Under the Cloud: The Decades of Nuclear Testing

by Richard L. Miller

Book Overview

In a chilling documentary history of America's above-ground nuclear tests conducted during the 1950s and early 1960s, Miller takes on the subject and universalizes it, at the same time giving it the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0029216206
• ISBN13: 9780029216200
• Release Date: September 1986
• Publisher: Two-Sixty Press
• Length: 547 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Who'll stop the rain?

I'm too young to have ever seen a nuclear test, but wish I could have. The book covers all the things the US did with nuke test, and where the fallout traveled. John Wayne filmed the movie "The Conqueror" in Monument Valley, in part because the dust swirled dramatically when horse thundered through. Problem is, the dust was radioactive. Everyone connected to the movie died of cancer. Various chapters cover nuclear accidents, and their outcomes. GREAT book, be you for or against nuclear weaponry, you'll find a lot of information in here...

Decades of Nuclear testing

Excellent and thorough account of the nuclear testing era in America, the South Pacific and the Soviet Union. The book's focus is the open air testing in Nevada, and details of those tests and fallout trails in the 50s and 60s. The book is written in a style that makes it fascinating, not bogged down with complex scientific jargon. It sidesteps to describe what was going on in American culture at the time, in the cities that were virtually unaware they were downwind of deadly exposure. Author explains how it all occurred, why, and the tragic legacy it has left. Highly recommended for anyone. Should be of interest to all since as the book so accuruately reveals, we were all downwinders.

Great Book

Have read it cover to cover a few times. This is a book that should be read in schools. A shocking and mostly untold portion of American history. To read about the extent of continental US Nuclear testing and the often covered up dangers (By the AEC) is a real eye opener. Many of the stories are told from the perspective of eye witnesses and include other bits of timely and relevant history that help to capture the moment. Pages of diagrams detailing the fallout patterns of many tests show that fallout was often scattered across the entire country (instead of just endangering the NTS area). A "must read" for anyone with an open mind towards real facts and American History.

UNDER THE CLOUD

I remember in the 50's and 60's being taught to get under my desk in case of a nuclear blast and to stay inside in case of nuclear fallout. Naturally this would only come from Russia and even our small town in Wyoming had a fallout shelter, we thought this was great as our state had several ICBM silos. After reading this book I was once again educated on the perils of nuclear fallout, NOT ONLY WAS IT ALL OVER THE USA, IT WAS MEASURED BY OUR GOVERNMENT AND AT NO TIME WAS ANYONE WARNED TO STAY INSIDE OR TAKE ANY PRECAUTIONS REGUARDING, FOOD, WATER OR LIVESTOCK. This is a crime against humanity and the fallout is still with us in the extremely high cancer rates that follow the fallout maps. The most incredible thing about this book is that it really happened and the American people were and still are totally uninformed. How many RADS were you exposed to? Check it out!

Under the Cloud R.L. Miller

As one who has lived very close to this subject for nearly half a century, I find 'Under the Cloud' by R.L.Miller THE most exhaustive and comprehensive examination of our atmospheric nuclear testing program I have ever found. It's a facinating read, I've read it cover to cover, every single word, at least twice. The extensive fallout maps,the juxtaposing of 1950's social factors alongside the myriad of events (shots) provides the historian as well as the curious, with an insight not only to what we did,but why we did it. 'Under the Cloud' will make you feel like you're huddled in the trench 7000 yards from Ground Zero or having a cocktail in 'Doomtown' waiting for Apple II. If you only read one book on our Nuclear Testing Program, or can only have one book on this subject in your library,EVER, make sure it's 'Under the Cloud'. Order it now, but be advised,you're not going to put it down until the last page.