Fallout: An American Nuclear Tragedy

by Philip L. Fradkin

Tests in Nevada in the 1950's & 60s spread fallout that effected millions of Americans for decades to come. Fradkin covers the story of one court trail and the US govenrment's coverup.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1988

About the author

Philip L. Fradkin is an American environmentalist historian, journalist and author. Fradkin has authored books ranging from Alaska, California and Nevada, with topics ranging from water conservation, earthquakes, and nuclear weapons.

In 2005, Fradkin was given the Californiana Award by the Commonwealth Club of California.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be a VERY up and down book with its excitement, yes I do realize it is a book about nuclear tests and all the congressional mess behind it, but the really,only interesting parts where when they actually conducted tests and saw what it could do to the environment, and during the two trials of when a farm owner lost sheep along with the trial about the tests causing a rise Amongst cancer patients. What happened during the nuclear fallout was tragic but I still think that if I could've found a good book about Chernobyl, I might've enjoyed it a lot more. I know it sounds dark but nothing really bad happened in the United States that was event changing except for the fact that our government really didn't care about the environment and just had tunnel vision on tests. Unlike in Chernobyl were animals and humans were mutated and a good percentage of land in Ukraine is hazardous to breathe in.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(another one) I'm fascinated and horrified by the nuclear testing on U.S. soil. This book was very well researched. Though dry in some parts, it's a good comprehensive read on all the chronological events during and after testing at the Nevada test site, including the litigation of fallout effects.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of the government atmospheric nuclear tests in Nevada and how the subsequent fallout blew over much of southern Utah. The "downwinder" trials are examined and (in the epilogue) Clinton's Compensation Act is discussed. The whole account makes me sad.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book details the alarming inaction and unconcern of the govt for the people affected by the nuclear testing in the 1950s -- a black stain on our nation's history!!!

[Anna (Bobs Her Hair) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 or 5 stars