A major new biography of the fourth U.S. president; from New York Times–bestselling author Lynne CheneyJames Madison was a true genius of the early republic; the leader who did more than any other to create the nation we know today. This majestic new biography tells his story.Outwardly reserved; Madison was the intellectual driving force behind the Constitution. His visionary political philosophy—eloquently presented in the Federalist Papers—was a crucial factor behind the Constitution’s ratification; and his political savvy was of major importance in getting the new government underway. As secretary of state under Thomas Jefferson; he managed the Louisiana Purchase; doubling the size of the United States. As president; Madison led the country in its first war under the Constitution; the War of 1812. Without precedent to guide him; he would demonstrate that a republic could defend its honor and independence while remaining true to its young constitution.
#41890 in Books Schlosser Eric 2014-08-26 2014-08-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.38 x 1.38 x 5.48l; 1.00 #File Name: 0143125788656 pagesCommand and Control Nuclear Weapons the Damascus Accident and the Illusion of Safety
Review
451 of 458 people found the following review helpful. Take it from one who was thereBy NightliteWhen Mr. Schlosser initially contacted me several years ago I was skeptical with respect to what his intentions were. Other stories and articles have been written about the incident at Damascus; AR. To many of us who experienced it on site that night it seemed there was no one who "got it right".To put to rest any concerns I had I contacted Al Childers after learning he had spoken to Mr. Schlosser. I have always had the highest regard for Al and his opinions; hence I participated in the project. After leaving Little Rock AFB we both were transferred to Vandenberg AFB and worked in the same building.I appreciate the integrity of Eric Schlosser who did what any good writer; or investigator; should do. He collected the facts and reported them; how refreshing is that in this era where so many run off and write; or report; half cocked. This entire book was researched in more detail than I ever imagined. Although I was there that night Mr. Schlosser reported things I didn't know simply because I didn't have the right or need.I have read several reviews in which the writers refer to the incident at Searcy; AR as being more serious. I would like to take this opportunity to simply say that while the loss of life is never to be taken lightly; the circumstances between these two accidents were as different as night and day. Sometimes it seems those writing the reviews forget that the Titan II at Searcy was not on alert meaning it had no warhead. The Titan II at Damascus was on full alert and armed. Mr. Schlosser got it right and was not swayed by the loss of life vs. the reason for his book!Several of my fellow airmen who went back on site that night have passed away. I hope we; as a nation; never forget what they did that night while the nation slept; unaware of the risks those men were taking. I hope their families will have an even greater appreciation for what they did to try and save a resource as well as each other's lives. Finally thank you Eric Schlosser for getting it right and Chuck Wilson for the countless hours he spent with me fact checking.D. Green78 of 82 people found the following review helpful. Accidents WILL happenBy EusebiusCommand and Control reads like a techno-thriller. Eric Schlosser takes the most destructive and scary nuclear accident in American history and uses it as a needle to thread a narrative about the sloppiness and inflexibility of America's nuclear weapons program that almost guaranteed that nuclear weapons accidents were fated to occur. That we haven't had a vast; deadly; nuclear weapons incident is due mainly to luck and God - and mostly to God according to some weapons analysts.The scariest incident occurred in 1980 when a Titan II missile exploded in its silo in Damascus; Arkansas (back when Bill Clinton was governor) and blew a live nuclear warhead over 200 yards into a ditch. He tells this story in detail through eyewitness accounts and good research and interrupts the story throughout the book with sections on nuclear weapons history; other incidents; and a superb explanation of American and Soviet nuclear strategies in the Cold War.Schlosser shows how ramshackle the atomic weapons program really was and how and why these weapons were eventually removed from civilian control under the Atomic Energy Commission and turned over to the military (and it's not because the military were more competent). He traces this history back from the 1940s right up to the Obama administration's lukewarm proposal to ban all nuclear weapons.He shows that we have come through some pretty tough stuff in atomic history and we are a little further from the brink - but we should be very afraid when we consider that India; Pakistan; China; and the other members of the nuclear club may have less ability or incentive to try and contain atomic weaponry as we finally learned to do.He doesn't preach or analyze. He is a brilliant reporter and has written a gripping and fascinating story. And it's all true.21 of 21 people found the following review helpful. Literally - a blast from the pastBy James KingAs a former Titan II Missile Facilities Technician; this was a page-turner for me. The author got it right in his descriptions of the attitudes and culture in the missile career field; the systems in use; even the music we listened to back then. It is rare for a military themed book written by a non-military writer to be so spot-on (IMO). The descriptions of some of the close calls we (we citizens) had with H-bombs are chilling; and the story about the Damascus Arkansas Titan II explosion was weaved in perfectly throughout the book. Time well spent.
