Abyss: World on the Brink, the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962

The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis was the most perilous event in history, when the United States and Soviet Union faced a nuclear collision. Max Hastings' new history tells the story from the viewpoints of national leaders, Russian officers, Cuban peasants, American pilots, and British disarmers, and reveals that the rape of Ukraine gives the narrative a twenty-first-century immediacy. It is critical to understand how the world survived its last glimpse into the abyss to contend with todays threat.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 576 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis was a pivotal moment in history, marking the closest encounter between the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to a tense standoff that threatened global annihilation. In his captivating new book, acclaimed historian Max Hastings delves into the events of this crisis from various perspectives, including those of national leaders, Russian officers, Cuban peasants, American pilots, and British disarmers. Through a blend of eye-witness interviews, archival documents, diaries, White House tape recordings, and top-down analysis, Hastings paints vivid word-portraits of the Cold War experiences of Fidel Castro's Cuba, Nikita Khrushchev's Russia, and John F. Kennedy's America.

However, what makes this narrative even more relevant in the twenty-first century is the chilling connection Hastings draws between the crisis and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He argues that we may be witnessing the onset of a new Cold War between nuclear-armed superpowers, a threat that demands our utmost attention and urgency.

In this book, Hastings explores the critical lessons learned from the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and applies them to the current global situation. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the dangers posed by nuclear weapons and the need for leaders to take bold and decisive action to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. He also highlights the role of diplomacy, communication, and negotiation in resolving conflicts and building trust between nations.

Hastings' book is a timely and essential read for anyone interested in global politics, history, and the potential for peace and security in a world teeming with geopolitical tensions. It serves as a reminder of the fragility of our world and the urgent need for leaders to prioritize the well-being and survival of humanity.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008365035