James A. Mahaffey Books

From the moment radiation was discovered in the late nineteenth century, nuclear science has had a rich history of innovative scientific exploration and discovery, coupled with mistakes, accidents, and downright disasters. Mahaffey, a long-time advocate of continued nuclear research and nuclear energy, looks at each incident in turn and analyzes what happened and why, often discovering where scientists went wrong when analyzing past meltdowns.Every incident has lead to new facets in understanding about the mighty atom—and Mahaffey puts forth what the future should be for this final frontier of science that still holds so much promise.

This six-volume set delves into the science, mechanisms, developments, dangers, successes, disasters, and lessons of the nuclear power industry, which will shape society for generations. Initially developed under military secrecy due to its destructive potential, nuclear technology now addresses dwindling energy resources and environmental concerns. The volumes provide a comprehensive history of nuclear power, its future expansion, and its potential role as humanity explores the universe. For over fifty years, nuclear power has served as a cleaner, more efficient energy source, despite the inherent risks highlighted by various global incidents. One volume focuses on significant nuclear accidents, analyzing their causes, long- and short-term impacts, and the lessons learned. It covers notable events such as the meltdowns at Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Chalk River, with a special section on the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Additional topics include fuel-processing facilities, the ghost village of Prypiat, safety concerns, types of nuclear reactors, and radiation sickness. The set features over 40 color photographs, illustrations, sidebars, a chronology, a glossary, resource lists, and an index, making it an essential resource for high school students, educators, and general readers interested in the implications of nuclear technology on the environment.