The fascinating science and history of radiation

More than ever before, radiation is a part of our modern daily lives. We own radiation-emitting phones, regularly get diagnostic x-rays, such as mammograms, and submit to full-body security scans at airports. We worry and debate about the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the safety of nuclear power plants. But how much do we really know about radiation? And what are its actual dangers? An accessible blend of narrative history and science, Strange Glow describes mankind's extraordinary, thorny relationship with radiation, including the hard-won lessons of how radiation helps and harms our health. Timothy Jorgensen explores how our knowledge of and experiences with radiation in the last century can lead us to smarter personal decisions about radiation exposures today.

Jorgensen introduces key figures in the story of radiation -- from Wilhelm Roentgen, the discoverer of x-rays, and pioneering radioactivity researchers Marie and Pierre Curie, to Thomas Edison and the victims of the recent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Tracing the most important events in the evolution of radiation, Jorgensen explains exactly what radiation is, how it produces certain health consequences, and how we can protect ourselves from harm. He also considers a range of practical scenarios such as the risks of radon in our basements, radiation levels in the fish we eat, questions about cell-phone use, and radiation's link to cancer. Jorgensen empowers us to make informed choices while offering a clearer understanding of broader societal issues.

Investigating radiation's benefits and risks, Strange Glow takes a remarkable look at how, for better or worse, radiation has transformed our society.
Show Less

• We started tracking this book on January 12, 2016.
• This book was £23.70 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 141 times in the past 3,466 days.
• The current price of this book is £11.69 last checked 12 hours ago.
• This book is at its lowest price in the past year.
• The lowest price to date was £7.13 last reached on April 27, 2019.
• This book has been £7.13 one time since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was £23.95 last reached on March 7, 2016.
• This book has been £23.95 one time since we started tracking it.

• Science & MathsBiological SciencesBiologyMolecular Biology
• Science & MathsPhysicsElectromagnetism
• Science & MathsHistory & Philosophy

• Publication Date: February 23, 2016
• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 495 Pages
• File Size: 55 KB