In 1945, Albert Einstein said, "The release of atomic power has changed everything except our way of thinking ... the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind." This statement seems more valid today than ever. Romancing the Atom: Nuclear Infatuation from the Radium Girls to Fukushima presents compelling moments that clearly depict the folly and shortsightedness of our "atomic mindset" and shed light upon current issues of nuclear power, waste disposal, and weapons development. The book consists of ten nonfiction historical vignettes, including the women radium dial painters of the 1920s, the expulsion of the Bikini Island residents to create a massive "petri dish" for post-World War II bomb and radiation testing, the government-subsidized uranium rush of the 1950s and its effects on Native American communities, and the secret radioactive material development facilities in residential neighborhoods. In addition, the book includes original interviews of prominent historians, writers, and private citizens involved with these poignant stories. More information is available online at romancingtheatom.com. A cautionary tale of a power we don't fully understand. - Jeanette Walls, The Glass Castle All the wonder, paranoia, and color of a 1940s comic book. - Andrew Leland, The Believer Shows us what the morning after looks like. - Tom Zoellner, Uranium A marvel of highly entertaining narrative style. - Bill Geerhart, CONELRAD.com The atom and its associated power have captivated human consciousness for more than 100 years. From the production of glow-in-the-dark wristwatch faces to studies on the effects of radiation on the human body, there have been many shocking examples of our willingness to expose innocent victims to great harm in exchange for the perceived benefit. In 1945, Albert Einstein said, "The release of atomic power has changed everything except our way of thinking ... the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind." This statement seems more valid today than ever. Romancing the Atom: Nuclear Infatuation from the Radium Girls to Fukushima presents compelling moments that clearly depict the folly and shortsightedness of our "atomic mindset" and shed light upon current issues of nuclear power, waste disposal, weapons development, radioactive cleanup, and nuclear medical treatments. Aimed at a general audience from young adults on up, the book consists of ten nonfiction stories, including the women radium dial painters of the 1920s, the expulsion of the Bikini Island residents to create a massive "petri dish" for post-World War II bomb and radiation testing, the government-subsidized uranium rush of the 1950s and its effects on Native American communities, the secret radioactive material development facilities in residential neighborhoods, and the intense moments following the Fukushima, Japan tsunami and Dai-ichi nuclear power plant meltdown. In addition, the book includes original interviews with experts and citizens intimately involved with these poignant stories. It includes a special section on suggested reading group discussion questions and assignments for community or classroom use. " Romancing the Atom is a deeply engrossing, cautionary tale of our often dangerous love affair with a power we don't fully understand." - Jeanette Walls, Author of The Glass Castle "With its stories of Radium Girls painting glowing hands onto the faces of mass-produced clocks, and scientists quaffing radioactive 'liquid sunshine' like it was whiskey, Romancing the Atom is an expertly researched cultural history with all the wonder, paranoia, and color of a 1940s comic book." - Andrew Leland, Co-editor of The Believer "The beauty and the terror of nuclear fission has been an enchantment for men and societies for nearly seventy years. As Robert Johnson reminds us in this excellent book, that fascination has a deadly side that cannot be ignored. Through a series of selected episodes, he looks beyond the seduction of nuclear propaganda and shows us what the morning after looks like." - Tom Zoellner, Author of Uranium: War, Energy and the Rock That Shaped the World "In Romancing the Atom , Robert R. Johnson illustrates the long history of the combustible element and the largely rapturous human reaction to it. The atom's tale is revealed through a series of fascinating and richly drawn stories that include some unforgettable and bizarre moments (Liquid Sunshine, anyone?). This fine book is a marvel of in depth research and highly entertaining narrative style." - Bill Geerhart, Editor and Co-founder of CONELRAD.com Robert R. Johnson is professor of rhetoric, composition, and technical communication in the Humanities Department at Michigan Technological University, Houghton. Used Book in Good Condition