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  • Atomic Adventures

  • Secret Islands, Forgotten N-Rays, and Isotopic Murder - A Journey into the Wild World of Nuclear Science
  • By: James Mahaffey
  • Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright
  • Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (224 ratings)

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Atomic Adventures

By: James Mahaffey
Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright
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Summary

Whether you are a scientist or a poet, pro-nuclear energy or staunch opponent, conspiracy theorist or pragmatist, James Mahaffey's books have served to open up the world of nuclear science like never before. With clear explanations of some of the most complex scientific endeavors in history, Mahaffey's new book looks back at the atom's wild, secretive past and then toward its potentially bright future.

Mahaffey unearths lost reactors on far-flung Pacific islands and trees that were exposed to active fission that changed gender or bloomed in the dead of winter. He explains why we have nuclear submarines but not nuclear aircraft and why cold fusion doesn't exist. And who knew that radiation counting was once a fashionable trend?

Though parts of the nuclear history might seem like a fiction mash-up where cowboys somehow got a hold of a reactor, Mahaffey's vivid prose holds the listener in thrall of the infectious energy of scientific curiosity and ingenuity that may one day hold the key to solving our energy crisis or sending us to Mars.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 James Mahaffey (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
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What listeners say about Atomic Adventures

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  • Overall
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Really interesting and well delivered

Really good narration and well written piece. Definitely worth a listen.
Some amazing stories that are delivered in an amusing yet informative manner.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very Entertaining, full stop.

Entertainingly written, with what science needing an understanding well explained. The dry humour dropped in at times is worth a listen to alone. Full marks also goes to the narrator. He kept me fully engaged all the way through.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting information

It’s like a bag full of interesting facts, with a bit a loose structure attached to each of the stories. I enjoyed it and would recommend it for those who already know a lot about this topic.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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stuff I had no idea about!

the nice thing about this book is that it assumes you know more about nuclear physics than you probably do. it is not dumbed down at all and the better for it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Journey through the mysterious

I loved it. Good quality assurance written in an accessible manner with authority and credibility.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating dive into atomic, ufo, quantum mechanics and the history of the world in the 20th and 21st century

Really enjoyed the dive into history and the effect Physics and atomic ( not just The Bomb) has had on life today. Good explanations of atomic theory that doesn't leave you baffled. The narrator is easy to understand with good pace that keeps you engaged. Would recommend

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

I loved this audiobook, it was full of interest to me, very well written and narrated. I have to admit that I may be biased as I am a Radiochemist and I knew some of the characters who were featured.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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loved the book

Great to hear some new stories on this topic rather than the jaded old anecdotes we are usually treated to.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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very interesting and diverse

lots of different information and topics, new learnings, one of the best general atomic books

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interasting

The book contains several stories, some are amazing, others a bit dull, but overall, worth a read.

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