In Mortal Hands: A Cautionary History of the Nuclear Age – Stephanie Cooke

In Mortal Hands is the evolving story of nuclear power, as told by industry insider Stephanie Cooke. It reveals the gradual deepening of our understanding of the pros and cons of this controversial energy source. Drawing on her unprecedented access, Cooke shows us how, time and again, the stewards of the nuclear age—the more-is-better military commanders and civilian nuclear boosters—have fallen into the traps of their own hubris and wishful thinking as they tried to manage the unmanageable. Their mistakes are on the verge of being repeated again, which is why this book deserves especially close attention.

From the Manhattan Project to the present energy crisis and what it means for our future, In Mortal Hands is a sweeping chronicle of humanity’s attempts to harness the power of the atom.

$32.97 RRP: $36.99 Save 11% $36.95 RRP: $36.95 Save 0% $32.99 RRP: $36.99 Save 11% Spend $50 for FREE delivery Spend $60 for FREE delivery Spend $65 for FREE delivery

Drawing on unprecedented access to industry insiders and historical documents, Cooke charts the intertwined histories of military and civilian nuclear programs from the Second World War to the present day. She describes the development of the first atom bomb, the decision to bomb Hiroshima and the race to develop nuclear programs during the Cold War. From initial excitement about atomic power’s potential to today’s anxieties about North Korea and Iran, this is a nuclear history of our age.

Along the way, Cooke explores the untold human side of the nuclear story. In frank diaries and letters – many published here for the first time – scientists, policymakers and civilians recorded their private responses to history as it was made. Their eye-witness accounts reveal the mixture of hope and trepidation with which the new technology was greeted.

Today, as Australians debate our role as a major exporter of uranium, and as we consider whether nuclear energy holds the answer to climate change, In Mortal Hands is a timely and thought-provoking contribution. Only once we understand the nuclear industry’s past can we hope to make wise decisions about its future.

Links and Further Reading

• In Mortal Hands Website

Read this book? – Leave a comment or review below.

[email_link]

Related posts:

1. Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Companion – Stephanie Alexander
2. Up the Duff, 2nd Ed: The real guide to pregnancy – Kaz Cooke
3. The Forest of Hands and Teeth – Carrie Ryan