On Thermonuclear War. By Herman Kahn. First Edition, First Printing. Princeton University Press. Princeton, 1960.

Herman Kahn was an American physicist and notable futurist. He was particularly influential in military and government strategy during the Cold War. As a consultant at the RAND Corporation and the Hudson Institute, he advised several presidential administrations about potential plans for nuclear war with Russia. He also gave public lectures on the subject which were highly controversial. Those lectures were adapted to essays in this volume: On Thermonuclear War, Kahn’s most lasting contribution. It is a treatise on military strategy in the event of a nuclear war. Rather than dissuade readers and politicians from mass casualties, Kahn infamously embraced the widespread death and destruction of such events. It remains a highly controversial take on nuclear proliferation and warfare. It was also a major influence on Stanley Kubrick’s film Dr. Strangelove.

This first edition, first printing is in about-fine condition. In the original red cloth, about-fine with only bumping and rubbing to edges. Text block near-fine, only soiling to bottom edge. In the original dust jacket, about-fine with only minor chipping and toning to edges.

An about-fine first edition of On Thermonuclear War.