The Partnership: Five Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb

The Partnership chronicles five prominent Cold War-era national security veterans who joined forces to advocate for nuclear disarmament. The group includes Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, Sam Nunn, William Perry, and Sidney Drell - former high-level officials and experts who were once strong proponents of nuclear deterrence during their government service. These men's transformation from Cold Warriors to anti-nuclear activists forms the core narrative of Taubman's account. Through interviews and research, the book traces their individual paths to collaboration and their efforts to reduce global nuclear threats in the post-Soviet era. The story follows their campaign to influence policy makers and public opinion, as they work to achieve their goal of eliminating nuclear weapons worldwide. Taubman, a former New York Times journalist, provides context about nuclear politics and policy while documenting this unlikely alliance. At its heart, this is a book about the possibility of radical change in perspective, even among those most deeply embedded in the established order. The five men's evolution raises questions about conventional wisdom regarding nuclear weapons and national security.

Readers found the book offered unique insights into how five Cold War hawks evolved into nuclear disarmament advocates. Many appreciated the detailed personal histories and transformation stories of the key figures. Liked: - Clear explanation of complex nuclear policy - Behind-the-scenes accounts of Cold War decision-making - Focus on both political and personal aspects - Balanced portrayal of the five main subjects Disliked: - Some sections drag with excessive biographical details - Writing style can be dry and academic - Limited coverage of opposing viewpoints - Too much focus on George Shultz compared to others Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (28 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Fascinating look at how these former hawks came to see nuclear weapons as a liability rather than an asset. However, the narrative gets bogged down in places with unnecessary details about their early careers." - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 Author Philip Taubman spent over 30 years as a reporter and editor at The New York Times, including serving as their chief Washington correspondent and deputy editorial page editor. 🔹 The "five cold warriors" featured in the book - George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger, Sam Nunn, and Sidney Drell - collectively spent over 120 years shaping America's nuclear weapons policies before joining forces to advocate for their elimination. 🔹 George Shultz, one of the book's central figures, announced his support for nuclear disarmament on January 4, 2007, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that shocked many of his fellow conservatives. 🔹 The book reveals that during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the U.S. and Soviet Union came much closer to nuclear war than previously known, with a Soviet submarine commander nearly launching a nuclear torpedo. 🔹 Sidney Drell, while advocating for nuclear disarmament in his later years, helped develop some of America's most sophisticated nuclear weapons as a theoretical physicist at Stanford's Linear Accelerator Center.