The Kremlin's Nuclear Sword: The Rise and Fall of Russia's Strategic Nuclear Forces 1945-2000

The prevailing Western view of Russia’s Cold War strategic nuclear weapons policy is that it resulted from a two-part interplay between the leaders of the Communist Party and the military. Steven J. Zaloga has found that a third contributor—the Russian defense industry—also played a vital role.

Drawing from elusive Russian source material and interviews with many proud Russian and Ukrainian engineers, Zaloga presents a definitive account of Russia’s strategic forces, who built them, and why. The book is the first in English to refer to the weapons by their actual Soviet names, providing the bedrock for future works. Helpful appendices list U.S., NATO, and other designations, and the illustrations provide clear visual references.

• On Alert: An Operational History of the United States Air Force Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Program, 1945-2011 - Atlas, Titan, Minuteman, Peacekeeper MX, Minuteman III, Nuclear Warhead
• Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces (The MIT Press)
• Countdown: A History of Space Flight
• Beyond Horizons: A Half Century of Air Force Space Leadership
• B-52 Stratofortress vs SA-2 "Guideline" SAM: Vietnam 1972–73 (Duel)
• Early US Armor: Armored Cars 1915–40 (New Vanguard)
• Rocket Manual - 1942 onwards: An insight into the development and technology of space rockets and satellite launchers (Owners' Workshop Manual)
• The Complete History of U.S. Cruise Missiles: From Kettering's 1920s' Bug & 1950's Snark to Today's Tomahawk
• Countdown: A History of Space Flight
• Inside the Kremlin's Cold War: From Stalin to Krushchev