Books: Arguments Against MADness

THE ABOLITION by Jonathan Schell; Knopf; 173 pages; $11.95

WEAPONS AND HOPE by Freeman Dyson; Harper & Row; 334 pages; $17.95

There are now approximately 50,000 nuclear weapons. They have brought the world to a state of critical mass: the detonation of one bomb or warhead could touch off a chain reaction leading to the extinction of the human race. For a fact of life—the existence of those weapons—to be so bound up with the possibility of the death of the planet is an affront to reason and conscience alike.

Some of the best minds of...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!