Weapons of Peace: Secret Story of India's Quest to Be a Nuclear Power

by Raj Chengappa

This book discusses India’s decision to build a nuclear bomb and unravels the history and consequences of that decision, which was made in secrecy. India decided to begin nuclear tests in the late 1960s, and tension grew when Pakistan successfully launched a long range missile called Ghauri in the 1990s. Based on almost 200 interviews with participants, the author focuses on what happened and who knew about which aspects of the project, carrying the story forward to the late 1990s. The phrase “weapons of peace” is used to refer to nuclear weapons, because in India the people see the weapons as important in deterring war and keeping India a free state. The book flows nicely and allows readers who are not scientists to understand India’s nuclear history.

Genres: India, Nonfiction, War

489 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Santosh krishna Venuturupalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb rendering of the Geo-politic need for weapons of mass destruction's , aptly called weapons of peace here by India in her quest to be respected and allowed here measure of peace in development and respite from war mongering from her troublesome western neighbor - Pakistan .

I particularly was impressed with the expatiation and say on the need , requirement , method and trouble we went to achieve the weapons and bring about peace in the sub-continent

I'd definitely recommend the book .

[Aakash Gangwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed about the India's Nuclear Program. Loved reading the book !

[Akshay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting read filled with all the little details of one of India'most secretive and yet one of it's most significant post-independence achievements- the nuclear weapons program. Even though it's a historical account, it reads like a gripping thriller novel and makes a possibily dull topic come to life. Must read for anyone interested in knowing more about the tech evolution of India's armed forces.

[Sukrut Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raj Chengappa has detailed India's Nuclear Ambitions and the Nuclear Ballistic Missile Program journey. In layman's terms, he has mentioned how India overcame technological, economic, political challenges in developing the nuclear and ballistic missile program.

[Sachin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[V.Shanmugam · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in knowing how India's premier R & D institutions came into existence and grown, this is the book for you.

[Nick Black]

Yuck, $40? I'll wait for it to come down...spotted on the wonk's, "The How of Proliferation, Part 2".