James A. Mahaffey Boeken

From the moment radiation was discovered in the late nineteenth century, nuclear science has had a rich history of innovative scientific exploration and discovery, coupled with mistakes, accidents, and downright disasters. Mahaffey, a long-time advocate of continued nuclear research and nuclear energy, looks at each incident in turn and analyzes what happened and why, often discovering where scientists went wrong when analyzing past meltdowns.Every incident has lead to new facets in understanding about the mighty atom—and Mahaffey puts forth what the future should be for this final frontier of science that still holds so much promise.

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.

This six-volume set delves into the science, mechanisms, developments, dangers, successes, disasters, and lessons of the nuclear power industry, which will shape society for generations. Initially developed under military secrecy due to its destructive potential, nuclear technology now addresses dwindling energy resources and environmental concerns. The volumes provide a comprehensive history of nuclear power, its future expansion, and its potential role as humanity explores the universe. For over fifty years, nuclear power has served as a cleaner, more efficient energy source, despite the inherent risks highlighted by various global incidents. One volume focuses on significant nuclear accidents, analyzing their causes, long- and short-term impacts, and the lessons learned. It covers notable events such as the meltdowns at Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Chalk River, with a special section on the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Additional topics include fuel-processing facilities, the ghost village of Prypiat, safety concerns, types of nuclear reactors, and radiation sickness. The set features over 40 color photographs, illustrations, sidebars, a chronology, a glossary, resource lists, and an index, making it an essential resource for high school students, educators, and general readers interested in the implications of nuclear technology on the environment.

The latest investigation from acclaimed nuclear engineer and author James Mahaffey unearths forgotten nuclear endeavors throughout history that were sometimes hair-brained, often risky, and always fascinating. Whether you are a scientist or a poet, pro-nuclear energy or staunch opponent, conspiracy theorist or pragmatist, James Mahaffey's books have served to open up the world of nuclear science like never before. With clear explanations of some of the most complex scientific endeavors in history, Mahaffey's new book looks back at the atom's wild, secretive past and then toward its potentially bright future. Mahaffey unearths lost reactors on far flung Pacific islands and trees that were exposed to active fission that changed gender or bloomed in the dead of winter. He explains why we have nuclear submarines but not nuclear aircraft and why cold fusion doesn't exist. And who knew that radiation counting was once a fashionable trend? Though parts of the nuclear history might seem like a fiction mash-up, where cowboys somehow got a hold of a reactor, Mahaffey's vivid prose holds the reader in thrall of the infections energy of scientific curiosity and ingenuity that may one day hold the key to solving our energy crisis or sending us to Mars.