Atomic Show number 21 is a special episode. I was honored by the opportunity to interview Mary Mycio, the author of Wormwood Forest: A Natural History of Chernobyl. Mary is a unique person with an interesting career path; she earned her undergraduate degree in biology, became a lawyer and then left the law to pursue a career as a journalist and writer. In 1986, after the Chernobyl accident, she developed what she calls in the preface to her book “an atomic fire – a determination to find out the truth about Chernobyl.”
The book is a fascinating journey of discovery and provides a unique view of the area that the Ukrainians call The Zone of Alienation.
Please have a listen and learn why Mary believes that it is time to rethink opposition to nuclear power.
(Note: During the interview, Mary recommended the following book – Nuclear Fear: A History of Images by Spencer R. Weart)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:08 — 12.1MB)
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I read the book _Nuclear Fear_. Weart does present an interesting story of how images of apocalyse & renewal that go back many centuries, got tied up with nuclear energy & distorted thinking about the issues.
He has also created a book & website on the history of the science behind the global warming issues.
Another book of his I’ll look for is about the observation that democracies rarely or never go to war with each other.
I haven’t found a copy of Mary Mycio’s book yet.