I always thought that I had a good knowledge of history, but the more I read, the more I find gaps in my knowledge! I know next to nothing about the atomic testing of the 1950s and this book has given me a real understanding of what happened during America's nuclear tests, and the devastation caused to the Marshall Islands.
It was surprising to me just how widespread the tests were & how there was little planning for the aftereffects of the tests on both human life and the plant/animal life of the area. The way that the US government treated the displaced/injured people at this time & in the subsequent years is something I was not at all familiar with.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator suited the story. As I was listening I often found myself searching for more information about what was happening – from exactly where the well-known Bikini Atoll is, to understanding more about the lesser known Enewetak & Kwajalein atolls. It was definitely a book to educate rather than entertain!
Overall this is a well-researched and very informative book about the nuclear bomb testing in the Marshall Islands, and the effects these tests had in the subsequent years. It compares the price/extent of this clean up to the Chernobyl disaster.

History is an interesting subject to read about because there is so much that can be hidden and overlooked because of whatever reason that the people writing down the history decided upon. Walter Pincus lays out just what happened during America's nuclear tests and all the people that is was decided were acceptable to be harmed or even lost.
Even more than just the number and scope of the nuclear tests that were undertaken that was surprising - it was the lack of knowledge of the aftereffects of the tests, whether its was the illnesses, the effect on plant and animal life or even just how far it could potentially spread that was shocking to read.
The number of people that were hurt by the United States government during this period of time is heart-breaking and the lengths that the government went to hide or discredit what happened is sickening.

This book was really good and very informative about America's first nuclear bomb testing in the Marshal Islands. You could tell this book was very well researched and contains plenty of shocking facts. It looks at how they didn't fully understand the power and how wide an area the bombs were going to affect nor fully understand the impacts of the nuclear fall out or even plan for the cost of the actual clean up. It compares the price of this clean up to the one at chenobyl disaster.
I listened to the audiobook and could see why the publishers picked the narrator as he had a very military air to his voice. However,  this did mean it was slightly dry and to the point. This lead to me struggling a little to warm to him. This was the only reason it lost a star. The facts and the way this book was written was just amazing. I really did feel like I had learnt a lot and now have a far better understanding of the use and affects of nuclear warfare. I am so glad I found this book as I love learning about controversial subjects especially history and military history from Different and this book was perfect for this. I really do recommend this book for that reason.
Many thanks to the author and publishers for producing this spectacular and shocking military history book. I have left the above review under ladyreading365 26/11/21 on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo and amazon UK. Also on my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/blown-to-hell-by-walter-pincus-tantor-audio-4-stars