In Mortal Hands

In Mortal Hands traces the history of nuclear power from its wartime origins through its development as a civilian energy source. The book examines both military and commercial applications of nuclear technology, presenting key events and decisions that shaped the industry. Cooke investigates the technical, economic, and political challenges that have faced nuclear power development over decades. The text explores ongoing issues with nuclear waste storage, plant safety, and the relationship between civilian nuclear programs and weapons proliferation. Drawing from extensive research and industry experience, Cooke analyzes the viability of nuclear power as a solution to climate change. The book examines government spending on nuclear development and its impact on alternative energy research. The work stands as a comprehensive examination of nuclear power's complex legacy, raising fundamental questions about the future role of this technology in global energy systems. Its historical analysis reveals patterns that remain relevant to current energy policy debates.

Readers describe this as a detailed history of nuclear power that focuses on industry problems and safety concerns. Reviews note the book's thorough research and extensive interviews with nuclear experts and officials. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex technical concepts - Personal stories and historical anecdotes that maintain interest - Global scope covering multiple countries' nuclear programs - Documentation of safety incidents and regulatory failures Common criticisms: - Anti-nuclear bias that some felt overshadowed objectivity - Too much focus on accidents/problems vs benefits - Dense writing style in certain technical sections - Limited coverage of newer nuclear technologies Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (21 ratings) Several readers noted it works better as a reference book than a cover-to-cover read. One reviewer on Goodreads called it "exhaustively researched but exhausting to read." Multiple Amazon reviewers praised the historical research while questioning what they saw as an agenda against nuclear power.

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🔸 Stephanie Cooke spent over 40 years reporting on nuclear issues as a journalist, including serving as editor of Nuclear Intelligence Weekly. 🔸 The book reveals how the development of nuclear power plants was largely driven by the desire to justify nuclear weapons programs during the Cold War. 🔸 The author conducted more than 150 interviews across five continents over eight years to compile the research for this book. 🔸 The title "In Mortal Hands" comes from a quote by nuclear physicist Alvin Weinberg about the eternal vigilance required to safely manage nuclear technology. 🔸 The book documents how the estimated cost of nuclear power generation has consistently increased over time, contrary to early industry promises that it would become "too cheap to meter."