Command and Control

Résumé du livre

Eric Schlosser is an American journalist and author known for his investigative journalism and non-fiction books. Schlosser's work often addresses issues related to food, agriculture, labor, and corporate practices.

The development, deployment, and management of nuclear weapons have been marked by groundbreaking innovation, catastrophic accidents, and escalating global tensions. From the Manhattan Project’s creation of the first atomic bomb to the Cold War arms race, the pursuit of nuclear dominance brought both unparalleled destructive power and profound risks. Incidents like the Damascus silo explosion and numerous B-52 bomber accidents highlighted the dangers of human error and inadequate safety measures, while geopolitical crises such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and Able Archer 83 underscored the fragility of international stability. Efforts to improve safety, including retrofitting weapons and implementing stricter protocols, were often met with resistance, even as the threat of accidental detonations loomed large. Meanwhile, the arms race between the U.S. and Soviet Union intensified, with technological advancements in hydrogen bombs and missile systems fueling fears of annihilation. By the 1980s, the precarious balance of power began to shift, as leaders like Reagan and Gorbachev took steps to reduce nuclear stockpiles, spurred by public awareness and near-disasters. Yet, the global threat persisted, with unresolved tensions in regions like South Asia and ongoing challenges in securing nuclear materials, leaving the world grappling with the enduring legacy of these weapons.

“The history of the twentieth century was dominated by the struggle against totalitarian systems of state power. The twenty-first will no doubt be marked by a struggle to curtail excessive corporate power.”

“The market is a tool, and a useful one. But the worship of this tool is a hollow faith. Far more important than any tool is what you make with it.”

“The executives who run the fast food industry are not bad men. They are businessmen. They will sell free-range, organic, grass-fed hamburgers if you demand it. They will sell whatever sells at a profit.”

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