Nuclear energy will inevitably become an important issue worldwide in the 21st century. It pollutes the environment, with consequences that are highly controversial; and it generates plutonium -- the essential component of nuclear weapons. At the same time, it is a realistic alternative to at least some of the expected huge increase in global demand for fossil-fuel burning which itself is a major source of environmental pollution, and not least of "greenhouse" gases.

This invaluable book attempts to provide, for the non-technical reader, an objective and critical account of the main issues...