Amchitka and the Bomb: Nuclear Testing in Alaska [Hardcover]

Dean W. Kohlhoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2002

More than a quarter-century has now passed since the United States set off the last of three underground atomic blasts in the remote wilderness of the Aleutian islands, off the coast of Alaska. Cannikin, as this third test was called, exploded as planned on November 6, 1971, on Amchitka Island. The first test (1965) was designed to determine whether the blast's shock waves could be distinguished from earthquakes; the second (1969) and third were part of the U.S. anti-ballistic missile development program. Amchitka and the Bomb looks at how these nuclear explosions were planned and conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Atomic Energy Commission, in spite of vehement protests by political and civilian groups. Dean Kohlhoff traces the enormous environmental impact of the blasts on the Aleutian wildlife refuge system. He also examines the social and political fallout from the tests on Aleut civilian populations. As the tests inexorably went forward, an emerging environmental movement was galvanized to action. Passionate but ultimately futile attempts to stop the blasts were made by such nascent groups as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and the Wilderness Society. Although Alaskan Aleuts sued to halt Cannikin and environmental groups joined them for an injunction against the test, a split U.S. Supreme Court eventually approved the 5.1-megaton explosion. Amchitka and the Bomb tells a harrowing story of the struggle of private citizens and small environmental groups to counter the weight of the federal government. It adds immeasurably to our understanding of the nuclear history of the United States. Its concise interweaving of the military, scientific, economic, and social implications surrounding the nuclear explosions on Amchitka Island exposes the unpleasant consequences of allowing treasured national values to become victim to political necessity. Dean Kohlhoff (1933-1997) was a professor of history at Valparaiso University in Indiana for 30 years. His other publications include When the Wind Was a River.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Amchitka and the Bomb will be an important contribution to environmental and Alaska studies and to national defense studies. -- Stephen Haycox, University of Alaska, Anchorage

About the Author

Dean Kohlhoff (1933--1997) was a professor of history at Valparaiso University in Indiana for 30 years. His other publications include When the Wind Was a River.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: University of Washington Press (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0295982551
• ISBN-13: 978-0295982557
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,510,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cannikin: the largest nuclear test in U.S. history, April 6, 2005

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This review is from: Amchitka and the Bomb: Nuclear Testing in Alaska (Hardcover)

Dean Kohlhoff's manuscript on the nuclear history of Alaska is detailed and thoroughly researched (the End Notes section of the book is nearly 40 pages long). The writing is generally academic and, occasionally, it comes off a little bit dry. However, this book is a good resource for anyone interested in the era of Cold War politics, the unmitigated rationale behind exponential nuclear testing, and the nascence of the environmental movement that stood in opposition to this policy.