Books
The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
Award-winning detailed study of the birth of the atom bomb, with deep insights into the personalities and motivations of the key players
Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb by Richard Rhodes
Definitive detailed history of the development of the h-bomb and the origins of the cold war
Building the H Bomb: A Personal History By Kenneth W Ford
A memoir written by a member of the team that developed the hydrogen bomb
Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces by Pavel Podvig
Comprehensive reference on Russian nuclear weapons
On Thermonuclear War By Herman Kahn
The first extensive treatment of strategic concepts governing use of nuclear weapons
On Limited Nuclear War in the 21st Century by Jeffrey
Larsen and Kerry Kartchner
A study of new strategic issues arising from the proliferation of nuclear weapons among smaller states.
The Evolution of Nuclear Strategy, Third Edition by Lawrence Freedman
The standard work on the history of nuclear strategy
The Doomsday Machine by Daniel Ellsberg
An insider’s revelations of the extreme danger posed by past and present nuclear war plans
Nuclear Statecraft: History and Strategy in America’s
Atomic Age by Francis J. Gavin
A reappraisal of the history of nuclear policy making aimed at guiding current policy.
Eating Grass: The Making of the Pakistani Bomb by Feroz Khan
The history of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program
Nuclear Deterrence in the 21st Century: Lessons from the Cold War for a New Era of Strategic Piracy by Thérèse Delpech
A review of deterrence theory from the cold war to the current era.
Analyzing Strategic Nuclear Policy by Charles L. Glaser
Argues for the reassessment of American nuclear strategy and force requirements
Nuclear Strategy in the Modern Era: Regional Powers and International Conflict by Vipin Narang
Examines the reasoning and deterrence consequences of regional power nuclear strategies
War Stars by Bruce Franklin
An insightful review of the dangerous quest for superweapons