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| Cover shown is revised paperback edition |
| NUCLEAR CHOICES A Citizen's Guide to Nuclear Technology Richard Wolfson Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1991 |
Rating: 5.0 High |
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| ISBN-13 978-0-262-23158-9 | ||||
| ISBN 0-262-23158-1 | 467pp. | HC/BWI | $? | |
This book developed from a course that Richard Wolfson gave at Middlebury College. It is divided into three parts. Part I explains the basics of nuclear physics. Part II covers nuclear power, and Part III nuclear weapons. The approach throughout the book is to pose provocative (and often unanswerable) questions for the reader, thus illustrating the complexity of many "nuclear choices". Wolfson provides plenty of answers as well, from the universal applicability of Einstein's famous equation to the details of nuclear arms reduction treaties. Each of the book's 18 chapters has its own notes, reading list and glossary. The text is supplemented by plenty of charts, tables, and black-and-white photographs. Wolfson has also tracked down a host of relevant news stories, and some of these are posted as "Nuclear News" sidebars, along with the questions they raise. Although dated,1 Nuclear Choices is a masterpiece of technical exposition which belongs in the library of anyone concerned about the future.
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