"Expansion of the Sanford Lectures delivered ... at Duke University in October 1986"--Title page verso. "Expansion of the Sanford Lectures delivered ... at Duke University in October 1986"--Verso t.p. Includes index.

The risk of war -- The first half century of the nuclear age : evolution of U.S. and Soviet nuclear forces and strategy, 1940-1990 -- Nuclear myths : misconceptions that endanger our security -- The next half century : alternative ways of reducing the risk of nuclear war, 1990-2040 -- Geneva : a step toward our long-term goal -- Turning away from nuclear disaster -- Appendix I : U.S. and Soviet strategic warheads -- Appendix II : the technology race -- Appendix III : U.S. and Soviet nuclear arsenals in 1985 -- Appendix IV : growth of U.S. and Soviet strategic nuclear missile and bomber forces, 1945-1990 -- Appendix V : the star wars defense system: a technical note -- glossary.