The authors of Fail-Safe seem certain that sooner or later something within the complex human and mechanical systems that manage the Cold War will malfunction, with possibly dire consequences. In reality, the Cold War eventually ended without open warfare, because the Soviet Union collapsed financially. Do you think the authors make a believable case for the inevitability of a serious breakdown, or do you think it is simply a good premise for fiction? Explain your position.

Imagine you are Lieutenant Colonel Grady, flying the lead bomber when you receive the radio call from the President aborting the mission. Presumably, you are aware that your own fighter planes tried and failed to shoot you down, but your orders are to ignore voice commands at this stage of the mission. Does it make better sense in your mind to continue toward the target, or to turn...