Nuclear Renewal: Common Sense About Energy [Hardcover]

Richard Rhodes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0670852074 | ISBN-13: 978-0670852079 | Publication Date: September 1993

The author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Making of the Atomic Bomb discusses the feasibility of nuclear power in America, arguing that it is the safest, cleanest, and most economical energy source available. 25,000 first printing. $20,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Nuclear power accounts for 75% of France's electrical output. The figure is 27% in Japan, whose nuclear power plants are more efficient and safer than their U.S. counterparts, which generate approximately 20% of the nation's electricity; the Japanese estimate that nuclear power will be their cheapest energy source by 2010. To investigate what went wrong with the U.S. nuclear energy industry, Rhodes ( The Making of the Atomic Bomb ) went to Japan and France to interview energy officials, scientists and safety personnel. He concludes that U.S. manufacturers, government regulators and utilities together produced the current nuclear energy impasse through bad design, neglect of safety issues, gross mismanagement and inexperienced labor. Citing France's highly efficient fuel reprocessing program, Rhodes argues that the technology is available to eliminate the problem of storing tons of unprocessed "spent" fuel. Blaming the Chernobyl disaster on complacency, fatal design flaws and safety violations, he also observes that "no commercial reactor in the United States is designed anything like" Chernobyl. His forceful, challenging polemic is almost certain to revive national debate over the future of nuclear power.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In this brief, readable book, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rhodes ( The Making of the Atomic Bomb , LJ 3/1/87; Making Love , LJ 7/92) argues that "nuclear power isn't dead" and that as the "cleanest and safest significant form of energy available... it ought to be supported, not condemned." Noting that the public has often confused nuclear energy with nuclear weapons, he seeks to clear up misconceptions with a concise history of commercial nuclear power in the United States, blaming its setbacks on mismanagement by the utilities, regulatory commissions, and equipment manufacturers ("the truth is that nuclear power was killed, not by its enemies, but by its friends"). Rhodes then analyzes the nuclear programs of Japan and France, proposes potential models for the United States, and examines the accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. His final chapter is devoted to the future of nuclear power. While his thesis will be disputed by nuclear opponents, the value of Rhodes's book lies in his making complex ideas easily understandable to lay readers. Recommended.
- Wilda Williams, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 127 pages
• Publisher: Viking Pr (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670852074
• ISBN-13: 978-0670852079
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,236,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best overview of nuclear power yet written., September 19, 2004

By 

M. Johnson "biobooks" (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nuclear Renewal: Common Sense About Energy (Hardcover)

This is the rarest sort of book -one that is totally accessible to the beginner interested in learning more about nuclear power, but so filled with details and specifics that it is both enjoyable and informative for the reader that already knows quite a bit about the topic. The book is mainly valuable for addressing the politics surrounding the debate about nuclear power in America, and contrasting public perceptions with very well researched facts. This is the best single compendium of facts, figures, and political events surrounding nuclear power that I have seen. Replete with history to explain exactly how different aspects of the current technological and political situations came about. The book was later made into a PBS documentary, which is seldom rebroadcast -perhaps because the conclusions that Rhodes reaches through his research puts him at odds with many PBS regular viewers? An excellent book. Typical of Rhodes' thorough but readable style.

4.0 out of 5 stars Misunderstood, June 25, 2010

By 

MKM "mad about books" (Bronxville, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nuclear Renewal: Common Sense About Energy (Hardcover)

A slim and easy read from Richard Rhodes as he departs from the use of nuclear energy as a weapon (Pulitzer prize winning books on the Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs) to powering our ever growing need for electricity. We haven't progressed too much since 1993 when the book was published. Most people still have a negative view on nuclear energy which based on the book is unjustified. His main theme is that mismanagement (Disastrously by the USSR for Chernobyl causing human death and Three Mile Island causing death to the industry rather than humans) in the industry has caused its downfall especially in the US. As a result the risks associated with Nuclear Energy have been magnified considerably when the facts say the risks are less than most of the daily activities we live with. Considering that 20% of the US is powered by Nuclear and there have been no deaths related to it his points are well taken. The book as it is slim is a good starting point for further exploration and the timing is right as it seems the world is warming up to Nuclear - no pun intended.

3.0 out of 5 stars Not enough specific solutions, January 21, 2003

By 

A. A Slezak "Incredulous Reader" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nuclear Renewal: Common Sense About Energy (Hardcover)

I have read Richard Rhodes other books "The Making of the Atomic Bomb and Dark Sun; both of them are excellent books and should be read by anyone who wants to understand the history of the 20th century. This book was good but I would have like to have known more of the new types of reactors they are making that are inherently safe. He did not even mention TRIGA which is used all over the world. Why can't that be made on a power plant scale.

I thought it was good in the way that it described breeding and why it is necessary so that we don't have to bury wastes for thousands of years. Breeding should be a requirement of the NRC to reduce waste. I would have like to have heard about other fuels that could be used besides uranium.

The book is good in the fact that it teaches you that nuclear power is safe but is also technologically advanced. I would like to see what advances have been made in the last 10 years since this book was written. I think it would be good for the country for the kids in school to see these plants and how they dispose of waste and compare it to other types of fuel processing so that people could know the truth.

I wish it was more specific on how much nuclear fuel we have available and how long it will last like they do with the coal and oil reserves we have. I was glad that the book mention Rickover not many people know what he did for this industry as well as for the Navy. I would recommend reading the latest book on him by Frances Duncan.