St. Catharines author Hans Tammemägi was recently featured in the local newspaper, The Standard, March 18 2002 issue. Bill Currie of the Standard Staff wrote an article titled “Niagara writer aims to take the mystery out of nuclear science” that an Eesti Elu reader forwarded to the editors here. Tammemägi’s fourth book, co-authored with Dave Jackson is “Unlocking the Atom: The Canadian Book on Nuclear Technology.”
The Canadian Book on Nuclear Technology Canada has developed a world-class reactor, medical isotope and food irradiation systems, and is an international leader in uranium mining. Until now there has been no book that describes these achievements, and explains radiation and nuclear technology from a Canadian perspective. Unlocking the Atom puts things right. Unlocking the Atom gives an introduction to radiation, both natural and man-made, and covers the complete nuclear spectrum including power reactors, safety, nuclear waste, medicine, uranium, fusion, industrial and research applications. This material is presented from a Canadian viewpoint, although it is placed in a global perspective. Unlocking the Atom is illustrated with nearly 80 figures and photos with profiles of ten Canadian nuclear pioneers.
Controversy surrounds the nuclear industry: The public feels that there is no solution to nuclear waste disposal; everyone worries about another Chernobyl. They also worry that electricity shortages like California’s will become part of our future. The public is beginning to realize that perhaps nuclear power could help to solve the ominous climate change problem and a growing world energy shortage. There is a need for a book that explains these issues in an easy-to understand manner. Unlocking the Atom is written for the educated general public. It will also be a useful reference for schools and universities, who have no readily available Canadian resource.
Hans Tammemägi is a prize-winning author and columnist who has had a long association with Canada’s nuclear waste programs.
David Jackson after a career as a research scientist was Director of Canada’s National Fusion Program and Chairman of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s International Fusion Research Council. He is now Professor (adjunct) of Engineering Physics at McMaster University where he teaches nuclear engineering. He is also President of the Canadian Nuclear Society.
The authors worked on the book for five years, intending as Currie writes “ to fill a niche in nuclear education for the layperson who wants to learn more about nuclear power from a Canadian perspective.” Tammemägi told the Standard that he believes the book is a highly readable approach to helping people here comprehend what is often viewed, and presented, as a complex and emotional topic.
Tammemuagi believes that before their joint effort a book that explained nuclear science in a comprehensive, straightforward manner did not exist. The autghor points out Canada’s role as one of the leading nations on the global stage when it comes to the development of nuclear energy, technology and medical applications. Of course, being a leading world producer of uranium benefits the country.
The book as described begins with the discovery of radiation, followed by the significance of spliiting the atom and an overview of the infancy of the Canadian nuclear program. Canadian and global developments are given prominence, as well as accidents, waste problems and a focus on nuclear medicine. Recent developmets such as fusion and research efforts provide a glimpse into the future.
Tammemägi is quoted as stating that the “whole idea... is not to deal with nuclear {science} in isolation.” The hopes of the authors are to help people overcome their fear of nuclear energy.
Hans Tammemägi’s previous book, The Waste Crisis won the 2000 Niagara Book Prize.
The book can be ordered from the publisher, Oakhill Publishing House, 86 Riverview Blvd., St. Catharines Ontario. L2T 3M2
Telephone (905) 61-2732. Web-savvy
www.unlockingtheatom.ca The book is priced at $40, postage adds $4.00, and the government wants its GST cut of $2.80.
As Tammemägi states calmly, when people don’t understand something fright may result. The authors try to “present things in a calm and unemotional way so that people can draw their own conclusions.” As Currie concisely describes, “Unlocking the Atom” presents an unbiased view and is a valuable tool in the effort to demystify an often misunderstood form of valuable technology.
With thanks to Liisu Laas for sending the clipping to Estonian Life, TN
