Higher Power: One American Town's Turbulent Journey of Faith, Hope, and Nuclear Energy

The Chicago Tribune's Casey Bukro was given unrestricted access to the Zion nuclear power plant, allowing him to interview employees, witness high-risk maintenance procedures, and watch the radiation exposure counter on his dosimeter tick up. The book explores the history of Zion and questions and challenges surrounding nuclear power, making it a relevant read in the age of climate change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 10 August 2023
Publisher: Surrey Books,U.S.

Nuclear power, once seen as a promising solution to the world's energy crisis, faced significant challenges in the late twentieth century due to high-profile accidents and meltdowns. Plant workers, facing public opposition, became wary of reporters, limiting their access. However, one plant in Zion, Illinois, allowed unrestricted access to Casey Bukro, a journalist from the Chicago Tribune, who became one of the country's first environment reporters.

Bukro spent two years inside the Zion nuclear plant, conducting interviews, witnessing high-risk maintenance procedures, and monitoring his own radiation exposure. The book is preceded by a captivating history of Zion, including the story of John Alexander Dowie, a nineteenth-century faith healer who founded the city and left a lasting impact on its culture.

As climate change accelerates, the questions and challenges surrounding nuclear power become more pertinent. Higher Power delves into these issues and explores one American town's efforts to build a better society as a benchmark for national policy and decision-making. The book raises important questions about the promise and pitfalls of nuclear energy, the need to address past mistakes, and the potential role of nuclear power in shaping our energy future.

Through Bukro's reporting, readers gain a deep understanding of the complex dynamics at play within the Zion nuclear plant, including the challenges faced by plant workers, the safety protocols in place, and the impact of radiation exposure on the community. The book also sheds light on the broader societal implications of nuclear power, including the environmental and economic impacts, and the ethical considerations surrounding its development and use.

Higher Power is a thought-provoking and informative book that provides valuable insights into the complex world of nuclear power. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with this energy source, as well as the broader implications of energy policy and decision-making.

Weight: 688g
Dimension: 164 x 237 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781572843233