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Title: Wormwood Forest: A Natural History of Chernobyl
ISBN: 0309094305
Author:
Mary Mycio
Publicate Date: 2005-09-09
Publish: 2005-09-09
List Price: $27.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.0
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $15.95
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $11.55
Amazon Merchant Price: $20.40
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Fascinating book that should be required for biology classes!
I came across this book when I made friends with someone from the Ukraine... the book grew and grew on me as I read it; I did not realize until towards the end that the author had deftly taken us through the nuclear accident at Chernobyl, and then through a gestalt of the land and people. (I like the casual way she would check her radiation meter to see how much radiation she was getting at a given pond, bog or town). So we kind of weave our way through the history, then the air, plants, ground, water,animals, people, and towns affected by Chernobyl. There's a lot of science but Mary Mycio makes you feel like, hey, you too understand all the bits and pieces about leftover radiation. So two things happen as you read the book; you feel like are in the car with her and her guides. And then to you see how nature has come back in an awesome way and taken over what is still a nuclear wasteland.(The wildlife has thrived and rebounded since people are gone from their radioactive world). Amazing book; all science majors should read this!
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2: Informative, Entertaining, Well-Written
This book works on several levels. The initial premise is that the Chenobyl disaster did not create a barren wasteland, as we might have anticipated. Rather, the "Zone of Alienation", from which nearly all humans have been removed, has become a flourishing nature preserve. Working from that point, the author explores the disaster and its consequences from a number of perspectives. There is a discussion of the accident itself, of the initial efforts to deal with it, and then with the long term effects, not only upon the plants and animals of the Zone, but also upon people - who continue to work and even live inside the Zone.
The writing is clear, perhaps due to Ms. Mycio's journalistic background. It is also very engaging, because she is intensely interested in the subject, and shares the reasons for her interest with the reader. For those of us who will never have the opportunity to visit the Zone, this book is really the next best thing.
The author has a website which makes a terrific supplement to the book, with generous photo galleries organized according in parallel to the book: www.chernobyl.in.ua
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3: Disappointed.
The author's lackluster story-telling left me dizzy. There was no glue to hold together what should have been a phenomenal story---especially considering her background. And the attempt at explaining the math, physics, chemistry, and nuclear science was inept at best.
A shame.
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4: A fascinating tale of life in the forbidden zone
Displaying remarkable courage, Mary Mycio set out to examine what has become of that forbidden, virtually unpeopled realm around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, one of the greatest ecological catastrophes of modern times. Her findings are surprising and intriguing, and will keep readers turning pages at night. A fascinating tale!
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5: Out of Nuclear Ashes, springs hope
There is a popular song in Ukrainian Folk culture, "Two Colors". Black, that is sadness and Red that is joy. These two colors often are used in the famous Ukrainian Embroidered shirts and blouses. My reading of Mary Mycio's fabulous book, "Wormwood Forest" reminded me of this song. There is so much pain in this book, yet there is joy at coming to know some truths about a modern day cover-up. Mycio writes about complicated technical things regarding nuclear energy and the horrible accident in Chernobyl, Ukraine in such away that you don't need to have a scientific background to understand the picture. Yet, those with a scientific background will find this book informative. Want to find out what happened at Chernobyl, and what's happening now - then read this book!
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