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What is the United States to do when direct conflict with the Soviet Union promises almost certain annihilation? They turned to proxy wars and psychological warfare with the threat of nuclear weapons keeping both countries in check. Ever wondered how an atom bomb works? We\u2019ll cover it in Episode 3 including the scientific concepts, the arms race and the problem of ensuring complete and absolute control over these weapons.

For more information on the subjects and themes discussed in the episode, see the book \u201cRaven\u2019s Rock\u201d by Garrett Graff. It goes into great detail about the secret plans our government made to ride out a nuclear holocaust.

Eric Schlosser\u2019s \u201cCommand and Control\u201d examines the ways the nuclear arsenal was required to function at 100% \u2014 and what happened the few times it didn\u2019t.

\u201cCommand and Control\u201d was also made into a riveting documentary film.

Finally, Audra Wolfe\u2019s book, \u201cCompeting with the Soviets,\u201d was crucial to our overall understanding of the Cold War.

Listen and subscribe to Wondery's podcast Tides of History.

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