Overview

Peacekeepers, effective deterrent or potential cause of ultimate disaster? Understanding what nuclear weapons are for has never been more essential. Patricia Shamai traces the history of nuclear weapons from their first use in 1945 when they brought the Second World War to an end, through the Cold War when they gave rise to peace movements and disarmament efforts to the ominous nuclear landscape today. Shamai shows how nuclear weapons have, to date, been a deterrent by raising the stakes of war and thereby reducing the chances of certain kinds of conflict. But, she warns, this is not a permanent situation its continuation depends on the world's reaction to this threat and ongoing vigilance.

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9781529234176

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Reviews

“A rich and thought-provoking read on a subject that 80 years on from the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, remains as relevant as ever.” Nicola Leveringhaus, King’s College London “An accurate history and nuanced analysis of nuclear weapons’ impact on global politics – accessible and insightful for experts and non-experts alike.” Carlotta Minnella, European University Institute “Understanding nuclear weapons is absolutely essential if we are to prevent their future use. This book does an excellent job of bringing clarity to an increasingly difficult problem."" Andrew Futter, University of Leicester “Shamai's exhaustive, balanced, and timely analysis reminds us that the most destructive weapons ever built may still be what keeps peace alive."" Lana Obradovic, University of Nebraska Omaha

“Understanding nuclear weapons is absolutely essential if we are to prevent their future use. This book does an excellent job of bringing clarity to an increasing difficult problem."" Andrew Futter, University of Leicester

Author Information

Patricia Shamai is senior lecturer in international relations at the University of Portsmouth. Her research addresses the norms associated with nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. She has previously worked with the UK Ministry of Defence, NATO specialists and US government experts to support dialogue and collaboration to address deterrence in a twenty-first-century context.

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