The Fires of October: The Cuban Missile Crisis and World War III is a unique military study that chronicles the event that was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war. Specifically, it covers the conflict that did not happen - the invasion of Cuba and other planned military actions where the world came perilously close to a nuclear Armageddon.
Using recently declassified materials for the first time, the invasion of Cuba is laid out complete with all of the pitfalls and misinterpretations of intelligence at the time. The US expected heavy casualties in the largest amphibious operation since the Korean Inchon landings.
Moreover, the invasion was based on old intelligence, maps and wilful misconceptions about the size, strength and composition of the Soviet forces on the island. Who would have won? How would the invasion have likely played out?
For the first time ever, these topics are presented in a compelling and engaging format. Thanks to the bravery of two men, President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, the end of the world was narrowly avoided. Or as a Soviet general quoted: 'Nuclear catastrophe was hanging by a thread...and we weren't counting days or hours, but minutes. '
