Books

[UncaBuffalo]

I just read Idaho Falls: The Untold Story of America's First Nuclear Accident...about SL-1.  I found it an interesting (if somewhat over-sensationalized) look at the whole accident.  

My instructor in tech school was one of the first responders on the night of the accident, so it was fun to compare what he had told us with the version given in the book.  

And, having gone to high school & tech school in Idaho Falls...and worked CPP...it was interesting to recognize places mentioned in the book.

Only complaint is that he could have wrapped it up 100 pages sooner and not omitted anything.

[Marlin]

I just read Idaho Falls: The Untold Story of America's First Nuclear Accident...about SL-1.  I found it an interesting (if somewhat over-sensationalized) look at the whole accident.  

My instructor in tech school was one of the first responders on the night of the accident, so it was fun to compare what he had told us with the version given in the book.  

And, having gone to high school & tech school in Idaho Falls...and worked CPP...it was interesting to recognize places mentioned in the book.

Only complaint is that he could have wrapped it up 100 pages sooner and not omitted anything.

One of our civilian instructors at ELT school at S1W in the early 70s was a responder to the accident at SL-1. I wonder if he might be the same man. He had some very interesting stories.

[UncaBuffalo]

One of our civilian instructors at ELT school at S1W in the early 70s was a responder to the accident at SL-1. I wonder if he might be the same man. He had some very interesting stories.

My instructor was Paul Maser...he was HP at CPP most of his career.

[Marlin]

My instructor was Paul Maser...he was HP at CPP most of his career.

Nope not the same guy but then there were a lot of people there for response and recovery. I wish I could remember his name, he and Doc Wrencher were, very good and entertaining instructors.

[rptech31]

I always thought it would be extremely interesting if someone were to publish a book or compilation of stories based on the different experiences people have had in the nuclear industry.  The way things were in the 70s and 80s is almost polarizing compared to the way we do things now. 

How someone would go about getting consent and other things for use of names would be a challenge probably. 

[Marvin]

The Truth About Chernobyl, by Medvedev

...probably no longer in print...picked it up at on the bargain book shelf at wallie-world in the early 90's

...Medvedev was the investigating engineer assigned to report to the Kremlin when the accident occurred.

...one of the first people to show up with a high range dose rate instrument

...written in russian, then translated into english (not a very good translation).

...has dose rates and other interesting radiological information

[cheme09]

Nuclear Energy: What Everyone Needs to Know
Charles D. Ferguson

One of my classmates just recommended this book to me, describing it as a fun easy read.  I intend on picking it up when I find the time (most likely after graduation) but just wanted to know if anyone here has read it and what you think of it.

It's a fairly new book and the only review of it on Amazon uses the info in the book as more evidence to not pursue nuclear energy.  Given Dr. Ferguson's background, I find it interesting that one would make that kind of conclusion after reading his book.  I've always encouraged those interested in learning about nuclear energy to read Creating the New World by Theodore Rockwell.

The title of this book sounds like it should shed some light on all the issues and misinformation out there.  So does it?

[wlrun3@aol.com]

Atomic Awakening, James Mahaffey
 "Nuclear power, waiting quietly in it's coma, has now become inevitable. The need for nuclear power has finally caught up with it's mad dash to develop. Whether you like it or not, the industrial world no longer has a choice. The age of burning coal and gasoline is over, as atmospheric chemistry and general environmental pollution have approached states of crisis, and hydrocarbons are becoming too expensive to burn. We need wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and anything else we can think of, but the base power source must be constant running, high output nuclear stations."

[wlrun3@aol.com]

The Invention That Changed The World, Buderi

"From the ashes of the Second World War, there have emerged two great technological thrillers: Richard Rhode's The Making of the Atomic Bomb and this book.
The New Yorker

Rarely am I as impressed.

[wlrun3@aol.com]

The book "American Nuclear Power Plants" is available in pdf at:

americannuclearpowerplants.com

[wlrun3@aol.com]

Smart Power: Climate Change, the Smart Grid, and the Future of Electric Utilities
by Peter S. Fox-Penner

A very clear picture of the options available to the planners who are now deciding what electricity production , transmission and usage will look like in the near future.

This website should be referenced frequently when reading this book.

  http://38.96.246.204/electricity/data.cfm