The Rest Is History 92. Nuclear Weapons
42 snips
Sep 1, 2021 
Joining the hosts are Taylor Downing, a renowned author and historian focused on the Cold War and nuclear weapons, known for his book "1983: The World on the Brink." They dive into the chilling events of 1983, a year when the world teetered on the edge of nuclear catastrophe. The discussion highlights the fears sparked by NATO's Able Archer exercise and reveals the dangerous misunderstandings of the era. Taylor also explores the psychological aspects of nuclear strategy, emphasizing resilience and the dire need for clear communication in preventing future crises.
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Salisbury's Nuclear Threat
- Tom Holland grew up near Salisbury, a purportedly high-value Soviet nuclear target.
- His teacher claimed Salisbury was third on the Soviet nuclear hit list, after two bombs designated for the North Sea.
Cold War Education
- Dominic Sandbrook recalls a teacher who discussed the looming threat of World War III.
- The teacher, a CND member, attributed the blame to the West.
1983: The Brink of Nuclear War
- November 1983 is argued to be the closest the world came to nuclear war, surpassing the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- Unlike the Cuban Missile Crisis, the 1983 events transpired secretly, unbeknownst to the public.
