Sputnik 1, the Soviet satellite launched into orbit in 1957, galvanised the American space programme and was seen as a grim portent by the US. To counter the threat of these weapons, the US installed nuclear rockets in Italy and Turkey. Khrushchev, in turn, began to move missiles to Cuba, then withdrew in the face of firm challenges from Kennedy. That was the media story. The Other Missiles of October by Philip Nash shows that Khrushchev and Kennedy did a secret deal to draw prestige from the affair, Kennedy as a resolute leader and Khrushchev as a saviour of peace. The rockets in Europe were quietly taken away. Neither side could stomach the thought of appearing simply reasonable. It’s a sorry tale. Published by University of North Carolina, $18.95, ISBN 0807846473.
More from Â鶹´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending Â鶹´«Ã½ articles
1
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
2
Autism may have two distinct subtypes that vary by brain activity
3
Sperm have been made magnetic to allow IVF inside the body
4
The secrets to keeping your brain sharp in old age
5
Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along?
6
Our brains have their first thoughts surprisingly early in life
7
Pigeons lock their eyes in place when they are flying
8
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
9
Particles seen emerging from empty space for first time
10
Autism and ADHD are on the rise due to widening diagnostic criteria
