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Fail-Safe

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Fail-Safe

By: Eugene Burdick, Harvey Wheeler
Narrated by: Kevin Kraft
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About this listen

Something has gone wrong. A group of American bombers armed with nuclear weapons is streaking past the fail-safe point, beyond recall, and no one knows why. Their destination - Moscow.

In a bomb shelter beneath the White House, the calm young president turns to his Russian translator and says, "I think we are ready to talk to Premier Kruschchev." Not far away, in the War Room at the Pentagon, the secretary of defense and his aides watch with growing anxiety as the luminous blips crawl across a huge screen map. High over the Bering Strait in a large Vindicator bomber, a colonel stares in disbelief at the attack code number on his fail-safe box and wonders if it could possibly be a mistake.

First published in 1962, when America was still reeling from the Cuban Missile Crisis, Fail-Safe reflects the apocalyptic attitude that pervaded society during the height of the Cold War, when disaster could have struck at any moment. As more countries develop nuclear capabilities and the potential for new enemies lurks on the horizon, Fail-Safe and its powerful issues continue to be relevant.

©1962 Eugene Burdick and John Harvey Wheeler, Jr (P)2013 Audible, Inc. Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Political Thriller & Suspense Fiction Russia War Military Suspense

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All stars
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The performance of the Russian characters was poor but the story itself was good. Overall a good book though and worth a listen.

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This story is set in the era of cold-war paranoia and suspicion. Like Nevil Shute's 'On The Beach' it has a chilling theme that, through its characters and credible story alludes to the horror and insanity that is represented by the concepts of nuclear 'deterrence' and the threat of mutually assured destruction', and although is set in the early sixties, describes a threat that is sadly all too relevant today. Kevin Kraft gives an excellent reading, capturing fully the characterisation, drama and sentiment of what is ultimately a very poignant message....I strongly recommend this audio-book.

Gripping, flawless and haunting....

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