Member Reviews
I loved this book. Its strongest point is that Visscher looks at both sides of the nuclear power discussion and criticizes the extremes on both. The book tells a great story using clear language and good explanations. The tone is conversational and the book is very readable, with fluid writing. There was even some humor. Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Sigma for the advance reader copy.
This is the story of a non-technical journalist who went from being a staunch supporter of everything Green and a full-on climate change crusader to an over-the-top advocate of nuclear power for the world. The writing is engaging and his nuclear advocacy is so gushing that one can't help but wonder about the accuracy of the book's argument. Regardless of what you believe about climate change, I think that nuclear power is safer than it's usually given credit for, and that it's gained an unfair reputation for a variety of high-visibilty reasons. The book cites sources for some of its data, but I doubt many readers will follow up on those. If we can accept what the book says as reasonably accurate, the case for nuclear power is as overwhelming as it says. So why the stigma? I think the reasons for that are addressed well, but I don't want to spoil the book for any future readers. It's unfortunate that nuclear power plants take so long to bring on-line, as the long lead times create plenty of opportunity for opposition and loss of support. It is heartening to see climate change activists starting to embrace the nuclear option (pun intended), as you just can't have things both ways. Bottom line: if you want to reduce the use of fossils fuels, your portfoliio must include nuclear power.
Very interesting look at nuclear weapons and nuclear power through the history of our world. A true page turner and it feels like you are actually reading a work of thrilling fiction. Definitely check this one out of you are interested in the subject matter or if you like a good history read in general.