Everything you think you know is mostly wrong. Nuclear weapons still matter to everyone else, if not the United States. Bracken gives an excellent explanation why. ( )

Bracken offers an accessible argument for the continued relevance of nuclear weapons to 21st Century international relations and warns against the dangers of complacency. This is not some Dr. Strangelove celebration of nuclear weapons, but rather a frank acknowledgement that state around the world continue to see nuclear weapons as useful. Therefore, nuclear weapons continue to shape international relations, the behavior of states and perceptions of power.

Again, arguing for the importance of studying the role that these weapons play in current foreign relations does not mean that one thinks that they are desirable. It is just a realist recognition of the fact that nuclear weapons are having this effect. It could actually be dangerous for the United States to continue to behave as if they are a relic of the Cold War (the first nuclear age) because it would leave American leaders unprepared for the inevitable crises of the second nuclear age.

Bracken writes for a general audience in a clear, at times casual, manner. He repeatedly mentions his personal experience engaging in studies and exercises regarding nuclear policy during the Cold War, which might provide some added interest for young people interested in the field of defense policy analysis. ( )

It was difficult getting into this book. Perhaps not being familiar with game theory was a factor. The author seemed to nitpick about when the second nuclear age began. Did it overlap with the cold war or was it a separate event. What made me a little suspicious was a fairly obvious mistake in the middle of the book. It was stated that the Israelis had sunk the USS Liberty. While this book is OK, providing some interesting tidbits, it struggled to hold my attention. ( )

A sobering and eye-opening book. The description of the Middle East crisis game eerily presages and parallels the recent rocket exchanges between Gaza and Israel. It is disturbing that the US is repeating its errors in avoiding considering scenarios of situations contrary to current policy.

It is all well and good to advocate and work towards preventing Iran, North Korea, and other players from acquiring nuclear arms. It is myopic and dangerous to fail to plan for the possibility and eventuality that one or more of them will. The pace with which the crisis game nearly spun out of control may be replicated in real life if US policy makers continue to dig their heels in against even discussing possibilities of less than desirable outcomes.

if you're looking for a book to cheer you up during the holiday season, this probably isn't it. The Second Nuclear Age is a somber assessment of the current state of nuclear affairs in the world. The past duels between cold war superpowers will be replaced in some cases by "truels," three-player conflicts where the weakest player can leverage a nuclear threat to achieve objectives. There are chapters on the Middle East and Southeast Asia; Mr. Bracken officially takes no position on the benefit of a preemptive strike to destroy a potential Iranian nuclear capability but discusses 'thinking about the unthinkable' at some length. As more states and organizations get the bomb there needs to be more scenario planning to manage this new reality.

Give a different book for the holidays, but read this one anyway. Today's tensions can best be addressd by understanding our cold war nuclear history and applying the right lessons during the first crisis, whenever and wherever that occurs, in the second nuclear age. ( )