Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for Uranium by Tom Zoellner - Wait list

Uranium

War, Energy, and the Rock That Shaped the World

by Tom Zoellner
Patrick Lawlor
Audiobook
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 4 weeks
Place a hold Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 4 weeks
Uranium is a common element in the earth's crust and the only naturally occurring mineral with the power to end all life on the planet. After World War II, it reshaped the global order—whoever could master uranium could master the world.


Marie Curie gave us hope that uranium would be a miracle panacea, but the Manhattan Project gave us reason to believe that civilization would end with apocalypse. Slave labor camps in Africa and Eastern Europe were built around mine shafts, and America would knowingly send more than 600 uranium miners to their graves in the name of national security.


Fortunes have been made from this yellow dirt; massive energy grids have been run from it. Fear of it panicked the American people into supporting a questionable war with Iraq, and its specter threatens to create another conflict in Iran. Now, some are hoping it can help avoid a global warming catastrophe.


In Uranium, Tom Zoellner takes readers around the globe in this intriguing look at the mineral that can sustain life or destroy it.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    April 20, 2009

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781400190324
      • File size: 373849 KB
      • Duration: 12:58:51

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Zoellner takes an extended look at uranium--"the mineral of the Apocalypse." From the discovery of radioactivity to the development of the atomic bomb--the author looks at the impact of this powerful element on humankind. Narrator Patrick Lawlor applies just the right tone of aplomb to this examination of science and politics. Lawlor's performance grows on the listener. His enthusiasm keeps the listener engaged even in the midst of some dry details. He also has a talent for accents that adds interesting nuances to his performance. For example, when the author recounts the actions of A.Q. Kahn, the Pakistani who sold nuclear weapons and technology to anyone with money, Lawlor delivers Kahn's rationalizations with an Arabic accent: "What's the harm? Who is going to use those weapons?" J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from November 24, 2008
      In this fine piece of journalism, Zoellnerdoes for uranium what he did for diamonds in The Heartless Stone
      —he delves into the complex science, politics and history of this radioactive mineral, which presents “the best and worst of mankind: the capacity for scientific progress and political genius; the capacity for nihilism, exploitation, and terror.” Because Zoellner covers so much ground, from the discovery of radioactivity, through the development of the atomic bomb, he doesn't go into great depth on any one topic. Nonetheless, he superbly paints vivid pictures of uranium's impact, including forced labor in Soviet mines and lucky prospectors who struck it rich in harsh environments, the spread of uranium smuggling, as well as an explanation of why it was absurd to claim that Saddam Hussein was attempting to purchase significant quantities of uranium from Niger. The only shortcoming is Zoellner's omission of the issue of radioactive wastes generated by nuclear power—a significant problem given the possibility of a growing reliance on nuclear power.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading
Check Out What's Being Checked Out Right Now