Atomic Adventures cover art

Atomic Adventures

Secret Islands, Forgotten N-Rays, and Isotopic Murder - A Journey into the Wild World of Nuclear Science

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Atomic Adventures

By: James Mahaffey
Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright
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About this listen

Whether you are a scientist or a poet, pro-nuclear energy or staunch opponent, conspiracy theorist or pragmatist, James Mahaffey's books have served to open up the world of nuclear science like never before. With clear explanations of some of the most complex scientific endeavors in history, Mahaffey's new book looks back at the atom's wild, secretive past and then toward its potentially bright future.

Mahaffey unearths lost reactors on far-flung Pacific islands and trees that were exposed to active fission that changed gender or bloomed in the dead of winter. He explains why we have nuclear submarines but not nuclear aircraft and why cold fusion doesn't exist. And who knew that radiation counting was once a fashionable trend?

Though parts of the nuclear history might seem like a fiction mash-up where cowboys somehow got a hold of a reactor, Mahaffey's vivid prose holds the listener in thrall of the infectious energy of scientific curiosity and ingenuity that may one day hold the key to solving our energy crisis or sending us to Mars.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 James Mahaffey (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Engineering History History & Philosophy Physics Science Imperial Japan Military Air Force

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All stars
Most relevant
It’s like a bag full of interesting facts, with a bit a loose structure attached to each of the stories. I enjoyed it and would recommend it for those who already know a lot about this topic.

Interesting information

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Lots of good stories ranging from the true origin of Roswell UFO stories though atomic rocket motors to the cold fusion debacle. Along the way I also learned to stop worrying about dirty bombs.

Laconic telling of hidden nuclear history

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a fascinating combination of atomic oriented science and real world stories. sometimes funny or shocking or simply intriguing

Fascinating

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I loved this audiobook, it was full of interest to me, very well written and narrated. I have to admit that I may be biased as I am a Radiochemist and I knew some of the characters who were featured.

Excellent

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An interesting book, but could have been easier to read some of the technical terms than listen. The PRC-11-GN repeated three times in a sentence gets a bit hard on the ears, but otherwise fascinating and well delivered.

Interesting listen.

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