N.U.K.E.E. - Softcover

Widener, Don

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0595131123 ISBN 13: 9780595131129

Publisher: iUniverse, 2001

Synopsis

Scientists have a depressing penchant for doing the possible rather than therational, leaving mankind with a continuing dilemma. What happens when technology slips its leash - when Frankenstein's monster climbs from his gurney and stalks the countryside?N.U.K.E.E. explores this notion. Nuclear power plants are catastrophes waiting to happpen. Such an accident is not a matter of if; it is a matter of when. In N.U.K.E.E., a big reactor in Southern California undergoes a core melt when damaged by a quake. It is the largest disaster in U.S. history - with the possibleexception of when Congress convenes.In a panic, Washington shuts down all nukes but hedges its bet by cranking upN.U.K.E.E. (Nuclear Universal Keystone of Enormous Energy), a gigantic experimental reactor - the first breeder-feeder. The plant breeds more plutonium (fuel)than it consumes, and dines on the surplus to grow ever more powerful.An impish genius programs N.U.K.E.E.'s two huge computers (Annie and Digby)with characteristics of a ten-dollar hooker and a Mafia hit man instead of MadameCurie and Einstein as called for in the specs. N.U.K.E.E. takes over, goes on a power binge and threatens to destroy the world unless global energy use staysahead of the plant's mammoth and expanding output.

About this title

About the Author:

Don Widener, former reporter/city editor/documentary producer, holds numeroushonors including three Emmys and the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia U. Broadcast Journalism Award. Among other books written by Widener is"Lemmon," the authorized biography of actor Jack Lemmon.

About this edition

• Publisher: iUniverse
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0595131123
• ISBN 13: 9780595131129
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 228