S.I.O.P.; The Secret U.S. Plan for Nuclear War

Pringle, Peter, and Arkin, William

ISBN 10: 0393017982 / ISBN 13: 9780393017984

Published by W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 1983

About this Item

287 pages. Glossary. Acronyms. Notes and Bibliography. Index. , slight soiling to fore-edge, DJ edges slightly soiled and worn. Name in ink inside front cover. Peter Pringle was born in England June 28, 1940. Oxford University (B.A. Hons). Fellow of the Linnean Society of London. For thirty years he was a foreign correspondent for The Sunday Times, The Observer and The Independent, working in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union and the United States. He has also written for several U.S. newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The New Republic and The Nation. Books: He is the author and co-author of several books on science and current affairs including: Insight on the Middle East War; The Nuclear Barons; S.I.O.P.; Chernobyl; Cornered: Big Tobacco at the Bar of Justice. He was a contributor to Crimes of War: What the Public Should Know. This is the first comprehensive look at the plan (Single Integrated Operating Plan, or S.I.O.P.) the United States has had since 1960 to wage nuclear war on Russia. How was it put together? Who decides what targets to hit and why? When and where would it be put into action? Using recently declassified documents and interviews with government officials and military planners, the authors have pieced together an absorbing history of the Pentagon's most secret war plan. "Peter Pringle and William Arkin have written a hair-raising book about an aspect of U.S. war planning that so far has escaped popular attention. If we were to stop everything we are doing and debate the life-and-death issues raised by this book, we would be making the best possible use of out time." -Norman Cousins. First Edition [Stated], First Printing [Stated].

Seller Inventory # 31251

Bibliographic Details

• Title: S.I.O.P.; The Secret U.S. Plan for Nuclear War
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, New York
• Publication Date: 1983
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0393017982
• ISBN 13: 9780393017984
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Cold War
  • Deterrence
  • Nuclear Weapons

About this title

Synopsis

How was it put together? Who decides what targets to hit and why? When and where would it be put into action? Using recently declassified documents and interviews with government officials and military planners, the authors have pieced together an absorbing history of the Pentagon's most secret war plan.They have unraveled the huge, hidden network of satellites, computers, radar, and microwave links that gathers intelligence on the Soviet Union and would help to execute the S.I.O.P. in time of war. They compare Washington's rhetoric to the cold reality of the actual war plans on the shelves at Strategic Air Command and at Navy headquarters, and the result is a fascinating study of military realities and political deception.Finally, they expose a new facet of the arms race in President Reagan's nuclear proposals--the outlay of billions of dollars for new communications systems and underground bunkers so that the United States can fight an extended nuclear war. These proposals, the authors contend, will dangerously erode the traditional civilian control over the firing of nuclear weapons.