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Thoughtful, accessible and challenging of preconceptions.

Customer Rating:
Did you know that smokers get more radiation from cigarettes than workers maintaining nuclear power plants? This book is full of interesting information.

I had a lot of flat wrong ideas about nuclear power: That is is dangerous, that the storage and transport of spent fuel is dangerous, and that radiation no matter how small an amount causes cancer. Sure I will admit being ignorant about it, and this book has definitely sparked my interest in learning more. It is full of facts and information that can help you uncloak ignorance and propaganda.

A clean fuel, that doesn't pollute the air, and is plentiful? Sure enough, we already have it. Nuclear power is the bridge we need to get past burning dirty coal (responsible for more radioactive emissions than nuclear reactors incidentally) while we figure out the economics and logistics of available renewable resources.

It is written in a very conversational style, almost Socratic--and as a result isn't totally unbiased. But it is very convincing, and the wealth of facts speak for them self. Well worth a read if you are interested in the energy debate.

Since gas prices have started to decline (along with the rest of our economy,) I know many people have shifted their focus to banking and corporate criminals, but the energy debate will continue to be relevant for a long time to come. This book is a great introduction to one of our alternatives.

Fine Exploration of the subject

Customer Rating:
Ms Cravens doesn't miss very much in her discussion of nuclear power in the modern world. She weaves in the alternatives including the major energy source of power, coal, so one is able to make infomed intelligent decisions as to our future.

This should be a must read for who are interested in the future of how we power our civilization.

Amazing Book

Customer Rating:
Excellent book, well researched and does a very good job of showing both sides. After reading some of the "anti" nuclear books you can tell that the science and research behind this book are head and shoulders above.

I would really love if this book was required reading for all our politicians and even high school students. We need the facts before we can make rational decisions. This book gives you the facts. After reading it you'll be left with one inescapable conclusion, nuclear power is the single best choice for power production in the world today.

Nuclear is the answer! Better than I expected, a bit rambling at times

Customer Rating:
Before reading this book I was convinced that the only way out of our continuing reliance on foreign energy supplies was nuclear but I wasn't sure that it could be produced safely. Now, I am.

Cravens gained a lot of credibility with me by explaining the extent of her stance on environmental issues and the lengths she went to prove her points based on real scientific rigor from experts in the field. I give the book 5 stars because I think that nuclear is our only hope for the near term for "base load" electrical power while renewables and conservation need to be pushed as well. I would have given it 4 stars for her main source of the book being Dr. Richard "Rip" Anderson. Being a fellow Albuquerquian and working near SNL I have an understanding and respect for Rip but I felt that Cravens could have gone further and found other just as credible sources.

One of my courses in college was called Atomic America. It went into the "kitsch" of nuclear power in popular culture from its heyday following Trinity and the bombing of Japan to its lowest point following Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Nuclear power failed on its promises of nuclear cars and airplanes and beneficial mutations giving superpowers. The proponents of nuclear power failed in the media war to wind over the hearts and to overcome the fears of the science ignorant public. My hope is that policy makers and influential people might read this book and come away as pumped about nuclear energy as I now am.

BTW, I live near the supposed stockpile near Kirtland AFB that Cravens references and materials being shipped to WIPP pass on roads that I travel every day. I would be more comfortable with a nuclear generating plant in my backyard than with acres and acres of wind farms blocking out the sky.

Truth About Nuclear Energy

Customer Rating:
I have read through half of the book and find it fascinating. I am confident that based upon what I have read that I can provide an honest assessment of the book.

Before continuing, let me explain my rating logic. I give the book five stars on the information presented as it relates to the nuclear industry. I give it three stars for the endless Global Warming propaganda (IMHO) carried through out the book. Therefore, the average rating ends up as four stars.

The negative. From the tone of the book it is very obvious that the author wrote the book for her fellow leftists and environmentalists. For example, throughout the book you will hear the author make snide comments and sneeringly mention President Bush and the Iraqi war. Additionally, you will hear the oft repeated worries of the "proven" man-made Global Warming. But if you ignore these you will find a book worth its weight in gold.

The positive. The author does an excellent job in walking the reader through the science, history and future of nuclear engineering as applied to humanity's desire for a clean unlimited fuel source. Some of the things you will learn when you finish the books are:

- What different levels of radiation mean and their impact on the environment?
- The expended in the design and testing of reactors to ensure safety and security.
- Comparisons of the relative efficiencies as well as the environmental impact of wind, solar, fossil fuel, hydroelectric and nuclear power generation.
- What happened at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl and the impact on the environment?
- I cannot forget to mention the detailed explanation of risk analysis and how it applies to the nuclear industry and in everyday life.

Did you know that the background radiation given off by the natural environment is higher in Finland than in the contaminated zone of Chernobyl? See page 103 of the book. Or did you know that there is radiation emitted by coal fired plants? Or in smoking cigarettes?

If you want to know the science behind nuclear energy without all the fluff and propaganda of the anti-nuclear fanatics then this is the book for you.