The Nuclear Peninsula

by Françoise Zonabend

A quiet French country district is the site of a nuclear waste processing plant. Françoise Zonabend describes how those working there, and living nearby, reconcile themselves to the possibility of nuclear catastrophe. By analyzing work practices and language, the author provides a superb sociology of the nuclear workplace, with its divisions and hierarchies, and explains the often unexpected responses of the workers to the fear of contamination. This is a major contribution to the anthropology of modern life.

152 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1993

Reviews

[astrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat frustrating… lots of interesting ideas, especially vaguely mentioned in the conclusion, but without much substantiation or elaboration. Maddened by all the ‘constantly trying to abate fear through endless mechanisms’ stuff - interlocutors don’t come through as much as one would like. I wish it had a theory beyond this