The Bomb: A New History

“Younger has provided an insightful guide, especially for the general reader, into today’s array of nuclear powers and their capabilities.”
—James Schlesinger, former Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Energy, former

    Director of Central Intelligence

In The Bomb, Stephen Younger, former Los Alamos weapons designer and author of Endangered Species, provides a new history of the making of nuclear policy and the creation of the most terrible weapons humankind has ever possessed. In an era when rogue nations like North Korean and Iran strive to create their own precarious weapons programs, Younger’s The Bomb provides much-needed background and insight for students, policy makers, and readers who wish to better understand the important issues involving nuclear weapons and national security.

A former nuclear weapons designer and head of nuclear weapons research at Los Alamos, Stephen M. Younger delivers an insightful and urgent inquisition on the role of nuclear weapons in the twenty-first century. Does the United States need a massive atomic arsenal in an era of precision bombs and missile defense? Under what circumstances might we use nuclear weapons? And how does the proliferation of nuclear weapons by North Korea and Iran affect America's nuclear policy? With his deep understanding of the technology and politics of nuclear arms, Younger challenges us to join a new debate on the future of the ultimate weapon.

“The Bomb is a well-written comprehensive summary of the issues involving nuclear weapons that will be a valuable asset to the present debate over their role in U.S. national security policy in the 21st century.” - John Browne, Former Director, Los Alamos National Laboratory

“Younger’s narrative is remarkably simple, but the purpose is serious and the analysis sophisticated.” - John Hamre, President, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Former Deputy Secretary of Defense (Clinton administration)

“Stephen Younger, a former nuclear weapons designer, is uniquely qualified to teach us about the impact of modern technology on the potential for mass killing. [In ENDANGERED SPECIES] he argues that we cannot avoid the shadow side of our nature—the potential to commit acts of unnecessary violence or to take no action while witnessing the victimization of others. Still, Younger finds a way to teach us to hope for peace. A profoundly wise and moving book.” - Jessica Stern, author of Terror in the Name of God

“A tour de force of history, science, philosophy, and politics. ENDANGERED SPECIES is a realistic assessment of the current threat of mass violence.” - Rocky Mountain News

“ENDANGERED SPECIES reflects Stephen Younger’s vast experience as a nuclear weapons designer and deep commitment to seek peace. This is a provocative, challenging, engaging and ultimately important blueprint for the 21st century.” - LEE HAMILTON, Director, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars & Former Chairman, House Committee on International Relations