The first full account of how the Cold War arms race finally came to a close, this narrative history sheds light on the people who struggled to end this era of massive overkill, and examines the legacy of the nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons that remain a threat today. Drawing on memoirs, interviews in both Russia and the US, and classified documents from inside the Kremlin, David E. Hoffman examines the inner motives and secret decisions of each side and details the deadly stockpiles that remained unsecured as the Soviet Union collapsed. This is the story of how Reagan, Gorbachev, and a previously unheralded collection of scientists, soldiers, diplomats, and spies changed the course of history--From publisher's description.

Originally published: New York : Doubleday, Ã2009. CSAF Originally published: New York : Doubleday, c2009.

At the precipice -- War games -- War scare -- The germ nightmare -- The anthrax factory -- The dead hand -- Morning again in America -- "We can't go on living like this" -- Year of the spy -- Of swords and shields -- The road to Reykjavik -- Farewell to arms -- Germs, gas and secrets -- The lost year -- The greatest breakthrough -- The year of living dangerously -- A great unraveling -- The scientists -- Revelations -- Yeltsin's promise -- Project sapphire -- Face to face with evil -- Epilogue.