The Greatest Power on Earth

Résumé du livre

The international interplay of science, politics, and technology in the discovery and development of nuclear fission is traced from the first breakthrough on the structure of the atom after World War I to the present. The overall chronology reveals the sequence of multinational developments in the race to advance nuclear research in Britain, France, Russia, and Germany that was preempted by the US and the Manhattan Project. Communications problems, conflicts between national interests and Allied objectives, private industry's ambitions and government's priorities, and personality conflicts at high levels are reported. The narrative continues through the post-World War II period as biological dangers were confirmed, the anti-nuclear movement gathered force, and the Cold War arms race intensified. The story concludes with an exploration of peaceful uses of nuclear power and the Three Mile Island accident debate.