Atoms and Ashes: From Bikini Atoll to Fukushima – Serhii Plokhy

In Atoms and Ashes, historian Serhii Plokhy crafts a gripping exploration of six key nuclear disasters—from Bikini Atoll’s early fallout to the catastrophic meltdowns in Chernobyl and Fukushima. With meticulous research and survivor testimony, Plokhy unveils the chaotic decision-making, governmental cover-ups, and human cost behind each episode of atomic terror.

Praised as “a formidable achievement” by Kai Bird and lauded for its clarity by Financial Times and The Times, this narrative transcends typical historical accounts. It surfaces critical insights about power, safety, and the risks we continue to take in the quest for energy. A timely cautionary tale, this paperback edition (Penguin Books Ltd, August 31 2023) spans 384 pages, measuring 198 × 129 × 21 mm, and weighs about 281 g.