On the Home Front: The Cold War Legacy of the Hanford Nuclear Site, Third Edition

This book provides a thorough baseline summary of our country’s nuclear legacy at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Gerber’s painstaking research through government primary sources provides the reader with a summary of the most pressing environmental radiological challenges facing the Columbia Basin in the decades to come. A must-read for Cold War buffs!

This book was initially published in 1992 as an academic volume largely drawn from declassified government documents relating to the construction, operation and maintenance of the Hanford site that were released by the Dept. of Energy (DOE) in the mid to late 1980's. The book is divided into sections addressing what was reported in the historical data concerning airborne contamination, river-born contamination and soil contamination.There is a wonderfully written epilogue to the 3rd edition (2006 printing) by the author. However, in the copy I purchased through Amazon (and another 3rd edition copy I found in a local used bookstore) PAGES 229 THROUGH 260 WERE MISSING--most likely a printing error since the binding was tight and the book was sold as "New". This is sad since the epilogue updates events at Hanford since the original volume was written and brings heart and warmth to an otherwise rigid and cold statistical analysis of the DOE data.

I worked at Hanford from 1973 to 2012 and from the history I have been a part of, this book is true to the facts. I appreciate the information conveyed in this book - it's a keeper. UPDATE: I've RETIRED and read the book again, more slowly. The amount of research contained in this book is amazing. The author must have incredible patience and editorial expertise. Knowing that it's totally factual (MANY references) and the linkages to the facts that the author has woven, makes the history even more alive. the book also covers other nuclear sites across the U.S. This history needs to be saved.

Michele Gerber's scholarly study of the Hanford Site in eastern Washington and its contribution to the Manhattan Project is fascinating and important information for the country to understand while going forward in dealing with the legacy of nuclear waste left behind. The accomplishments during this era were amazing and probably could not be duplicated today, although we hope our country could again rise to the challenge. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in nuclear history.

The product was high quality, long lasting, durable, attractive in appearance; and was delivered in a prompt and timely manner. Thank you! This book was very informative and well written.

Not too good. Too detailed

Gerber's history of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation is the culmination of years of research and based on thousands of declassified documents. It lays out the degredation of surface water, ground water, and air as plutonium production escalated in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, and the associated developments in environmental monitoring and research...though alas, not public information. The issue is secrecy, and by implication, the physical and psychic damage secrecy inflicts on a democracy. I admire more than anything Gerber's refusal to paint the actors in black and white. This is an important and beautifully written book. If only every American knew this story.

To much about problems, not much about history.

This was a fascinating read. The author has done a great job gathering historical information and presenting it in a riveting informative way. It has taught me a lot about the background to the early nuclear industry.