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“Persuasive and based on deep research. Atomic Awakening taught me a great deal."—Nature
The American public's introduction to nuclear technology was manifested in destruction and death. With Hiroshima and the Cold War still ringing in our ears, our perception of all things nuclear is seen through the lens of weapons development. Nuclear power is full of mind-bending theories, deep secrets, and the misdirection of public consciousness, some deliberate, some accidental. The result of this fixation on bombs and fallout is that the development of a non-polluting, renewable energy source stands frozen in time.
Outlining nuclear energy's discovery and applications throughout history, Mahaffey's brilliant and accessible book is essential to understanding the astounding phenomenon of nuclear power in an age where renewable energy and climate change have become the defining concerns of the twenty-first century.
Anonymous
Posted July 18, 2012
Very interesting series of stories covering weapons development and early reactor design. Less material on modern design efforts and safety features than I hoped for.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 20, 2010
Atomic Awakening
I learned that nuclear powerplants are way safer than I thought possible. I enjoyed the auther, James Mahaffey's easy-flow writing style. Perhaps my background as a high school physics teacher infuenced my interest in this book, but I also loved the parts where he tied in Google Earth images to places he described in his book. Beware the Lat/Long in footnote No. 234 Page 332 has the first two numbers of the latitude reversed for the location of the "Lethal Fence" north of Atlanta, Georgia. You really can see the outline 60 years later in the forest! - from Goodreads.com
READ-N-WEEP
Posted July 17, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Anyone interested in the energy crisis -- our increasing need for energy vs dependence on foreign oil and environmental concerns -- should read this book. I learned that most of what I thought I knew about nuclear power is based on a lack of understanding of the facts, or even a lack of exposure to them. This is a brilliant summary of a complex topic. Any intelligent reader can follow this fascinating history and the author's conclusions. Whether you agree or disagree, you will learn a great deal.
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Posted March 13, 2011
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Anonymous
Posted January 13, 2010
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Overview
“Persuasive and based on deep research. Atomic Awakening taught me a great deal."—Nature
The American public's introduction to nuclear technology was manifested in destruction and death. With Hiroshima and the Cold War still ringing in our ears, our perception of all things nuclear is seen through the lens of weapons development. Nuclear power is full of mind-bending theories, deep secrets, and the misdirection of public consciousness, some deliberate, some accidental. The ...