The Radiance of France, new edition: Nuclear Power and National Identity after World War II (Inside Technology) Paperback – Illustrated, July 31, 2009

Of those countries that possess nuclear technology, we pretty much know in general terms how each acquired the technology. And many know that France is one of the countries that possess such technology, and yet, if you ask the average person how France acquired such technology, they probably won’t know. Wasn’t it some outgrowth of the work done in the US during WWII? That might be the most logical answer: France, as an ally, was somehow involved in the development of the bomb and the technique drifted over to France when the war was finished. In fact, many British scientists worked on both the theoretical and applied aspects of the Manhattan Project, and so it is logical that the UK would also have this technology, which, of course, they do.But in the case of France, this assumption is not quite correct. In what is an obvious omission in most of the history books covering France, hardly a mention is made of this subject. Hecht’s book answers this fascinating question with a fascinating story of how France got to the point where they were able to detonate nuclear weapons within test sites in Africa, and covers the topic in highly detailed, yet highly readable, prose. This is not a small book: it’s about three inches thick, and probably close to a fourth of it is all references. There are a few scattered illustrations, diagrams and photos, but the wealth of this book is in its written content which carries the story all the way through from start to end with tons of essential references.France, as one of the most technically advanced countries in the world, holds no mystery that it would possess such technology: anyone who knows what this country designs and builds will find this of no shock. The real surprise is just how the technology was acquired, and it’s a story you can’t reliably guess at: you need source information and explanations, and that’s exactly what this book provides. It’s a story as important as it is interesting, and one that few people know or, as I say, even think to ask. It’s readable without being dumbed down, and it’s technical and specific without being overwhelming. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in France and/or nuclear technology. Five Stars.