We Almost Lost Detroit

We Almost Lost Detroit chronicles the story of Fermi 1, the first commercial breeder reactor in the United States, and its near-catastrophic partial meltdown in 1966. The book documents the development, operation, and ultimate failure of this pioneering nuclear facility located near Detroit, Michigan. Fuller's account reconstructs the events through interviews, technical documents, and regulatory records, tracking the sequence of decisions and incidents that led to the accident. The narrative follows key figures involved in the reactor's operation and the response to the emergency, providing context about nuclear energy development in the 1960s. The book examines the broader implications of the Fermi 1 incident for nuclear power safety, regulation, and public policy in America. It details the four-year recovery attempt and eventual decommissioning of the facility in 1972. This work stands as both a technical account and a cautionary tale about the risks of nuclear technology, raising questions about oversight, safety protocols, and the true costs of nuclear power development.

Readers found this 1975 account of the Fermi nuclear reactor accident informative but technically dense. The book resonated with Michigan residents and nuclear power skeptics. Readers appreciated: - Detailed research and documentation - Clear explanation of complex nuclear concepts - Historical context of early nuclear power - Focus on both technical failures and human errors "The author manages to make nuclear physics understandable" - Goodreads reviewer "Important historical record of a near-catastrophe" - Amazon reader Common criticisms: - Dry, textbook-like writing style - Heavy use of technical jargon - Anti-nuclear bias in tone - Dated scientific information "Too technical for casual readers" - Goodreads review "Could have used more human interest angles" - Amazon reader Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (224 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) The book maintains steady readership among nuclear policy scholars, engineers, and Michigan history enthusiasts.

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🔸 The book's title inspired a 1975 song of the same name by Gil Scott-Heron, which became an anthem for the anti-nuclear movement 🔸 The Fermi 1 reactor's partial meltdown occurred on October 5, 1966, when a piece of zirconium plating blocked sodium coolant flow, leading to the melting of two fuel assemblies 🔸 Author John G. Fuller was known for investigating and writing about unexplained phenomena, including UFO encounters, making this deeply researched nuclear incident exposé a departure from his usual subjects 🔸 The Fermi 1 incident remained largely unknown to the public until Fuller's book was published in 1975, bringing national attention to nuclear safety concerns 🔸 The reactor site is now home to Fermi 2, an operational nuclear power plant that began commercial operation in 1988 and continues to supply power to the Detroit metropolitan area