'This vitally important book counters nuclear fear with deep knowledge and honest good will. It is by far the best book on the subject yet written. We need its authoritative perspective for the difficult transition we face today away from carbon energy.' Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize recipient for The Making of the Atomic Bomb
Preface; Introduction; 1. Why nuclear and why now?; 2. How it began: weapons and their legacy; 3. What is nuclear energy? Some helpful background; 4. Nuclear energy for public power: history and limits; 5. Radiation: a guide for the perplexed; 6. Chernobyl and Fukushima: the meaning and legacy of accidents; 7. Godzilla's children: origins of nuclear anxiety; 8. Why not nuclear: points and counterpoints; 9. Global energy and nuclear power: the next 30 years; 10. The new context: climate change realities; 11. Launching a new nuclear power state: the United Arab Emirates; 12. Non-proliferation: preventing the spread of weapons; 13. Conclusion: is nuclear power essential?; Index.