Command and Control is a non-fiction book written by Eric Schlosser, an American journalist and author. The book explores the history of nuclear weapons and the accidents, near-misses, and close calls that have occurred over the years. It also examines the people who have controlled these weapons and the processes that have been put in place to prevent their use. The book is a comprehensive look at the dangers of nuclear weapons and the importance of maintaining control over them.
Chapter Summaries of Command and Control by Eric Schlosser
Chapter 1: The Bomb
The first chapter of Command and Control introduces the concept of nuclear weapons and their development. It begins with the discovery of nuclear fission in 1938 and the subsequent race to develop the first atomic bomb. The chapter also explores the decision to use the bomb against Japan during World War II and the aftermath of the bombing.
Chapter 2: The Air Force and the Atomic Bomb
The second chapter focuses on the relationship between the United States Air Force and the development of nuclear weapons. It explores the military’s desire to control the bomb and the tension between the Air Force and the Army over its use. The chapter also looks at the development of the hydrogen bomb and the Air Force’s role in its development.
Chapter 3: The Minuteman and the Missile
The third chapter examines the development of the Minuteman missile and the changes it brought to the nuclear weapons program. It looks at the creation of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and the changes it brought to the nuclear weapons program. The chapter also explores the development of the missile silo and the changes it brought to the way nuclear weapons were stored and deployed.
Chapter 4: The Accidents
The fourth chapter looks at the accidents and near-misses that have occurred in the nuclear weapons program over the years. It explores the accident at the Titan II missile site in Arkansas in 1965 and the accident at the Nuclear Missile Site in North Dakota in 1966. The chapter also looks at the accident at the Palomares missile site in Spain in 1966 and the accident at the Thule Air Base in Greenland in 1968.
Chapter 5: The Human Error
The fifth chapter explores the role of human error in the nuclear weapons program. It looks at the mistakes made by individuals in charge of the weapons and the systems that were put in place to prevent accidents. The chapter also examines the role of alcohol and drug use in the nuclear weapons program and the impact it had on the people who controlled the weapons.
Chapter 6: The Cheating Culture
The sixth chapter looks at the culture of cheating that existed in the nuclear weapons program. It explores the ways in which individuals in charge of the weapons cheated on tests and the impact it had on the safety of the weapons. The chapter also examines the ways in which the military covered up accidents and the impact it had on the public’s trust in the nuclear weapons program.
Chapter 7: The Safety Problem
The seventh chapter examines the safety problems that existed in the nuclear weapons program. It looks at the ways in which the weapons were stored and deployed and the impact it had on their safety. The chapter also examines the ways in which the military tried to cover up safety problems and the impact it had on the public’s trust in the nuclear weapons program.
Chapter 8: The Accident at Warren Air Force Base
The eighth chapter looks at the accident that occurred at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming in 1968. It explores the ways in which the accident occurred and the impact it had on the people who were involved. The chapter also examines the ways in which the military covered up the accident and the impact it had on the public’s trust in the nuclear weapons program.
Chapter 9: The Safety Culture
The ninth chapter examines the safety culture that existed in the nuclear weapons program. It looks at the ways in which the military tried to improve safety and the impact it had on the weapons and the people who controlled them. The chapter also examines the ways in which the military tried to cover up accidents and the impact it had on the public’s trust in the nuclear weapons program.
Chapter 10: The Future
The final chapter of Command and Control looks at the future of nuclear weapons and the importance of maintaining control over them. It explores the ways in which the weapons have evolved over time and the impact it has had on their safety. The chapter also examines the importance of maintaining a safe and secure nuclear weapons program and the impact it has on the world.
Conclusion to Command and Control by Eric Schlosser
Command and Control is a comprehensive look at the dangers of nuclear weapons and the importance of maintaining control over them. The book explores the history of nuclear weapons and the accidents, near-misses, and close calls that have occurred over the years. It also examines the people who have controlled these weapons and the processes that have been put in place to prevent their use. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of nuclear weapons and the importance of maintaining control over them.
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