Cardinal Choices

This insightful book explores the complicated dynamics between scientific advisors and U.S. presidents, particularly regarding nuclear strategy. Cardinal Choices offers a historical perspective on these relationships.

In Cardinal Choices, readers are taken on a journey through the intricate and often fraught relationships between scientific advisors, particularly physicists, and U.S. presidents regarding nuclear weapons and military strategy. The narrative reveals the ongoing tension that exists between these experts and political leaders, highlighting how scientists strive to shape policy while presidents navigate the delicate balance of accepting or dismissing their counsel. This dynamic creates a complex backdrop for understanding decision-making in a time of great uncertainty and potential danger.

Originally published in 1992, Cardinal Choices has been updated to reflect the experiences of science advisors during the Clinton administration. This revision not only sheds light on the evolution of these relationships over time but also emphasizes the persistent challenges that arise when scientific insight meets political reality. The book illustrates how the interplay of science and politics has shaped critical decisions affecting national security and military strategy.

Additionally, the updated edition includes the texts of eleven significant documents that underscore the historical context of these interactions. From the influential Einstein-Szilard letter to President Roosevelt in 1939 to President Reagan's announcement of the Strategic Defense Initiative in 1983, these appendices provide essential insights into the pivotal moments that defined the relationship between science and governance. Cardinal Choices is an essential read for those interested in the complexities of science, policy, and the delicate balance of power.