In ten chapters comprising 90 pages of material, this text provides clearly articulated facts and conclusions. The anticipated reader should have some knowledge of physics and an interest in understanding the fundamental challenge that nuclear power poses. Early chapters deal with nuclear fission and energy production by commercial power plants. The discussion of radiation effects evolves from background radiation and its observed variation to effects from acute high-level exposures. Radiation levels are quantified relative to background - a technique that should enjoy much wider usage.
Carbon presents the critical issues and controversies which pervade the field.
Correctly Carbon notes that at near background levels, radiation effects, if observable at all, are small and as yet undetected. The final section of this chapter deals with radiation phobia, especially that associated with the Chernobyl reactor disaster. Again, Carbon notes that the reactions of the media and some scientists are not consistent with observed and anticipated effects. Later chapters discuss power plant safety, high-level waste, and diversion of fissile material. As such they serve to describe the principle issues and contrast them with other commonly encountered and well-accepted risks.