The Case for Nukes: How We Can Beat Global Warming and Create a Free, Open, and Magnificent Future

by Robert Zubrin

The Case for Nukes is a unique book. In it, world-renowned nuclear and aerospace engineer Dr. Robert Zubrin explains how nuclear power works and how much it has to offer humanity. He debunks the toxic falsehoods that have been spread to dissuade us from using it by variously the ignorant, the fearful, the fanatical, and by cynical political operatives bought and paid for by competing interests. He tells about revolutionary developments in the field, including new reactor types that can be cheaply mass produced, that cannot be made to melt down no matter how hard their operators try, that use a new fuel called thorium far more plentiful than uranium, and still more advanced systems, employing thermonuclear fusion - the power that lights the sun - to extract more energy from a gallon of water than can be obtained from 300 gallons of gasoline. He tells about the bold entrepreneurs - a totally different breed from the government officials who created the existing types of nuclear reactors - who are leading this revolution in power technology. But there are broader issues involved in the nuclear debate than technology alone, and Zubrin is not shy about addressing them. He makes clear the critical difference between practical environmentalism, which seeks to improve the environment for the benefit of humanity, and ideological environmentalism, which seeks to use instances of human insult to natural environment as evidence for a prosecutorial case against human liberty. He shows how the latter school of thought is wrong, not only with respect to the catastrophic harm it would do to humanity, but to nature as well. He also exposes the masters of mercenary environmentalism, who deploy troops of dupes to shut down companies or whole industries in order to eliminate competition in return for being suitably rewarded by the beneficiaries of such efforts. He shows that when it comes to environmental improvement, freedom is not the problem; freedom is the solution. He makes clear both the possibility and necessity of a nuclear-power-enabled
revolution in the human condition by putting it in a broader historical context of the overall process of development of civilization, whereby new technologies create new resources and new knowledge, which in turn make possible still more technological advance. Finally, Zubrin brings all this to bear to address the greatest threat facing humanity today - which is the possibility that we will turn on each other, as we did in the 20 th century, under the spell of the false idea that resources are finite. Only in a world of unlimited resources can all men and women be brothers and sisters. Only in a world of freedom can resources be unlimited. That is the world we can, and must, create. In The Case for Nukes, Zubrin shows us how.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Technology

330 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2023

About the author

Robert M. Zubrin is an American aerospace engineer and author, best known for his advocacy of human exploration of Mars. He and his colleague at Martin Marietta, David Baker, were the driving force behind Mars Direct, a proposal in a 1990 research paper intended to produce significant reductions in the cost and complexity of such a mission.

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Zubrin fulfills this book's title that is part science book and part call to action.

[Matthew Mairinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an environmentalist and as a nuclear advocate I must say this is a "must read". To those unfamiliar it lays out clearly and succinctly the pros and necessity of nuclear power (fission and fusion) while debunking myths (and showcasing their origins). To those already familiar with nuclear it brings the latest updates (especially in regards to new fusion progress).

[Garrett Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This provocatively titled book makes the case for nuclear energy being the only rational option for humanity's future. Zubrin lays out the history, science, and future of nuclear in an accessible and sometimes-too-glib but fun way.

What makes this book stand out is that his vision for the future goes beyond merely a transition to nuclear energy effectively powering our grids. Zubrin details the potential of nuclear to enable interstellar space propulsion, geo-engineering and the astonishing possibilities that fusion power presents humanity. Zubrin also does a good job dispelling nuclear fears about safety, waste disposal, and putting historic accidents into context.

There's a lot of info on types of reactors, their pros/cons, along with innovations being developed enabling smaller and more potent fission reactor tech. China's role as a leader in the nuclear energy transition is covered to show a model for the world to follow.

The only negative is the final chapter where, out-of-nowhere, Zubrin goes on a tangent spuriously attempting to link modern environmental alarmism to the German National Socialist movement. There is a big difference between Blood-and-Soil conservationism and the de-growth anti-nuclear agenda pushed by the modern environmental movement. The chapter is so detached from the rest of the book, its inclusion baffled me.

Overall, this book is the best and most convincing argument I've read on the potential of nuclear energy and how imperative it is for the future.

[James Francis McEnanly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything that you wanted to know about nuclear power, but were afraid to ask.
This book has a thorough explanation of how the two main types of nuclear power, fission and fusion. He then compares nuclear and conventional power plants.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in power generation.

[Denis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This one really gets the mind going and puts up a very valid case for not just nuclear but cheap clean energy

[Socraticgadfly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not read, but I'm review-bombing off the editorial blurb:

He tells about revolutionary developments in the field, including new reactor types that can be cheaply mass produced, that cannot be made to melt down no matter how hard their operators try, that use a new fuel called thorium far more plentiful than uranium, and still more advanced systems, employing thermonuclear fusion - the power that lights the sun - to extract more energy from a gallon of water than can be obtained from 300 gallons of gasoline. He tells about the bold entrepreneurs - a totally different breed from the government officials who created the existing types of nuclear reactors - who are leading this revolution in power technology. But there are broader issues involved in the nuclear debate than technology alone, and Zubrin is not shy about addressing them. He makes clear the critical difference between practical environmentalism, which seeks to improve the environment for the benefit of humanity, and ideological environmentalism, which seeks to use instances of human insult to natural environment as evidence for a prosecutorial case against human liberty. He shows how the latter school of thought is wrong, not only with respect to the catastrophic harm it would do to humanity, but to nature as well.

Last part first.

People like me hate humanity, eh? Fuck off.

The first two thirds, next.

Thorium fission reactors have been "just around the corner" for 15 years. Nobody's built one.

Nuclear fusion power has been "just around the corner" for what, 60 years now? It will still be "just around the corner" 60 years from now.

Otherwise, the author is clearly a FreeDumb wingnut.

[Bruce D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read with serious messages

Author’s deep technical and scientific background comes through in this light hearted book which makes easy reading of a very technical subject.

The mind experiment examples of building your own atomic pile or pressure water reactor are the best I have seen at giving a nontechnical reader a clearer view of what is actually going on in a fission (or, speculatively, fusion) power reactor. This does a good job at demystifying the subject for the general public.

The editing is tight, with only a few repetitions that could be cleaned up.

Good gift for the nontechnical person who is captivated by the idea of sustainability but does not have the technical knowledge to go along with it.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read alongside Zubrin's other book The Case for Space: How the Revolution in Spaceflight Opens Up a Future of Limitless Possibility

He gives an excellent explanation of nuclear power (both fission and fusion) and the history of each, and a powerful argument for why we should invest in them and use them.

His philosophical views concerning human civilisation and progress are incredibly convincing. I hope that one day we will live in the world Zubrin wishes to see.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book. Zubrin makes learning fun - the book does a good job of describing the issues without dumbing them down. Over the last few decades, I have frequently found myself disagreeing with almost all media, politicians etc- frequently coming to the opposite conclusion than the ones being espoused. Zubrin is one of those few (along with Elon Musk, Bjorn Lomborg and Alec Epstein) that talk common sense- real solutions for real problems. He makes a very strong case that Nuclear Power IS the solution for our climate issues. I have never heard a literate argument against nuclear power, but over the last thirty years society has failed to aggressively pursue the one technology that would have made a difference. Zubrin gives us some insights into the forces arrayed against nuclear power and calls into question the motives and intellectual honesty of the green movement. Zubrin makes the case that climate change is real (though the risks are overstated), and says we need to reduce CO2 emissions, and that nuclear is the primary solution. My only issue is that sometimes he adopts a smart aleck tone that, while humorous, sometimes subtracts from his message.

[MARIO ZUNIGA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinario! Muy informativo y entretenido.

Recomendaría este libro a cualquiera interesado en temas de energía y ambientales. Es necesario romper los mitos que nos impiden aprovechar el gran potencial de la energía nuclear.

[Gerald Muething · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science backed facts not emotional hype!

Robert Zubrin brings you along
From the basics of nuclear physics tohe forces driving human progress or extinction. He makes one think and appreciate the challenges and opportunities that we face today.

[Tim Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going for 5 stars although he dives a little thick in the weeds at times, for my taste at least, and tends to get slightly sanctimonious towards the end. But the information and message is spot on.

[James F · Rating 4 out of 5]

very informative

[Allen Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

an incredibly important book. Shifted my thinking in many ways. Everyone should read it.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with most of this book, except fusion seems too wishful. Only nuclear power can raise the world out of poverty, pollution AND endless wars. This new book seems like a response to the Nov-Dec 2021 Analog scifi magazine that has an editorial on population and article on nukes and global warming. The two make a good pair to read, a kind of debate, and Zubrin has been a contributor to the mag so maybe it incited him.