The Twilight of the Bombs

Recent Challenges, New Dangers, and the Prospects for a World Without Nuclear Weapons

By: Richard Rhodes

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

The culminating volume in Richard Rhodes’s monumental and prizewinning history of nuclear weapons, offering the first comprehensive narrative of the challenges faced in a post–Cold War age.

The past twenty years have transformed our relationship with nuclear weapons drastically. With extraordinary depth of knowledge and understanding, Rhodes makes clear how the five original nuclear powers—Russia, Great Britain, France, China, and especially the United States—have struggled with new realities. He shows us how the stage was set for a second tragic war when Iraq secretly destroyed its nuclear infrastructure and reveals the real reasons George W. Bush chose to fight a second war in Iraq. We see how the efforts of U.S. weapons labs laid the groundwork for nuclear consolidation in the former Soviet Union, how and why South Africa secretly built and then destroyed a small nuclear arsenal, and how Jimmy Carter’s private diplomacy prevented another Korean War.

We also see how the present day represents a nuclear turning point and what hope exists for our future. Rhodes assesses the emerging threat of nuclear terrorism and offers advice on how our complicated relationships with North Korea and South Asia should evolve. Finally, he imagines what a post-nuclear world might look like, suggesting what might make it possible.

Powerful and persuasive, The Twilight of the Bombs is an essential work of contemporary history.

Definitive Series ends with warnings but also Hope

I started with his first book, "The Making of the Atomic Bomb", which earned Rhodes a Pulitzer. It's still my favorite, but the entire series comprises a mini-education in history, diplomacy, science, war, politics, human nature, and a touch of philosophy. Rhodes' gift is his ability to tackle very complex topics across multiple domains to tell compelling stories, lucidly, authoritatively, and concisely. His objectivity and clarity are important elements in his writing of history. If you're interested in history, science, nuclear power, poly-sci, WW-II, start with "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" and go through the series. You'll feel like you took a graduate course in several subjects.

If you want an update on the state of affairs in nuclear weapons, terrorism, post-Cold-War politics, Iraq, Iran, N. Korea, the book offers plenty. I particularly value the stories behind the scenes of how dedicated professionals, civil servants, and a former president made the world a safer place, without fanfare. These people deserve to be recognized. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in these topics, but, if you're not, it will bore you...just being honest. Even if you are interested, there's some rough going with an alphabet soup of treaties & organizations. The book is scholarly, after all. While it stands on its own, it's also the culmination of serious work accomplished in his three prior books.

Rhodes has taken tons of raw sensitive data & material from around the world and, like the processes used in nuclear enrichment, he produced highly enriched intellectual material, suitable for a long slow burn or a flash of enlightenment. (sorry :-) I recommend starting with, "The Making of the Atomic Bomb", but if you want to go to the present, you won't be disappointed.

Richard Rhodes has accomplished more than writing good history. He has contributed much needed understanding and opportunities for dialogue. He has also now become part of the story.

An enlightening conclusion to a great series

This is the last volume in a four-book series about the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons. Like the other books by the author, it’s highly entertaining as well as informative and eye-opening.

Another explosive work of journalism by the great Richard Rhodes.

If you’ve never read a Richard Rhodes book, do yourself a favor and pick one up. This book was nowhere near as in-depth as the “making of the atomic bomb” was as that tomb was incredibly comprehensive and dealt with many more people and moving parts. Yet, this book is just as important if not more relevant to our current world position.

“Perhaps everything terrible, is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us”
- Rainer Maria Rilke -

Must read

Again, Richard presents the best work on the history of nuclear affairs.
Thank you Richard. I hope some one or some group will utilize your work and remove all offensive nuclear and thermonuclear weapons. The fuel can be utilized for energy and medical purposes.
Thank you Sir.

Another excellent book by Richard Rhodes

This is the final book in Rhodes' series of 4 books about nuclear arms development, history and policy. I've enjoyed each one - learning new elements of history, people and politics involved in what must be one of the most frightening developments of the 20th century.

Rhodes' research and insight is excellent as always and Robertson Dean's narration is excellent - Clarity, pace and pronunciation are flawless. After listening to a few books narrated by R. Dean I now seek out more, finding his narration superior to many others I've heard.

Highly recommended.