Trinity's child

Trinity's Child is a 1983 novel by William Prochnau. The book depicts a nuclear war waged between the United States of America and the Soviet Union.[1] During the waning years of the Cold War, the United States has engaged in a massive military buildup, hoping to press the economy of the Soviet Union to breaking point and so force them into political compromise. The break with real history comes here.

In the book's scenario, moderate elements who recognize the Soviet Union was in bad need of reform and who were in favor of peace with the West, did not emerge as in the real history. Instead, hardline elements pressure the Soviet Premier into launching an attack on the US before it has the chance to squeeze the Soviets any more. The attack goes forward, and all the consequences of the doomsday scenario are laid bare, with conflicting claimants to the US Presidency as the line of succession breaks apart, devastation on the ground, and military staff having to choose between a treason which might save what's left of their country, and a duty which might lead to the extinction of the human race itself. The novel covers fifteen hours in which critical decisions are made.