- 1. The Dead Hand by David Hoffman is a gripping nonfiction exploration of the legacy of the Cold War, focusing on the intricacies of nuclear arms control and the shadowy threats posed by a dangerous and dormant stockpile of nuclear weapons. Hoffman's narrative unravels the complex history of the Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal, detailing how the remnants of this power still hold sway in modern geopolitics. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Hoffman introduces key figures and dramatic events that shaped the nuclear landscape, including the end of the Soviet era, the challenges of disarmament, and the ongoing risks of nuclear proliferation. He presents an urgent examination of how the past continues to influence present-day security issues, revealing the persistent dangers of nuclear warfare. With a blend of historical context and contemporary relevance, The Dead Hand warns of the fragile nature of peace in a world still teetering on the brink of catastrophic conflict.
What does 'The Dead Hand' refer to in the book's title?
A) A secret CIA assassination program
B) A Soviet automated nuclear retaliation system
C) An ancient weapon of mass destruction
D) A metaphor for bureaucratic inefficiency
- 2. Which two countries' nuclear programs are primarily examined in the book?
A) Israel and Iran
B) China and India
C) France and United Kingdom
D) United States and Soviet Union
- 3. What Pulitzer Prize category did 'The Dead Hand' win in 2010?
A) Investigative Reporting
B) History
C) General Nonfiction
D) Biography
- 4. Which Soviet leader features prominently in the book's narrative?
A) Joseph Stalin
B) Vladimir Putin
C) Nikita Khrushchev
D) Mikhail Gorbachev
- 5. What dangerous Soviet biological weapons program is detailed in the book?
A) Biopreparat
B) Manhattan Project
C) Project MKUltra
D) Operation Paperclip
- 6. What was the 'Perimeter' system mentioned in the book?
A) Chinese cyber warfare unit
B) US missile defense shield
C) Soviet doomsday machine
D) British spy network
- 7. What organization was created to deal with Soviet WMDs after the Cold War?
A) United Nations Peacekeepers
B) NATO Expansion Committee
C) International Atomic Energy Agency
D) Cooperative Threat Reduction program
- 8. Which country's nuclear scientists assisted Pakistan's program according to the book?
A) China
B) Germany
C) France
D) United Kingdom
- 9. What was the primary source material for Hoffman's research?
A) Recently declassified documents and interviews
B) Science fiction novels
C) Ancient manuscripts
D) Corporate annual reports
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