This book is a history of the complex relations between scientific advisors, primarily physicists, and U.S. presidents in their role as decision makers about nuclear weapons and military strategy. The story, unsurprisingly, is one of considerable tension between the "experts" and the politicians, as scientists seek to influence policy and presidents alternate between accepting their advice and resisting or even ignoring it. First published in 1992, the book has been brought up to date to include the experiences of science advisors to President Clinton. In addition, the texts of eleven crucial documents, from the Einstein-Szilard letter to President Roosevelt (1939) to the announcement of the Strategic Defense Initiative by President Reagan (1983), have been added as appendixes.
- ISBN10 0804737703
- ISBN13 9780804737708
- Publish Date 1 September 2000 (first published 9 April 1992)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 15 June 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Stanford University Press
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 376
- Language English