At the Abyss: An Insider's History of the Cold War

This fascinating book is a must read for those who have "been there" during the Cold War and also for those for whom it is just a part of history. I found the book compelling and exciting, although I wouldn't characterize it as a comprehensive history as much as a memoir of one who viewed the struggle between the U.S. and the Soviet Union from several significant perspectives. Three salient points came to mind as I read this book. First, the Cold War was as real a struggle as any of the "hotter" wars in our history. In the early 1970's, I served as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer in SAC. I remember looking across the flightline during the 1973 Yom Kippur War at over 120 hydrogen bombs and warheads being loaded for real when we went to DEFCON 3. My life was dictated by Green Dot Alerts, DEFCONS and Alert Postures, with the knowledge that we were only 30 minutes from nuclear anhiliation. I also remember the professionalism of those in SAC who held the "nuclear keys" and respected them for the responsibilities they had and the awesome decisions they may be called to make. Mr. Reed's portrayal of both sides' desire to avoid the ultimate conflict is comforting, even in hindsight. The second point I derived from the book is that the Cold War was finally won by our economic might. Interactions between nations have always been governed by economics, all the way back to our Revolutionary War, when the French sided with us in order to benefit from potential trade, and the Dutch bankers helped bankroll the War through loans to the Colonies. Mr. Reed's insights to the total lack of understanding the Soviets had regarding, cost, profit, and the law of supply and demand are particularly enlightening. The final point I found somewhat disquieting. Mr. Reed's discussion describing the amount of weapons grade uranium and plutonium sitting in the former Soviet Union, coupled with the desires of some nations and terrorist groups who are considerably less rational than the Soviet government and military was makes me wonder how long it will be before the next atmospheric "test" occurs over an American or European population center. Responding to this challenge is as important today as America's response to the Soviet Union was over fifty years ago. I invite you to read this book and find out for yourself. I think you will find it fascinating.

Thomas C. Reed's book, At the Abyss, confirmed many of my suspicions and presents a plethora of substantiating data for my beliefs. The tidbits on titanium shovels, oil system computer chips, and specific individuals were most revealing.Of greatest importance was the dedication, resolve, and professionalism of the members of the Soviet Strategic Rocket Force and America's nuclear forces that brings an overwhelming calming to those who placed our fates in their hands.The purpose of At The Abyss was to give our generation a sense of closure, since there was no parade - Strategic Air Command just disappeared without fanfare.This book is written in bite-sized chapters that permit short-term assimilation, and long term rumination and retention capabilities. Mr. Reed's perspective and authoritative position make this work worth reading for any student of the Cold War. It was a distinct pleasure and honor to read this discourse on such an important subject.Alwyn T. LloydAuthor of A COLD WAR LEGACY - A Tribute to Strategic Air Command 1946-1992

Tom Reed's book brought back the memories of those days in SAC when any one of a number of conditions could have unleashed the horror of multiple nuclear explosions. Fortunately, the wisdom and maturity of the right people at the right time evaded those conditons. And the discipline of SAC crewmembers and leaders was vital to the success of the standoff. Reed also focuses on the bravery of those few who had to risk their lives to gather intelligence prior to satellite reconnaissance development. All in all, a real eye-opener on what went on inside the halls of power.

Reed writes this insider's history of the Cold War in the prose of a fine novelist. This is a difficult book to put down. It is about powerful people and their interactions within the framework of government at its highest level. Politics and poker! Bureaucracy and those who knew how to cut through it. A calculating and manipulating president's wife. Americans and Soviets exercising superb judgment at critical moments, moments that could have made for a different life on this planet had those judgments not been correct. Five stars from me.

The stakes couldn't have been higher -- and we won. This breathless, behind-the-scenes account shows exactly how that happened. Tom Clancy meets real-life.