Atomic Adventures

Mahaffey has a truly amazing book packed with unique information. The Japanese effort to build the atomic bomb, the use of Lawrence’s cyclotron to get crucial nuclear information, Teller’s star war laser, the deuterium tritium reaction and controlled thermonuclear fusion are spun into stories so fascinating I doubted them at first. Having direct contact in many of these fields I realized his facts were correctly researched and put together. Just one example where he and I trod similar paths is the cold fusion experiment with heavy water, palladium cathodes and exotic neutron detectors. I had never read the why some strange mistakes were made and the physical processes that lead to incorrect concepts. The secret US sono-balloon experiments that were interpreted as little green men in flying saucers and why the government had to keep it covered up. He grew up on top of a large nuclear reactor that was lost to Jane Fonda, the China Syndrome and political pressure as was mine at UCLA during the Summer Olympics. Being a Professor in Nuclear Physics I find more information packed into these pages than any other single text. This has lured me into noting his other two texts of Atomic Accidents and Atomic Awakening. The later makes some statements on future directions in nuclear energy which I must seriously consider because of the truths found in Atomic Adventures. Prof ddd, CSUN

I read a lot of books about the history of science and I will say that this is one of the most interesting I have come across. Most of the stories are new to me (N-rays? Argentinian fusion?). The author does a great job of providing you with background information (like how a Geiger Counter works, the set-up for his re-creation of the Pons/Fleischman fusion experiment). His explanation of quantum entanglement and how it could be used for faster than light communication is the clearest I've ever seen. His writing is clear, simple and funny. I LOVED this book and was sad to see it end.

Fascinating stories that you won’t hear anywhere else! I love the author’s wry humor and self-deprecating tone. His detailed descriptions of weird experimental labs tucked away in the forests of Georgia or the mountains of Argentina had me looking up Google Earth for hours! His narrative of the “discovery” of cold fusion was truly epic... all the more so because he is describing his OWN colossal folly. I only gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because this book was MUCH more technical than his other book which I absolutely loved, “Atomic Accidents”. I found myself skimming more scientific jargon than I would have liked. Still well worth buying—you’ll be entertained!!

As I like reading about all things nuclear, radiation,weapons,energy etc, I find all Mr. Mahaffeys books fascinating.He makes me wonder whether he is from another planet in some chapters with his highly technical knowledge of this subject. That is, he loses me in a couple of chapters, but that is what makes the subject so interesting.It's not like reading about cracking crude oil or coal, or even solar energy; This stuff is scary.Very good book. If you like this subject, buy it, it won't let you down.

Mahaffey knows and loves his subject matter. His account of cold fusion should be taught to anybody who wants to be a scientist. If you ever worked in a research laboratory, you should read that chapter. One could be made it into a movie: suspense, pressure, hope, excitement, doubt and crushing reality. It has it all. Reagan's "Star wars", Richter's Argentinian adventure has other lessons: lies, over-promises and misrepresentations can make the money flow to asinine projects. Japan's atomic program was a revelation too. Also excellent was the NERVA chapter on the development of nuclear propulsion for rockets. As my reading progressed, I also realized Mahaffey's deadpan humor which hits you unexpectedly with zingers and self deprecating comments. For a seriously technical read, I caught myself laughing out loud. He must be a fun guy to be around.

Dr. Mahaffey’s latest book is characteristically witty, insightful, wide-ranging and entertaining. Atomic Adventures has enough captivating stories to supply the material for a dozen Hollywood screenplays.If you haven’t read Dr. Mahaffey’s prior works, you should know that he is a gifted writer. He is least as skilled as Richard Rhodes (The Making of the Atomic Bomb) in explaining nuclear science to laymen in a way that is clear without being condescending. Dr. Mahffey provides the perfect amount of technical information. The reader will obtain an excellent understanding of nuclear technology without being bored by arcane details.This is the most entertaining book in the trilogy. You need not have read the prior two books in order to appreciate this brilliant account of some of the most exhilarating episodes in the history of nuclear technology.

Don't be put off by the low rating, I just have too high standards.The book is well written collection of stories on different attempts at finding the holy grail of nuclear engineering - fission. And maybe death rays. Author's knowledge of the topic and respect for scientific method is felt all through the book. Sadly, this knowledge is also somewhat a downside at the same time. I, having taken a couple of classes in nuclear engineering, sometimes had trouble following all the technical details mentioned in some cases. On the other hand, chapter 9, i think it was, was insulting the reader with explanations of how Newtonian mechanics don't work at a subatomic level. Author should decide on who's the target audience and stick with it.All in all, a good read. Would recommend to anyone interested in history and madness related to nuclear research. Some background in physics recommended though. What is nice, is that it's fresh and relatively up to date

Well written but is written for readers with a scientific background, preferably those with chemistry or physics background or Thor that have worked in the nuclear Navy or in the nuclear power industry.

For anyone not familiar with James Mahaffey, he is a physicist and nuclear engineer who is able to write on the subject in a way which mixes informative and insightful historical perspective with a rather dry wit which makes his books hugely enjoyable to read as well as being excellent primers on the subjects covered.This book is part anecdote, part walk through the history of certain nuclear subjects and part educational effort to reassure people about the risks associated with dirty bombs. Perhaps the most interesting sections (for me at least) were the bits on cold fusion, many may not remember the cold fusion false dawn of the late 80's and I certainly wasn't aware of James Mahaffey's role in first appearing to repeat the initial experiment followed by making a retraction when a simple measurement error was identified. The author provides his own first hand account of the episode and considers the holy grail of nuclear fusion in an unusually level headed way. The book also takes a tour through AQ Khan's contribution to nuclear proliferation, nuclear aircraft and rocket engines, death rays, Argentina's contribution to the great hope of nuclear fusion and the Japanese atomic bomb program of WW2 amongst other topics. Perhaps one of the most interesting sections is on dirty bombs where the author provides a rational and balanced analysis of the potential of dirty bombs and the actual risks which challenges the hysteria shown by the general media on the subject. Mahaffey presents a compelling case that the principal adverse effects would most likely be psychological rather than physical.Throughout the book the author provides information which is easily digestible by a lay person and the book is very accessible. The authors rather irreverent style is hugely engaging and just carries the reader along, the book is a joy to read. And the book is fully of witty asides and observations.An excellent book which manages to both educate and amuse. Very highly recommended, 5*.

This book is a great read, full of good anecdotes and interesting facts.It's really very random - the chapters each have their own topics which can have little in common, the proof reading could be better (if you mention the Tokyo fire raid twice in passing in different chapters that's fine, but don't present different inconsistent statements!) and it jumps between personal stories, historical accounts, and descriptions of relevant nuclear physics. However, if you stop looking for a theme and just enjoy each chapter on its own merits, it's a great read for anybody with an interest in the topic, and I really enjoyed it.

A series of stories and anecdotes that reveals some of the more outlandish experiments and research carried out. The author's experience in the industry allows him to describe first hand looking into the heart of a nuclear reactor and debunks some of the myths about the danger of nuclear power. Lots of detail and information that is missing from other more scientifically focused books.

This is an authoritative and engaging narrative history of some of the most interesting and occasionally crazy adventures in big box physics. Alloyed with Mahaffey's easy style and excellent humour, the reader is eased through difficult concepts, emerging feeling much more intelligent and knowledgeable than he thought possible. This is stone-cold the best treatment of nuclear physics for the layman ever. Exceptionally readable.

Knew most of this stuff myself but very interesting and confirmed a lot of cold war stuff I had heard about in the service that may or may not have been true, turns out even the wilder stuff was largely true. If you were a cold warrior this won't frighten you, others it is nightmare and funny all rolled into one.