The Cuban Missile Crisis in American Memory: Myths versus Reality

摘要

The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis is the Iliad of nuclear deterrence, brinkmanship and secret negotiation - and almost certainly the most dangerous moment in human history. The epic confrontation ranged from naval interceptions and depth charging in the Caribbean, to the dangerous skies over Cuba and Eastern Siberia, across the transcontinental archipelagos of long-range bomber bases, missile silos and launch ranges, to the vast geopolitical fault line across Europe, where nuclear-equipped armies and tactical air forces waited to execute inflexible strategic plans.