«How we got along before the bomb». Atomic apocalypse between politics and science fi ction at the dawn of the Cold War

Journal title VENTUNESIMO SECOLO
Author/s Giovanni Bernardini
Publishing Year 2023 Issue 2023/52 Language Italian
Pages 23 P. 196-218 File size 103 KB
DOI 10.3280/XXI2023-052009
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This paper illustrates how Anglophone science fiction literature of the second part of the Twentieth century contributed to influence the public debate regarding the absolute risk of an upcoming atomic apocalypse and the need to prevent it at all costs. In this way, it often came into conflict with the rhetorical strategies of US administrations, committed to normalize the presence of nuclear weapons and reducing their potential risks. The article provides some particularly significant examples of this conflict, reflecting on their outcomes.

Keywords: Cold War; nuclear apocalypse; science fiction; civil defense; American administration.

Giovanni Bernardini, «How we got along before the bomb». L’apocalisse atomica tra politica e fantascienza agli albori della Guerra fredda in "VENTUNESIMO SECOLO" 52/2023, pp 196-218, DOI: 10.3280/XXI2023-052009