Eugene Burdick
Eugene Burdick was an American political scientist and author, best known for his Cold War-era political thrillers. He co-authored the bestselling novel 'The Ugly American' with William Lederer, which depicted American diplomatic efforts in Southeast Asia and criticized the U.S. government's foreign policy. Burdick also wrote 'Fail-Safe' with Harvey Wheeler, a novel about the accidental launch of a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, which was adapted into a film directed by Sidney Lumet. His works often explored themes of political and social relevance, reflecting the tensions and complexities of the time.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Fail Safe
The book is a Cold War thriller that explores the terrifying possibility of a technical malfunction in the United States' nuclear deterrent system, leading to an accidental path toward a nuclear war with the Soviet Union. As a group of American bombers mistakenly receives an erroneous go-code, they head towards Moscow, fully armed and ready to attack. The President and his advisors must navigate a tense and complex situation, trying to recall the planes and avoid an international catastrophe, while dealing with the political and moral implications of their decisions. The narrative delves into the intricate workings of military protocols and the precarious nature of nuclear command and control systems, highlighting the razor-thin line between safety and global annihilation during the height of nuclear tensions.
The 5389th Greatest Book of All Time
