The Cuban Missile Crisis

For thirteen days in October 1962, the fate of the world hung by a thread.

American spy planes discovered Soviet nuclear missile bases under construction in Cuba, just ninety miles from the coast of Florida. Within hours, President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev found themselves locked in a confrontation that threatened to become the first full-scale nuclear war in history.

As warships closed in on Cuba, nuclear bombers stood ready for take-off and military commanders prepared for battle, a single mistake could have unleashed a catastrophe unlike anything the world had ever seen. Unknown to the public, secret negotiations, hidden compromises and remarkable acts of courage were taking place behind closed doors and deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean.

Half Hour History: The Cuban Missile Crisis tells the gripping story of the thirteen days that brought humanity closer to destruction than ever before.

Inside you'll discover:

• The Cold War tensions that made conflict almost inevitable

• Fidel Castro's revolution and Cuba's alliance with the Soviet Union

• Khrushchev's daring plan to secretly deploy nuclear missiles

• The discovery that shocked the White House

• The dramatic day-by-day story of the crisis

• The secret negotiations that prevented World War Three

• The forgotten heroes whose decisions may have saved millions of lives

• Myths, surprising facts and newly revealed discoveries

• Why the Cuban Missile Crisis continues to shape international relations today

Fast-paced, engaging and meticulously researched, this book explains one of the most dangerous moments in modern history in a clear and accessible way. Perfect for readers who enjoy military history, Cold War history, political history and true stories of world-changing events.

Discover how thirteen extraordinary days changed history forever-and why their lessons remain just as important today.