Windscale 1957: Anatomy of a Nuclear Accident

by L. Arnold

Overview

In 1957 one of the two reactors built at Windscale was destroyed by fire, in the world's first major nuclear accident. This book describes the fire and what followed, and considers its causes, effects and political importance. It throws a revealing new light on an important event of fifty years ago and on questions of secrecy and responsibility.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780230573178
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	09/12/2007
Edition description:	3rd ed. 2007
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.02(d)

About the Author

LORNA ARNOLD OBE is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and Fellow of the Institute of Contemporary British History, UK. She is author of Britain and the H-Bomb (2001) and Britain, Australia and the Bomb: The Nuclear Tests and their Aftermath.

Table of Contents

Foreword; P.Hennessy & B.Cathcart Britain's Atomic Bomb Windscale's Origins After Hurricane The Ninth Anneal Damage Assessment and Damage Control The Penney Inquiry and the First White Paper Three More White Papers Causes: an Accident Waiting to Happen Appraisals and Reappraisals Postscript

Editorial Reviews

'Nobody is better placed than the incomparable Lorna Arnold to relive and to tell this timely story. She does it magnificently.' Peter Hennessey, Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History, Queen Mary, University of London, UK

'[Lorna Arnold] embodies all that is best in official history It is her fairness and humanity that have enabled her to reveal so much.' Brian Cathcart, Professor of Journalism, Kingston University, London, UK

'...exemplary.' - The Guardian

'...fascinating and rather disconcerting reading.' - Safe Energy

'...Arnold asks whether any of this matters any more. It does, and her excellent book shows why.' - The Independent

'...pithy, authoritative and incisive account'. - Nature

'...an excellent book...written in a clear and expert style.' - Nuclear Engineer

'Not only are the technical details of the accident fully described, but the all important political context is sharply observed...This is how technical history should be researched and written and I cannot recommend this book too highly.' - Richard Wakeford, Journal of Radiological Protection

From the Publisher