Strange Glow (ebook)

Argumento de Strange Glow (ebook)

"In this spirited, thorough investigation into radiation, molecular radiation biologist Jorgensen . . . delivers narrative science at its best, providing a propulsive story, each piece building on the next in a series of progressive revelations. . . . A seismic piece of scientific inquiry, top shelf in narrative style and illumination."--Kirkus, starred review

"Jorgensen walks readers through the history of humanity's interaction with radiation. . . . [Strange Glow] is a solid, accessible work, but perhaps its most beneficial aspect is that Jorgensen equips readers with enough knowledge to make their own risk assessments, whether it is of a potential medical diagnostic test or a particular consumer decision."--Publishers Weekly

"We need to talk about radiation, because although we like to think we have shed our primitive fears and superstitions, this is one topic that has so far proved resistant to the march of rationality. . . . The only antidote to irrational fear is knowledge, and Strange Glow imparts this in spades."--Peter Forbes, Independent

"[Strange Glow] is . . . the story of human interaction with radiation--beginning with the one type that we can see (light) and continuing through radio waves, atomic blasts, cellphones, radon, microwave ovens, luggage scanners, the Fukushima accident, and on and on. . . . Jorgensen avoids graphs and numbers, instead relying largely on entertaining--if alarming--anecdotes."--Nancy Szokan, Washington Post

"The discovery of radiation opened the way to the modern era and created one of humanity’s greatest moral challenges. In this lucid book, Timothy Jorgensen explains the mechanics of radiation, tells the stories of those who helped uncover it, and gives us a careful assessment of how it continues to influence people and society."--Tom Zoellner, author of Uranium: War, Energy, and the Rock That Shaped the World

"Strange Glow is an extremely well-written book about the history of radiation and its many benefits and risks. Starting with the discovery of x-rays, Timothy Jorgensen explores how each radiation breakthrough was achieved and how we are exposed to radiation, both natural and man-made, in our daily lives. This book contains everything we might want to know about radiation but were afraid to ask."--Jay Burreson, coauthor of Napoleon’s Buttons: How Seventeen Molecules Changed History

"A thoroughly readable book about an important subject. The sometimes bizarre, sometimes brilliant story of the discovery of radioactivity and its effects on living things is told in an enlightening and entertaining way. I found it surprisingly reassuring."--Penny Le Couteur, coauthor of Napoleon's Buttons: How Seventeen Molecules Changed History

"Strange Glow is an accessible book that presents a huge amount of information about radiation. It enables readers to make sound judgments about various kinds of radiation exposures, including the risks of living in areas affected by radioactive fallout. Useful to radiation experts and general audiences alike, the knowledge gathered here is enormous and full of insights."--Ohtsura Niwa, Fukushima Medical University

"Through stories and examples, rather than graphs and equations, this lucid book explains the discovery, benefits, and dangers of different forms of radiation, and it examines qualms about nuclear power, cancer treatment, possible radon in the basement, and extensive cell-phone use. Strange Glow is both a fine history and a deft elucidation of risk assessment."--David E. Nye, author of Technology Matters: Questions to Live With

"Jorgensen’s history is an engaging and entertaining attempt to make us feel more secure about the sea of radiation in which we live."--Kate Brown, author of Plutopia: Nuclear Families, Atom Cities, and the Great Soviet and American Plutonium Disasters

"This fascinating book is well written, entertaining, and informative. I don't know of another book that takes such a comprehensive look at radiation and it will enjoy a large and diverse readership."--William F. Morgan, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

"What I certainly did not expect was to get caught up in the stories of the scientists [in Strange Glow]. . . . Jorgensen has written a compelling book about the history of radiation. . . . [His] gift is that he make us care about the scientists."--Jacqueline Cutler, Newark Star-Ledger

"A long overdue and successful attempt to rationalise an emotional subject by telling its story in very human terms."--Dominic Lenton, Engineering & Technology

"This book can be enjoyed as a sort of scientific QI--a string of interesting facts you can’t wait to share with anyone who can be persuaded to listen. . . . Jorgensen proves that there’s no excuse for convoluted writing, however difficult the subject. His conversational style makes even the most complex equations seem attractive."--William Cook, The Spectator

"[U]nbiased, comprehensible information on radiation risk is hard to come by. Timothy J. Jorgensen's book Strange Glow: The Story of Radiation fills this gap, using history to explain how we encounter radiation and how it affects us. . . . Jorgensen is a good storyteller, with an eye for compelling details."--Angela Creager, Science

"Strange Glow is a cracking good read, filled with fascinating stories about the people behind the science and covering vastly more of that science than I anticipated, in an accessible style. . . . Jorgensen writes, 'If I have done my job well, readers of this book will learn a tremendous amount about radiation and will find this information useful in many practical ways.' He has, and they will."--John Gribbin, Literary Review

"Strange Glow . . . integrates detailed science and carefully illuminated medical statistics with the personal lives of scientists. . . . The book's goal--‘to present the facts about radiation as objectively and even-handedly as possible, leaving you to decide which aspects to fear’--is achieved with authority and style."--Andrew Robinson, Lancet

"Timothy Jorgensen is a scientist with a knack for narrative storytelling."--Ryan Stellabotte, Fordham News0PREFACE ix
1. Nuclear Jaguars 1
PART ONE: RADIATION 101: THE BASICS
2. Now You See It: Radiation Revealed 7
3. Seek and You Shall Find: Radioactivity Everywhere 38
4. Splitting Hairs: Atomic Particles and Nuclear Fission 51
PART TWO: THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF RADIATION
5. Painted into a Corner: Radiation and Occupational Illness 81
6. The Hippocratic Paradox: Radiation Cures Cancer 116
7. Location, Location, Location: Radiation Sickness 141
8. Snow Warning: Radioactive Fallout 164
9. After the Dust Settles: Measuring the Cancer Risk of Radiation 187
10. Breeding Season: Genetic Effects 206
11. Crystal Clear: The Target for Radiation Damage 234
PART THREE: WEIGHING THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF RADIATION
12. Silent Spring: Radon in Homes 275
13. A Tale of Two Cities: Diagnostic Radiography 293
14. Sorry, Wrong Number: Cell Phones 310
15. Hot Tuna: Radioactivity in Food 326
16. Blue Moon: Nuclear Power Plant Accidents 346
17. The Things They Carried: Geopolitical Radiation Threats 374
Epilogue: N-Rays 397
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 407
NOTES AND CITATIONS 411
BIBLIOGRAPHY 453
INDEX 465