Fred M. Kaplan, the esteemed author behind the canonical "The Wizards of Armageddon," returns with "The Bomb," an authoritative and enthralling journey through the corridors of American nuclear policy from the aftermath of World War II to the complex global stage of today. Kaplan, a Pulitzer Prize finalist known for his incisive analysis and rigorous research, delves deep into the annals of history and the secretive chambers of power to reveal how the specter of nuclear conflict has shaped presidential decisions and military strategies across generations. From the tense deliberations in the White House Situation Room to the strategic confines of the Pentagon's "Tank" and the operational depths of Strategic Command, Kaplan draws on unprecedented access to documents and interviews to unveil the harrowing near-misses and the chilling realities of nuclear diplomacy. "The Bomb" paints a vivid portrait of the American presidency under the nuclear shadow, charting a course through the administrations from Truman to Trump. Kaplan's narrative is both a testament to the enduring threat of nuclear war and a compelling chronicle of how leaders have navigated the ultimate geopolitical tightrope. With each page, the reader is drawn into the high-stakes world of international relations, where the decisions of a few have the power to alter the fate of millions. Kaplan's work stands not only as a definitive history of America's engagement with nuclear weapons but also as a sobering reminder of the ongoing challenge to maintain peace in an atomic age. Through meticulous storytelling and a keen understanding of the dynamics at play, "The Bomb" emerges as an essential account of the most pressing existential threat of our time.