Fallout
Recommended Ages: 10-14
Fallout is his latest non-fiction novel that reads like a narrative.
There is profanity, so please look through the review below.
Sheinkin has done it again with another thrilling novel of historical intrigue. Fallout is his latest non-fiction novel that reads like a narrative. The context of Fallout is the Cold War and spans from 1948 to 1963. The story is divided into three sections and begins with a spread of who the “key players” are for that portion. Aside from the pictures of the many people of whom this story is told, are additional photos weaved throughout of particular people, locations, or items. The book is structured beautifully to hold the interest of the readers and to bring history to life. I certainly learned a lot and never realized how close to all out nuclear war we truly were. Kennedy’s resistance to immediate, impulsive reactions in addition to other people willing to use caution is what ultimately saved millions annihilation.
This book offers a plethora of opportunities for critical thinking and conversations, whether it is read for pleasure or as a companion piece to your curriculum. Sheinkin does a great job of providing a lot of background and context that can allow your reader to think about the implications of what is happening and the decisions to be made. Would they have acted the same? How does it align or compare with other situations in history? Where do they see pride and courage within the characters? All great topics for discussion.
There are so many awesome features of this book and stories that are told in conjunction with the meta-narrative between John Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev. It is impossible to give the full scope of those stories, but they involve scientists, the space race, Russian Spies, American U2 Pilots, Cuba, and the formation of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent people like Harry Siedel who helped people escape East Berlin. While there is so much jammed into these 342 pages, the reader is not left feeling confused nor information left incomplete. Sheinkin masterfully weaves it all together.
A few key lines from the text:
Spoken of by Andrei Sakharov, “We, the inventors, scientists, engineers, and craftsmen, had created a terrible weapon, the most terrible weapon in human history,” he would recall realizing at this moment. “But its use would like be entirely outside our control.” (p.45)
“War in this day and age means no Paris and no France, all in the space of an hour,” Khrushchev warned. (p.204-205)
“At the end, we lucked out,” McNamara said of the world’s narrow escape in 1962. “It was luck that prevented nuclear war.” (p.303)
“My big takeaway is that these guys were smart —and they nearly blew up the planet. We can be smarter. From now on, no matter what type of threat we’re facing, let’s not depend on luck.” (p.303)
Cautionary items: There are a few lines where profanity is used, but it is within the context of what was spoken by the people at the time.
“They do not see with their eyes but with their asses – all they can see is what’s behind them.” [Nikita Khrushchev] (p.53)
On page 63, there is talk of pilots carrying an “L pill”. The L stood for lethal and would allow the pilots to kill themselves before capture. There is a pilot who is shot down in Russia who has the ability to kill himself with the pin prick of a poison given to him, but he chooses not to and is captured.
“Berlin is the testicles of the West,” Khrushchev was fond of saying. “Every time I want to make the West scream, I squeeze on Berlin.” (p.154)
“War in this day and age
“F***ed again,” John Kennedy said to his brother when he heard the news. Hadn’t Khrushchev promised Vienna that the Soviets would not be the first to restart nuclear testing.” (p.175) *This is exactly as the quote appears in the text.
“It’s been a long time since you could spank us like a little boy- now we can swat your ass.” [Nikita Khrushchev] (p.205)
“Oh sh**! Sh**! Sh**! he chanted, slamming fits and palm together. “Those sons a **** Russians!” [Bobby Kennedy] (p.219) *This is exactly as the quote appears in the text.
“Son of a *****!” Castro roared. “Bastard! ***hole!” (p.284) *This is exactly as the quote appears in the text.
