Cardinal Choices: Presidential Science Advising from the Atomic Bomb to SDI

Abstract

Part I. Urgent Appeals, 1939-1952: The Advent of Nuclear Weapons: 1. A closely knit group of people: the decision to build the atomic bomb 2. No acceptable alternative: the decision to use the atomic bomb 3. Necessarily an evil thing: the debate over the H-bomb 4. A point of no return: the opportunity for a nuclear 'standstill' Part II. Fragile Hopes, 1953-1960: The Impetus Towards Arms Control: 5. Racing toward catastrophe: atoms for peace and war 6. An age of danger... from the Killian report to Sputnik 7. A vested interest in this field: the President's science advisory committee and the test ban Part III. Guarded Futures, 1961-1988: The Perils and Promises of New Technology: 8. 'Where a fresh start is badly needed: politics and science in the Kennedy administration 9. A nation cannot be built with gadgets: Johnson, Hornig, and the Vietnam war 10. No longer as adviser but as citizen: the crisis of science advising under Nixon and Ford 11. We want you to know of our judgment: science and conflict in the Carter administration 12. The president doesn't care about wavelengths: the Reagan revolution and the origins of SDI Conclusion: speaking the truth to power Appendixes notes Bibliography Index.

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