Fail Safe by Eugene Burdick, Harvey Wheeler

The book is a Cold War thriller that explores the terrifying possibility of a technical malfunction in the United States' nuclear deterrent system, leading to an accidental path toward a nuclear war with the Soviet Union. As a group of American bombers mistakenly receives an erroneous go-code, they head towards Moscow, fully armed and ready to attack. The President and his advisors must navigate a tense and complex situation, trying to recall the planes and avoid an international catastrophe, while dealing with the political and moral implications of their decisions. The narrative delves into the intricate workings of military protocols and the precarious nature of nuclear command and control systems, highlighting the razor-thin line between safety and global annihilation during the height of nuclear tensions.

The 5407th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 75

Since this book was first published in 1962, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 75.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.