The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962, it is a vast window on the Cold War and on the misunderstandings,

misstatements, mistakes that were made by the leaders of several nations, most notably

the Soviet Union and the United States.

And it's a great pleasure to welcome Sergei Plokhi, a professor at Harvard University

and the author of the new book, Nuclear Folly, a history of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

We begin with the drama of dramas.

It is October 16, 1962, approximately 8 a.m. at the White House.

Mick George Bundy, former Harvard Dean, now the National Security Advisor, enters President

John F. Kennedy's bedroom.

Mr. Kennedy, I learned from Professor Plokhi.

He enjoys reading the Sunday papers before he gets out of bed.

Mr. Bundy has very bad information for the President that upsets him.

Professor, a very good evening to you.

Thank you for this.

What does Mick George Bundy tell President Kennedy that morning?

Good evening to you.

Good evening, John.

And thanks, thanks for having me on your show.

It's a real pleasure.

Well, Bundy is bringing the news that are not in the newspapers.

And again, we are in a very different place compared to our today's world.

It's 1962.

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