The Gift of Time: The Case for Abolishing Nuclear Weapons Now facts for kids

First edition of the book, published by Henry Holt & Co.

The Gift of Time: The Case for Abolishing Nuclear Weapons Now is a book written by Jonathan Schell in 1998. This book explores the idea of getting rid of all nuclear weapons around the world. It shares ideas from important people who used to work with nuclear weapons policy in the United States, Russia, and Europe. These people later believed that all nuclear weapons should be removed globally.

What the Book is About

This book looks at big questions about nuclear weapons. It talks about how countries use these weapons to try and stop wars, which is called nuclear deterrence. It also discusses how to reduce and remove nuclear weapons, known as disarmament and abolition. The book also covers the idea of "breakout," which is when a country might suddenly decide to build nuclear weapons again after getting rid of them.

Nuclear Deterrence: A Balancing Act

Nuclear deterrence is a way countries try to prevent attacks. It means having nuclear weapons so powerful that no other country would dare to attack you. The idea is that if one country attacks, the other country would use its nuclear weapons in return. This fear of massive destruction is supposed to stop anyone from starting a war.

Disarmament and Abolition: Getting Rid of Weapons

Disarmament means reducing the number of weapons a country has. Abolition goes even further. It means getting rid of all nuclear weapons completely. The book argues that having nuclear weapons is very risky. It suggests that the world would be safer if no country had them.

The Challenge of "Breakout"

Even if all countries agreed to get rid of their nuclear weapons, there's a challenge. This challenge is called "breakout." It means that a country might secretly keep some weapons or quickly build new ones. This could happen if they felt threatened after everyone else had disarmed. The book talks about how to make sure this doesn't happen. It looks at ways to check that countries are truly getting rid of their weapons.

Why This Book Matters

The Gift of Time encourages people to think about a world without nuclear weapons. It suggests that it is possible to live without the threat of these powerful devices. The book helps readers understand the complex issues surrounding nuclear weapons. It also shows why many experts believe they should be abolished.