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Atomic Awakening
- A New Look at the History and Future of Nuclear Power
- Narrated by: John McLain
- Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins
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Atomic Awakening
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Publisher's Summary
"Persuasive and based on deep research. Atomic Awakening taught me a great deal." (Nature)
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.
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What listeners say about Atomic Awakening
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Ryan F
- 2022-05-04
First third is tough, but gets better
I’m interested and a big proponent of nuclear power, so when this book showed up in a sale, I snapped it up. Now having listened to it, I’m glad I did.
However, be warned that the first third of the book is difficult to the point where you might want to give it up. The author spends too much time delving into the physics of nuclear science and goes a bit too deep into the history of splitting the atom. Math is hard and following along isn’t easy. Luckily, I’m one of these guys who forces myself to stick with it – if I paid for it, damn it, I’m going to listen to it.
The last two-thirds of the book is more consumable and therefore more enjoyable. The author walks through about four decades of well-researched and well-told events that took place in the nuclear industry (civilian and military). By way of one example, did you know the Americans almost built a nuclear-powered bomber. As in an airplane with a nuclear reactor on it. True fact. Things were crazy back in the fifties and sixties. The risks that were taken are unbelievable by today’s standards. These historical anecdotes are both informative and entertaining and they save the book.
Aside from the first third of the book, the other part that I was disappointed with was the near absence of what lies down the road regarding nuclear technology. The gentleman who wrote the book is a nuclear scientist himself and is clearly very knowledgeable on the subject. He provides a mere dusting of what could lie in store for the planet were we to give nuclear power a real go. Perhaps those details are in his next book? A chapter or two dedicated to future technologies would have strengthened this text.
If you’re into nuclear energy, the bombing of Japan, Three Mile Island or Chernobyl and events like this, you’ll enjoy this historical tale.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Colt John
- 2022-10-25
It sounds like a Discovery channel
This book mostly describes the past discoveries that led us to nuclear power. Very interesting read for somebody that has little knowledge about scientific history.
That being said, I can't believe how childish and STUPID the military is for building so many bombs! Gosh 😮💨
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ed Ho
- 2022-01-10
Great content and stories
I enjoyed the organization and stories in this history of nuclear energy. Factual, yet made interesting with sufficient human and policy context of the technical information. Narration was a little too "announcer" but it settled in eventually.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Adam D Patterson
- 2022-12-09
Decent overview
Good overview though now is a little dated as it came out before Fukushima and the newer developments in nuclear power. Also I found the first two parts overlapped a lot with "Making of the Atomic Bomb" by Richard Rhodes
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- J H
- 2021-11-29
Surprisingly Easy listening for such a complex sub
I really was impressed by how clear the ideas & explanations were for such a complicated subject. I enjoyed the naration but definitely sounds like a robot salesman at first.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Paul J. Lane
- 2022-04-12
A practical guide
A good introduction to the history and evolution of an industry much maligned— I learned a lot
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Branden S.
- 2022-09-08
Not about what is advertised.
As a chemist I was excited to see this book on nuclear future. However after finishing the book I am disappointed to have learned nothing much in terms of the future of nuclear power.
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