State of Doom - by Barry Scott Zellen (Paperback)

About the Book

The book examines Bernard Brodie's strategic and philosophical response to the nuclear age, embedding his work within the classical theories of Carl von Clausewitz.

Book Synopsis

Bernard Brodie (1910-1978) was a leading 20th century theorist and philosopher of war. He was a key architect of American nuclear strategy. This book explores his evolution as a theorist and his response to the technological innovations that transfored warfare.

Review Quotes

"In State of Doom, Zellen has produced the most comprehensive professional biography on Bernard Brodie, one of the foundational architects of American nuclear strategy. What makes this book so unique and fascinating is the author's meticulous research. Zellen brings to light Brodie's entire body of relevant works, dating back to college papers, to illustrate the evolution of his strategic thinking, which is rooted in the classical strategic theories of Carl von Clausewitz. Included are Brodie's advocacy for nuclear deterrence and his philosophical debates and discussions with academics, colleagues, government officials, the military, and his mentors. Then, Zellen smartly takes a significant step further by clearly demonstrating the continued relevance of the strategic views of this great strategic mind in today's geopolitical environment. This is a must read for students and scholars in the field of strategic and securities studies." Dr. David A. Anderson, Professor of Strategic Studies, and Odom Chair of Joint, Interagency, and Multinational Operations, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

"A rich and profound introduction to the evolution and philosophy of modern warfare and nuclear policy. It's a chilling account, but it also reminds us how some great thinkers have worked behind the scenes to keep us from blowing ourselves to kingdom come. Let's hope the wisdom preserved in this document likewise helps our descendants to avoid Armageddon, if only to let them have a deep future in which to heal the environmental damage we'll be leaving them, as well." Curt Stager, Natural Sciences, Paul Smith's College

"Barry Zellen's State of Doom: Bernard Brodie, the Bomb, and the Birth of the Bipolar World represents a groundbreaking and fascinating biography of Bernard Brodie, the 'American Clausewitz.' Brodie's early and original work on nuclear strategy became the foundation for theories of nuclear deterrence that were eventually pursued by both the United States and the Soviet Union and helped the world avoid nuclear holocaust. The lessons that Zellen draws from the life of this original nuclear strategist are profound and worth pondering today relative to our present strategic dilemmas. This is an important book and a must-read for students, scholars, and practitioners of warfare in general and nuclear policy in specific." Thomas H. Johnson, Research Professor and Director, Program for Culture and Conflict Studies. Department of National Security Affairs (NSA/JO), Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, USA

About the Author

Barry Scott Zellen is a senior research scholar at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, USA, where he is Director of the Project on Climate and Conflict and Editor-in-Chief of The Culture and Conflict Review and The Climate and Conflict Review journals. He has published several books, including State of Doom: Bernard Brodie, the Bomb, and the Birth of the Bipolar World (Continuum, 2011).