This Atom Bomb in Me

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 12 February 2019
Publisher: Stanford University Press

This captivating book delves into the profound impact of American nuclear culture on the community of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a secret city during the Manhattan Project. As a key player in the enrichment of uranium for the bomb that devastated Hiroshima, Oak Ridge played a significant role in the nuclear production efforts of the Cold War. Even today, it remains the world's largest supplier of fissionable uranium.

The author, Lindsey A. Freeman, explores her family's connection to this remarkable city through a combination of personal memories, enigmatic photographs, and strange childhood toys. She sheds light on how Reagan-era politics and the nuclear obsession permeated the late twentieth century, leaving a lasting imprint on the community.

The book oscillates between tender and alarming, serving as a poignant reflection on the enduring legacy of the atomic past. Freeman employs a Geiger counter to examine the half-life of this past, as it continues to resonate in our contemporary era, marked by ongoing concerns about nuclear proliferation and safety.

Through her meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling, This Atom Bomb in Me offers a unique perspective on the intersection of history, culture, and the enduring power of the nuclear bomb. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex and often troubling implications of our nuclear past and present.

Weight: 198g
Dimension: 202 x 128 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503606890