Atomic Adventures

Starred review from April 17, 2017
Hot on the heels of Atomic Accidents, nuclear scientist Mahaffey devotes attention to another bevy of nuclear-related flops, failures, murders, thefts, and suicides. What Mahaffey details is often hilarious and occasionally horrifying. He begins in 1903 with the discovery of N-rays, which was announced by a distinguished French physicist and confirmed by peers. These rays turned out to be a pseudoscientific delusion. In 1989, some labs—the author’s included—confirmed the dazzling discovery of cold fusion. Many, though not all, recanted their findings. Today, the idea of a nuclear-powered bomber carrying a massive reactor and shielding generates laughs, and Mahaffey does not disappoint with his descriptions. But the U.S. Air Force took the concept seriously until the project’s cancellation in 1961. The nuclear rocket tested during that same period worked well, generating twice the thrust of a chemical rocket, though it too was canceled—the U.S. military lost interest in expensive space projects after the successful moon landing. Nuclear accidents wreak havoc, but nuclear thievery also kills, as Mahaffey shows in accounts of criminals who stole radioactive material with fatal results. Mahaffey’s book is largely a collection of unconnected tales and anecdotes, but the results are irresistible. Illus. Agent: George Lucas, InkWell.

Remember the cold fusion brouhaha back in 1989? That scientific debacle, in which the author played a part, is only one episode in this collection of stories about atomic research gone wrong--and occasionally right. The writing is crisp and engaging, and through well-paced modulation and comfort with challenging vocabulary, narrator Keith Sellon-Wright captures Mahaffey's obvious passion for his subject matter. While reflecting the gravity of many situations in atomic history, Sellon-Wright also adds a measured tone of incredulity to the surprising humorous moments. Mahaffey's fans will enjoy this wonderful pairing of author and narrator. C.M.A. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine