuclear attack during the Cold War - against Russia, China, Vietnam, and the Middle East. He shows how such theats continued under Presidents Bush and Clinton, and George W. Bush.
The book concludes with an appeal for nuclear weapons abolition and an overview of the history of the anti-nuclear movement. Drawing from a wide range of sources, this fascinating and timely account shows how the U.S. has used nuclear weapons to dominate the world.
This concise history shows how the U.S. has used nuclear weapons to bolster its imperial ambitions. Leading nuclear specialist and peace campaigner Joseph Gerson explains why atomic weapons were first built and used - and how the U.S. uses them today to preserve its global empire. Gerson reveals how and why the U.S. made more than twenty threats of nuclear attack during the Cold War - against Russia, China, Vietnam, and the Middle East. He shows how such theats continued under Presidents Bush and Clinton, and George W. Bush.
The book concludes with an appeal for nuclear weapons abolition and an overview of the history of the anti-nuclear movement. Drawing from a wide range of sources, this fascinating and timely account shows how the U.S. has used nuclear weapons to dominate the world.
Dr. Joseph Gerson has served the American Friends Service committee since 1976 and is currently Director of Programs and Director of the Peace and Economic Security Program for the AFSC in New England. He is the author of Empire and the Bomb (Pluto, 2007).
'Makes many sharp observations and argues persuasively that nuclear war somewhere in the world has become more, not less, likely since 1989' - The Guardian
'US presidents have wielded nuclear weapons, even when they haven't been actually dropping them. With his careful, detailed historical account, he's reminded me that intimidation can be an act of terror, in fact is designed to terrorise' - Cynthia Enloe, author of The Curious Feminist: Searching for Women in a New Age of Empire
'With the rigour and reliability of a scholar, and the heart and political clarity of a lifelong activist, Joseph Gerson has provided a key to understanding - and challenging - US global domination and its nuclear core' - Kate Hudson, Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
'Brilliant. I have not read a more important book in many years. Gerson has uncovered the radioactive vein in our secret foreign policy. Empire and the Bomb describes how United States, to our lasting shame, has repeatedly used its nuclear arsenal to maintain and expand its global power. A terrific book'
- Daniel Ellsberg, former senior Pentagon official and co-author of The Pentagon Papers
1. Deadly Connections: Empire and Nuclear Weapons
2. First Nuclear Terrorism - Hiroshima and Nagasaki
3. Post War Asia – Targeting Korea and China
4. The Cuban Missile Crisis - Prestige, Credibility, & Power.
5. Vietnam: Failures of Nuclear Diplomacy
6. The Middle East: Protecting "The Prize
7. Nukes and the New World Order - What We Say Goes – Part I
8. 'Seven Minutes to Midnight' - What We Say Goes – Part II
9. Abolition or Annihilation
Notes
Bibliography
Index
2. First Nuclear Terrorism - Hiroshima and Nagasaki
3. Post War Asia – Targeting Korea and China
4. The Cuban Missile Crisis - Prestige, Credibility, & Power.
5. Vietnam: Failures of Nuclear Diplomacy
6. The Middle East: Protecting "The Prize
7. Nukes and the New World Order - What We Say Goes – Part I
8. 'Seven Minutes to Midnight' - What We Say Goes – Part II
9. Abolition or Annihilation
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Published by Pluto Press in Mar 2007
Paperback ISBN: 9780745324944
135mm x 215mm