The Day Khrushchev Panicked Author:George B. Mair To all appearances the thrid week in September, 1960 was an ordinary week. But to the men on the S.S. BALTIKA, plodding across the Atlantic toward New York, it was a moment of time that held the destiny of the world. — Nikita Khrushchev and his top level entourage ostensibly heading for the fifteenth session of the United Nations were, in reality... more », waiting for the signal that would mark the beginning of World War III.
But the Sputnik carrying their fantastic new secret weapon failed to go into orbit and Khrushchev's dream of a world empire became a shattered nightmare.
This is the story behind that fateful moment - a tale so chillingly authentic in details - that no one can deny the terrifying possibility of its truth.