Contaminated Country: Nuclear Colonialism and Aboriginal Resistance in Australia

by Jessica Urwin, Paul S. Sutter (foreword)

326 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A history of nuclear colonialism in Australia offers much more than merely charting the impact of nuclear processes on aboriginal people. It demonstrates the persistence and contemporary relevance of colonial structures, narratives, and ambitions. It highlights the insufficient periodization afforded by considering nuclear colonialism an exceptional product of the post-1945 “nuclear age.” And perhaps most importantly, such a history serves as reminder that nuclear colonialism has not been and is not merely enacted upon peoples, but has been and continues to be challenged, resisted, and forced to adapt.”

Very good, very depressing. Incredibly well researched and a great job making sense of Australia’s nuclear archival record. Empires are evil and nuclear weapons are immoral, & nothing will ever change my mind!