Higginbotham Adam: Ponoć u Černobilju

Adam Higginbotham: Midnight in Chernobyl

The most comprehensive account of the nuclear disaster that marked the 20th century. Placed in a socio-historical context, the book offers an insight not only into the course of events, but also the way in which the socio-political relations of the then Soviet Union influenced its origin and consequences. Early in the morning of April 26, 1986, the fourth reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded and caused one of the biggest disasters of the 20th century. In the thirty years since that event, Chernobyl has become the world's collective nightmare: synonymous with the ghostly horrors of radiation poisoning, dangerous technology out of control, ecological fragility, and all that can happen when a country endangers not only its own citizens, but all of humanity. But the real story of the crash, shrouded in secrecy, propaganda and misinformation from the beginning, has long been controversial. Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews conducted over more than a decade, as well as letters, unpublished memoirs and recently declassified archival documents, Adam Higginbotham brings to life the world's greatest nuclear disaster through the eyes of those who witnessed it firsthand. Written in a style that intertwines investigative journalism, a scientific approach and a narrative worthy of a top thriller writer, the book guarantees reading pleasure for a wide range of readers. "A great, fascinating and terrifying read." - The New York Times "This is a story of hubris and failed ambition, centered on Communist Party bosses and hapless engineers, victims and villains, and blunders and cover-ups." - The Guardian "Higginbotham's conscientiously written book describes a chain of events that at times seems more improbable than fiction. The book is more than a suspenseful story and analyzes everything that happened to the reactor in great detail as it also offers contextual insights into the Soviet era that help explain how the accident could have happened in the first place... As is the case with the best non-fiction works, it offers the tension and intrigue of the best thrillers." - Wired "Ahead of us is a triumph of investigative reporting, excellent science writing, and thrilling storytelling. Adam Higginbotham gives us a glimpse of Armageddon, but delivers it with such narrative verve that it makes it a bit of fun. One thing's for sure: after reading this stunning, terrifying book, you'll never look at nuclear power the same way again." - Booklist