A few years ago I discovered a book titled Operation Paperclip by Annie Jacobsen. That book chronicled “The Secret Intelligence Program that Brought Nazi Scientists to America.” I learned about this secret operation from researching First Signal in 2018. Jacobsen’s book, however, detailed the complexities and issues surrounding the program that ultimately led to Apollo 11’s manned landing on the Moon in 1969.

When I learned about Jacobsen’s other works (Area 51, The Pentagon’s Brain, Surprise, Kill, Vanish, etc.), I soon found myself engrossed in learning about the subjects she so expertly researched and reported. While there have been countless books and documentaries on these subjects, Jacobsen reports in a clear, understandable, concise, detailed, and unbiased way that compels the reader to turn the page.

Her latest book, Nuclear War: A Scenario, is so moving I finished it in a week. Usually, with books of this nature, I don’t rush the read. They sit on my nightstand, and I read for about an hour before I retire for the evening. But Nuclear War was different. From the moment a United States satellite detects an ICBM launch from North Korea, until the end, this is a book that is hard to put down because you want to know how it ends. Simply, Nuclear War grips the reader from page one and compels you to learn the outcome. Repeating what I posted on social media a couple of weeks ago, “Jacobsen presents a vivid account of what could happen. Let’s pray it never does happen.”

After I finished reading Nuclear War: A Scenario it reminded me of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, when the United States and Soviet Union confronted a real world scenario that nearly resulted in the title of that book coming to life.  Thankfully, that confrontation ended peacefully.

With that crisis taking place during the Kennedy Administration, I paid a visit to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum last weekend. I’ve visited the museum on a handful of occasions. But like so many things, when you learn something new about a subject, you want to explore it a bit more. The museum does a great job at explaining the crisis and how the two great nuclear powers of the day avoided a direct confrontation.

One thing I’ve always liked about this presidential museum is the way it moves its visitors through their visit. It starts with Kennedy’s early days and touches on all the major events throughout his Presidency. What may be of particular interest to first time visitors is learning that the first live televised presidential debate took place in 1960 between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon. Today, we take such televised debates for granted, but back then, they brought the candidates right into living rooms across the country. For those that follow architecture, the museum was designed by the legendary architect I. M. Pei.

On a lighter note, this past week I was quoted in an interesting Wall Street Journal article about validating decisions we make. The subject of which is something I think many of us can relate to!

Finally, while making some updates to my personal website, I realize that the “theme” I’ve had on this blog has been the same for 13 years. Honestly, where does the time go!

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