Two volumes designed to increase awareness of accidental nuclear war dangers are presented. The first of 5 sections in volume I proposes that although accidental war is preventable, the current arms race and secrecy about accidents and false alarms increase the possibility of an accidental war. Section 2 posits that decreased decision-making time also increases the possibility of error. Section 3 deals with information-related accidents such as strategic warning system problems, lengthy command chains, and communication chaos due to electromagnetic pulse. Section 4 gives examples of accidents and illnesses that affect the capabilities of national leaders, problems of weapon handlers, proliferation perils, implications of escalating small wars, and ways in which terrorists could trigger nuclear war. Section 5 focuses on accidents involving new weapons. Section 6 (in volume II) examines both the value of and the dangers of satellite usage. Section 7 discusses the probability of an accidental nuclear war and the final section outlines prevention needs, including increased public awareness, improved hot lines, better crisis control communication between nations, accidental war assessment centers, long term goals for world peace, and action taking. Appendices outline problems of U.S. strategic warning systems, nations technically capable of detonating a nuclear device, the balance of nuclear forces, and possible areas for error in weapon technology. A glossary concludes the document. (LH)