Frenchman Flat: The Rise and Fall of Atomic Bombs
Frenchman Flat: The Rise and Fall of Atomic Bombs by Jon Else follows the story of the 1957 Priscilla test and uses it to trace the US nuclear enterprise from the 1940s to the suspension of US and Soviet nuclear testing in 1992. The book brings together the science and politics of weapons development with accounts of people affected by testing and efforts to control arms.
At a glance
- Uses the 37-kiloton Priscilla bomb, exploded at Frenchman Flat in 1957, as a thread through the history of US nuclear weapons.
- Covers weapons science, arms-control efforts and the human and environmental consequences of testing.
- Draws on accounts from scientists, politicians, doctors, test-site workers, ranchers and families downwind of test sites.
Pros and cons
Pros
- The central bomb provides a focused route into a wide history spanning several decades and multiple perspectives.
- Connects nuclear physics and weapons development with political decisions and lived consequences.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Harvard University Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 25 Sept. 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 464 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0674300351 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0674300354 |
| Dimensions | 15.56 x 3.33 x 23.5 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 890 g |
What to know before buying
- The publisher describes a broad narrative covering events from the 1940s through 1992. Readers seeking a narrowly focused account of the single Priscilla test may find the scope wider than the title alone suggests.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Cold War history, nuclear weapons and arms control.
- Those looking for a history that includes testimony from people affected by nuclear testing as well as scientific and political context.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a brief overview or a book confined to the 1957 Frenchman Flat test.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
100% 100% - 4 stars
0% 0% - 3 stars
0% 0% - 2 stars
0% 0% - 1 star
0% 0%
The supplied evidence contains only aggregate ratings, with a very small sample. That is a limited positive signal, but it does not explain what readers valued or establish how representative their views are. No specific praise or criticism can be attributed from the rating figures alone.
Frequently asked questions
What is Frenchman Flat about?
It follows the origins and consequences of nuclear weapons through the story of the Priscilla test at Frenchman Flat in 1957, within a wider account of the US nuclear enterprise.
What period does the book cover?
The supplied description places its story from the 1940s to the suspension of US and Soviet nuclear testing in 1992.
Does the book cover the effects of nuclear testing on people?
Yes. The description includes testimony from test-site workers, ranchers and families downwind of test sites, alongside scientists, doctors and policymakers.
Alternative options
The IMF and the European Debt Crisis
£22.00
A Quest for God and Spices
£15.71
The History of the Cold War: Arms, Spies, and the Space Race, 1945–1991 (The Past That Built the Present)
£15.00
The Theory of Everything in Politics: The Non-Newtonian Model — How Systems Shift, Adapt, and Collapse (Vol. 1)
£24.99
The Country Between Stations: A British Literary Novel of Railways, History, and Brexit
£2.49
Global Hegemony A Strategic Illusion: NATO Expansion, Nuclear Promises & the Death of Strategic Trust
£12.99
Law of Attraction: The Art of Quantum Manifestation and Extrasensory Powers.: 30-Day Practical Journey to Awaken Your Psychic Powers and Create the Reality You Dream of.
£14.01
Master How To Talk To Anyone: A Step-by-Step Guide to Transform Communication Skills, Overcome Social Fears, Boost Self-Assurance & Strengthen Connections With Ease
£16.19
Data for a Greener World: A Guide for Practitioners and Policymakers
£25.00
Applied Theoretical Organic Chemistry
£38.97
Nuclear War: The Greatest Risk To Humanity
£9.60
