Command and Control

How a lost tool almost triggered off a nuclear weapon. Eric Schlosser´s book demonstrates how dangerous atomic weapons are – for those prducing and maintaining them. While carrying out routine maintenance the expert lost his tool. It fell – 20 metres deep into the silo holding the atomic bomb. By doing so the tool went kinetic and damaged the bomb´s coating. With a deadly chain reaction. Igniting fire. Gas. Toxics. Almost triggering off the bomb in the midth of later president Clinton´s home Arkansas. Probably it was this catastrophe making him president of the USA. Eric Schlosser´s book „Command and Control“ has been turned into a breath taking documentary. The author spoke with witnesses of what happened. In addition the author lists up so called „broken arrow“- incidents with planes llosing atomic bombs. The Arkansas-catastrophe is one example of hundreds of almost nuclear explosions, caused by lightning, surge, leakage current and short circuit. Insulation conducted electricity; what was declared as impossible befor, occurred. His compendium of 632 pages is reminding of the history of the Cold war and how the atomic bomb was researched and developed. The book remembers Russian officer Stanislav Petrov, who decided that alleged approaching US missiles had to be an error and for this reason opted not to start world war 3. Faulty computer not only exist in the Hollywwod movie „Wargames“ but unfortunately in reality as well. Nuclear shelter and center of command Norad rated an exercise as real Russian aggression until realizing the mistake. Schlosser succeeded in digging up historic reports of accidents. Jane Cavolina, Stephanie Simon, Jessica Bufford and Aaron Labaree researched an extensive bibliography, including former secret documents released under FOIA request.