Daniel Ellsberg
Daniel Ellsberg was an American economist, political activist, and former military analyst who is best known for releasing the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret Pentagon study of U.S. government decision-making in relation to the Vietnam War, to The New York Times and other newspapers in 1971.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Doomsday Machine
Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner
"The Doomsday Machine" provides a chilling exploration of the precarious systems of nuclear command-and-control, which have consistently been more prone to human and technical error than officially recognized. Drawing from the author's experience as a defense analyst and whistleblower, the book reveals how the strategies and policies governing the use of nuclear weapons have endangered humanity by bringing us closer to accidental or intentional global annihilation. Through declassified documents and insider knowledge, it exposes the true extent of the existential risk posed by the nuclear arsenals of superpowers, questioning the rationality and morality of policies that continue to jeopardize human survival.
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2. Secrets
A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers
In this gripping memoir, a former military analyst recounts his pivotal role in one of the most significant whistleblowing events in American history. The narrative delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas faced while working on a top-secret government project during the Vietnam War. As the protagonist uncovers the extent of governmental deception and the devastating impact of prolonged conflict, he makes the courageous decision to leak classified documents to the public. The story unfolds with intense personal reflections and a profound exploration of the balance between loyalty to one's country and the pursuit of truth and justice.
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