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A review by jon_mckenney
The 2020 Commission Report on the North Korean Nuclear Attacks Against the United States by Jeffrey Lewis
5.0
Truly one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read. I put it right up there with World War Z by Max Brooks, both in terms of making me think and making me fear. The Brooks comparison is useful too, as both books are creative in their presentation (one a series of interviews, this one a governmental report (though I imagine more narrative than a proper one would be)).
The fog of war lies heavy over this book, as does the narrowing of choices. It makes me think of that Aunt Lydia line in the testaments, something to the effect of “I made my choices, and they led me to others”. A simplistic, no shit statement, but when you get to see the effects play out in nuclear war that destroys millions of lives, you see how a narrow range of choices is terrifying.
Makes me want to leave Arlington area.
I’m not discussing the plot very much, because the plot is simple enough (misunderstandings and the like lead to nuclear war). But this is a story that will stay with me for a long time.
Only flaw I’ll point out was the trump statement at the end, which felt like a needless dig. I liked the line in the conclusion, that said “the decisions weren’t great, but don’t politicize it, because everyone would make flawed decisions in the fog”. And then this maga shouting nonsense at the end... just didn’t gel for me. I also would’ve liked to see more about the collapse of DPRK
The fog of war lies heavy over this book, as does the narrowing of choices. It makes me think of that Aunt Lydia line in the testaments, something to the effect of “I made my choices, and they led me to others”. A simplistic, no shit statement, but when you get to see the effects play out in nuclear war that destroys millions of lives, you see how a narrow range of choices is terrifying.
Makes me want to leave Arlington area.
I’m not discussing the plot very much, because the plot is simple enough (misunderstandings and the like lead to nuclear war). But this is a story that will stay with me for a long time.
Only flaw I’ll point out was the trump statement at the end, which felt like a needless dig. I liked the line in the conclusion, that said “the decisions weren’t great, but don’t politicize it, because everyone would make flawed decisions in the fog”. And then this maga shouting nonsense at the end... just didn’t gel for me. I also would’ve liked to see more about the collapse of DPRK