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Chernobyl
Chernobyl: The History of a Nuclear Catastrophe | Serhii Plokhy
From a preeminent historian of Eastern Europe, the definitive history of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster On the morning of April 26, 1986, Europe witnessed the worst nuclear disaster in history: the explosion of a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Soviet Ukraine. Dozens died of radiation poisoning, fallout contaminated half the continent, and thousands fell ill. In Chernobyl, Serhii Plokhy draws on new sources to tell the dramatic stories of the firefighters, scientists, and soldiers who heroically extinguished the nuclear inferno. He lays bare the flaws of the Soviet nuclear industry, tracing the disaster to the authoritarian character of Communist party rule, the regime's control of scientific information, and its emphasis on economic development over all else. Today, the risk of another Chernobyl looms in the mismanagement of nuclear power in the developing world. A moving and definitive account, Chernobyl is also an urgent call to action.
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review
Mirazzles
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Pickpick

Wow. This book gave a comprehensive overview and analysis of the Chernobyl disaster, its impacts, causes, and the events that unfolded after. I highly recommend; however, I did have a hard time at points because it is quite heartbreaking.

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LeePeckover
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A change of pace from my usual fiction. #history #Chernobyl

Mitch Amazing book 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 4y
5 likes1 comment
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jenniferw88
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Pickpick

Non-fiction #doublespin #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

3rd book #nonfictionnovember @Clwojick @rsteve388

#ukraine #readingeurope2020 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

4 1/2 ⭐ A bit too scientific for me, and it's hard to keep track of the names/different government departments.

Bookwormjillk I bailed on this a year or so ago, and have been trying to get up the fortitude to start again. 4y
Oryx I bailed on this too. It was good, fascinating, but agree that keeping track was hard. Watched the TV show instead (very lazy of me). 4y
Librarybelle I‘d have a hard time with the scientific aspects as well. It is an event I want to learn more about, though. 4y
BarbaraBB That is too bad, I read a very good and informative one about Chernobyl 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
71 likes5 comments
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jenniferw88
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#weeklyforecast @Cinfhen

Completed Thicker Than Water today
Finish Chernobyl
Continue Northanger & Confessions
Start Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Cinfhen Hi Jenny!!!! Glad to see somebody is reading!!! 4y
77 likes1 comment
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jenniferw88
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#bookreport week 7/11/20 @Cinfhen

Completed Shadow State
Continued Northanger Abbey
Started other 2

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jenniferw88
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Post 3 of 5.

This is what I have chosen for #bookspin and #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks - both cards in play!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
47 likes1 comment
review
Dietz123
Pickpick

This is an excellent historical account. The author strikes a nice balance of science and humanity. He also shows how the accident affected the world.

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Mitch
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Yeah - set a target for 52 books - and I read 78 - 150%. Doubt i'll squeeze another in before the end of 2019.. Lots of 5 * books this year - tagged one definitely makes it into the top 5 reads fo the year.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2019/13135604

Lynnsoprano Wow! I‘m impressed! 👏👏😄 5y
Eyelit Great job! 👏📚🎉 5y
Cupcake12 What an achievement 🌟 5y
See All 6 Comments
Lcsmcat 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
Scochrane26 Awesome! 5y
Kenyazero Nice! 5y
89 likes6 comments
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IReadThereforeIBlog
Pickpick

Serhii Plokhy is Professor of History at Harvard University and a specialist in Eastern Europe. In this by turns horrifying, moving and meticulously researched book (winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize in 2018 for non-fiction), he depicts the events surrounding the explosion of the No 4 reactor at Chernobyl on 26 April 1986 and the cover up and clear up that followed and explains how it contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

4 likes1 stack add
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Alisnazzy
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So I know I‘m not on here a lot anymore and I‘m sorry for that. Just an update on my life: yesterday I had to have all my bottom teeth removed due to a side effect of a med I took for a misdiagnosis of epilepsy. @Lynnsoprano has been amazing in taking care of me. So for now, I‘m cozy in bed with my books and LOTR. I‘m handling this better than I expected 💖

Ottergirl Big hugs. Sounds like you‘re going through some stuff x 5y
DaveGreen7777 Sorry you‘re going through all that! 😔 Hope you feel much better soon! 5y
cobwebmoth Sending healing thoughts and hugs. 5y
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llwheeler Hope you feel better soon! 5y
Beatlefan129 Take good care of yourself! 5y
LeahBergen Sending ❤️❤️❤️! 5y
BookmarkTavern That sounds awful! Hope you feel better soon! ❤️❤️ (edited) 5y
MicheleinPhilly YIKES! Take care! ❤️ 5y
BookNAround That sounds miserable but I‘m so glad your mom is taking good care of you. Hope you heal quickly. 5y
Librarybelle Hope you feel better soon! 5y
kspenmoll I am so sorry. Sounds miserable, take care!❤️ 5y
MrBook 😩🥺 *biiiiig hug* 5y
Librariana So very sorry you've had to go through something so painful 🥺 Wishing you swift recovery and sending lots of healing thoughts your way 💗 5y
BethM Thinking of you. 5y
rubyslippersreads Sending good thoughts. ❤️ 5y
ChasingOm Thinking about you today! 5y
Suet624 No! How horrid. I‘m so sorry to hear this. 5y
60 likes1 stack add17 comments
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Caroline2
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Pickpick

One of the best history books I have ever read! Devastating but utterly compelling with astonishing research and great historical context and just the right amount of personality to stop it being dry. This is going to stay with me a long time, it‘s a haunting read! 😔

Powered_By_Plants This is on my TBR after watching the Series , did you see it? Very disturbing 😣 5y
squirrelbrain I‘ve heard so many good things about this book.... 5y
Caroline2 @Powered_By_Plants YES! I had to know more after watching the series which barely scratches the surface to be honest and it takes a lot of liberties. I can see now why people were upset with the series but I loved it!! 👍🏻 5y
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Caroline2 @squirrelbrain it‘s very good but a harrowing read. I had to read other stuff in between. 😟 5y
Powered_By_Plants @Caroline2 thank you that‘s great to know! I will seek to find this sooner 💕 5y
DrexEdit I don't know if you've heard of the tagged book. Thought I would recommend as it's the best thing I've read on the topic so far. It's a powerful collection of first person stories from Chernobyl. 5y
Caroline2 @DrexEdit yes I‘ve read voices as well. Absolutely heart breaking!! 😢 5y
100 likes9 stack adds7 comments
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veritysalter
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Pickpick

A heartbreaking book about the disaster and how dangerous it is to put profit before humanity.

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veritysalter
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“Sacrificing themselves and others was the only way to bring the nuclear monster under control. The task came first. Counting people and lives was secondary” (page 218)

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Mitch
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This podcast - just 5 episodes - is a really great companion to the series. Peter Segal and the shows creator talk history and creative licence. Highly recommend it!

TheKidUpstairs I loved this series! Will have to check out the podcast, thanks for the rec 5y
Oryx Thanks for the recommendation 5y
kspenmoll Thanks for recommendation. Series was great. 5y
Amihesam Great story 👌🏻 5y
Mitch @TheKidUpstairs @Oryx @kspenmoll I loved the series and this was a neat way to find out more! 5y
69 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Vivlio_Gnosi
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Adding this #Nonfiction #historical account to my #TBR stack thanks to @Caroline2

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Caroline2
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This book is full of #loathsomeliars 🤬 #abcaugust. It‘s a brilliant book though and superbly researched.

Eggs Great choice 📚 5y
Booktastic I have not read this book but I had the same reaction to the HBO series. No one telling the truth. 5y
79 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Caroline2
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Thank you so much @Lizpixie for recommending this book! I am LOVING it!! I highly recommend it for anyone wanting more detail and background history after watching the mini series. 👍🏻

Lizpixie You‘re welcome! I also recommend this one, it has more of the science & political background of the disaster & reads just as easy. 5y
Caroline2 @Lizpixie I‘ve added it to the tbr list! 😉 5y
81 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Lizpixie
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Pickpick

This was both an absorbing read and a terrifying one. I was 15yrs old when Chernobyl happened & vividly remember the atmosphere of horror at the time, a feeling that I‘d say has stayed with everyone old enough to remember it. This was not only a highly detailed account but also a very readable one without that feeling of academia a lot of science heavy books have. Highly recommend 5⭐️ #NonFiction2019 #SomethingWithScience #Pop19 #MakesYouNostalgic

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘ll look for that one! Stacked! 5y
85 likes9 stack adds1 comment
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Alisnazzy
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Anyone hazard a guess which HBO miniseries I just finished and am so intrigued to learn more about? 🤔🤔🤔 #GetThoseLibraryHoldsIn

Moray_Reads Voices from Chernobyl is excellent 5y
MyNamesParadise I recently finished the HBO miniseries as well and have been interested in learning more! There‘s also a scary movie about it called Chernobyl Diaries that‘s an entertaining horror film if you like those (obviously fictional lol) 5y
Crazeedi Just FYI, I heard a scientist talk about that miniseries and said that some of what they put on there was not true, so it really isn't a documentary or all for real 5y
AlaMich I‘m currently reading Midnight in Chernobyl and enjoying it. I too watched the HBO doc and became obsessed. 😬 5y
64 likes4 comments
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rather_be_reading
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Anybody else watch this?? It was great.

danireads Yes! It was so good!! 5y
LibrarianRyan Did you listen to the pod cast as well. It helped expand the movie and fill in holes. 5y
calisoul615 It's was amazing! I binge watched it because I couldn't stop! 5y
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MKbookworm I‘ve heard such great things. I gave it queued to watch next after I finish stranger things. 5y
Woodsangel I actually just finished binging it on Monday! It was really good!! 5y
Velvetfur Oh gosh I've been obsessed with it, I binged it too @calisoul615 ! And the memes...... Not great, not terrible 😂 5y
frenky_muller Reading Midnight in Chernobyl and then planning to watch it. 5y
allureofbeauty I really want to watch it. 5y
KarouBlue It was fantastic! 5y
rather_be_reading @LibrarianRyan no bt thx for the idea!! def gonna check tht out! 5y
rather_be_reading @Velvetfur easily binged! 5y
rather_be_reading @frenky_muller i dnt think it disappoints 5y
allureofbeauty Did you listen to the podcast that goes with it? It was good too. 5y
71 likes3 stack adds19 comments
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Lizpixie
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I actually left the house today! Yay!!! Sitting down with an iced coffee & a great book after finally having my eyes tested. $600 later I have a new pair of glasses on the way😱Also found out the nerve in my left eye is thinning & the ducts that lubricate my eye aren‘t working so my corneas are suffering. Which means eye drops 5 times a day & hot compresses at night. But at least I left the house🚗🏠Hows your day been?

Soubhiville I‘m sorry you‘re going through that. I hope the drops bring you relief. 5y
Tove_Reads Oh no ☹️ Will those things help or can it get better or how does it work? 5y
tournevis I've been having eye problems, including nerve issues, since birth, it's not fun and a lot worse than more people imagine, even us readers. *hugs* 5y
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Cathythoughts ♥️👍🏻 5y
Lizpixie @Soubhiville thanks, me too! @Tove_Reads hopefully it‘ll help the symptoms, underlying problem is permanent though😔 @tournevis I feel you, going blind is one of my worst nightmares. *hugs* right back @Cathythoughts 🥰♥️ 5y
CarolynM Glad you could get out for a bit. Hope the eye treatments are effective 💕 5y
67 likes6 comments
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Lizpixie
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#BookMail Pt1 Kicking off my new books of the last fortnight is one that I‘ve already been hooked into reading. After watching the mini series on the disaster, I was stoked to see it was based on this book & knew I had to get my hands on it. I was 15yrs old when Chernobyl happened & I vividly remember the panic & feeling of impending doom of that time, having grown up with the Cold War I had horrific nightmares about nuclear disasters.☢️🛢💣

rockpools I have this on reserve at the library- think it‘s going to be a tough read! 5y
Lizpixie @RachelO watching the mini series brought back so many feelings from that time. I grew up near two facilities that were apparently on the USSR‘s list to destroy(a munitions factory & a signal relay station)so I was terrified of being bombed. I still can‘t read a lot of dystopia, especially ones that start with nuclear wars.🛰 5y
Crazeedi I heard a talk about that show, some of it was not accurate. I'm skeptical of the panic people connect with nuclear power. It is one of the only clean energies, imo 5y
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Lizpixie @Crazeedi enough of it was accurate believe me. Did you grow up with the Cold War? For people of my generation, nuclear energy will always be viewed with suspicion and a little bit of terror. 5y
Crazeedi @Lizpixie oh yes I did grow up in the Cold War. And you are correct about our generation . But I think many years from now, it'll be viewed differently. Yes we were very fearful for sure. That's why I was fascinated by this interview with a scientist who has studied nuclear power. I lived not that far from three mile island when that happened, a woman came and enrolled my 3 year old in a survey about effects. So I hear you 5y
CarolynM I'm with you Liz, but the younger generations see it differently. On a European trip a few years ago we unexpectedly, but literally, drove through a Soviet era nuclear power station in the Czech Republic. My husband and I completely freaked out in the front of the car while the teenagers in the back were completely relaxed and couldn't see the problem "It's a clean energy - no emissions" So I think @Crazeedi is right. 5y
51 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Mitch
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My reading has slowed this month! Seems I read more / faster during the winter. Im obviously a ‘tucked up under a blanket in front of the fire‘ kind of reader!

A stellar reading month - a 5🌟non fiction that was so tense & made me so angry / sad. Two 4🌟novels, one that felt like a warm comfort blanket and one that gave me hope for the future. And one 3🌟read - that‘s had such great food descriptions that I was perpetually hungry whilst reading!

Powered_By_Plants Just watched the Chernobyl series, did you see it? It was a disturbing and unbelievable watch , trying to get my head around that this actually happened ... I wonder if this was taken from the book 🤔 , will add to my stack thank you 💕 (edited) 5y
Mitch @Powered_By_Plants I read this book after watching the series. The book expands in time, before and after the event and is as disturbing yet engrossing as the TV mini series. 5y
Powered_By_Plants @Mitch thank you will defiantly give this a read then 👍 , I was hooked to the series and ever so grateful for all those who have their lives 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Sill a wonderful month! I also watched Chernobyl, then ordered this book straight away. 💖📖💖 5y
82 likes3 stack adds4 comments
review
Connster
Pickpick

An excellent explanation of the events of the Chernobyl disaster, from the reactor‘s inception to the modern day. Very detailed and not too scientific for the less well-versed in nuclear power, like me! A must read for anyone who‘s watched and enjoyed the HBO series.

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Connster
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Listening to Alexa read this while I make badges for LGBTQ+ Pride Week at school next week. Alan is ‘helping‘, which involves trying to knock all of my things off the table. Pretty chill day compared to how the last couple of weeks have panned out! 🏳️‍🌈

Clwojick What! Alexa will read to you!?! 😱 5y
Connster @Clwojick Yes! I only found out recently! You just say ‘Alexa, read Kindle‘ and she‘ll start where you left off on your book! So great! 😁 5y
Clwojick Maybe I need to get an Alexa than🤔 5y
Connster @Clwojick Yesss! I think they‘re reduced in price recently too! 😁 5y
12 likes4 comments
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Connster
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I‘ve just watched the TV series about Chernobyl and found it really interesting, so I‘ve just downloaded the book. Looks like a good read so far!

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Mitch
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Pickpick

Wow - this book was so well written. Plokhy leads us through the disaster, the politics the social & economic landscape, he gives us the ecological impact & the future scenarios we should be worried for. It's an amazingly book - I wish it were fiction, sadly it's not. It's simultaneously chilling, frustrating, immensely scarily and tremendously sad. A brilliant read, if that can said about something so tragic.

Connster I‘ve just watched the dramatisation of Chernobyl and have been really into it...I didn‘t think to read about it too though! Thanks for posting, you‘ve just inspired me to buy and start this one 👍 5y
AmyG The HBO show is excellent. 5y
Christine Thanks for the review! I might think I‘d had enough of Chernobyl after watching the show and recently reading Midnight in Chernobyl, but apparently not because stacking this for sure. Just such a riveting story with many lessons our leaders still need to learn. 5y
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Mitch @Connster we did the same... the mini series just got me asking so many questions I had to know more! 5y
Mitch @AmyG it really is, is t it. One of the best things I‘ve seen on TV for ages 5y
Mitch @Christine how did you find Midnight in Chernobyl? 5y
Connster @Mitch Me too!! 5y
Christine I thought it was great. Journalistic but with a good narrative. Taught me a lot about how the disaster was shaped by - and then went on to shape - global politics. 5y
Mitch @Christine 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
101 likes9 stack adds9 comments
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Mitch
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Monday night....👍🏼

catebutler Perfect evening plans! Love your socks!! 🧦 5y
CrowCAH Cute socks 🧦 5y
wanderinglynn What a fun bookmark! Enjoy your evening! 💜 5y
See All 7 Comments
Cathythoughts Cosy 💛💛💛 5y
Ruthiella Bookish paraphernalia IS AWESOME 😀 5y
Mitch @catebutler thank you xx 5y
Mitch @Ruthiella I know! It‘s the best! 5y
94 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Mitch
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I have a potentially tricky work day today with some difficult meetings and potentially fierce conversations. I‘m convinced though my train reading will help put the day into perspective!

TrishB Hope all goes well, I‘m having a period of those at the moment, it‘s hard work. 5y
Mitch @TrishB oh yes! Hope your day goes ok too 🙏 5y
Soubhiville I hope it‘s going well and turns out to be less stressful than expected. 5y
Mitch @Soubhiville Monday - ✔️ Let‘s see what Tuesday can bring! 5y
104 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Mitch
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Having just watched the HBO Miniseries - Chernobyl, I cant wait to get stuck into this book, to separate fact from fiction. The miniseries was excellent though and it brought to light so much I didn‘t know of something that I can remember happening when I was a kid. Horrifying.

Images from BBC

Beatlefan129 I watched it as well and thought it was fantastic. Hard to watch at times, but they brought it to life so well. 5y
Mitch @Beatlefan129 it was shot so well, it was chilling and gripping and heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time. Some of the best TV I‘ve seen in a long time 5y
LibrarianRyan HBO also has a pod cast to go along with the show that delves a bit more into the history and the changes they made for the series. 5y
See All 16 Comments
charl08 I watched the first one and haven't been brave enough to watch the rest. I really recommend 5y
Mitch @LibrarianRyan oh cool..I‘ll check that out 👍🏼 5y
charl08 ... cont but it is equally traumatic - Alexievich spent years interviewing people who lived through it, and it's in their words. 5y
Mitch @charl08 stacked! 5y
brittanythebookdragon The Eastern Border Podcast has an excellent episode on Chernobyl. He has an excellent podcast on all things Soviet Russia having been born and raised in Latvia. 5y
Mitch @brittanythebookdragon looks interesting. I was in Lithuania a few years ago in a town where the power station had been closed ( as a result on joining the EU and safety law difference) and some of the landscape was so reminiscent of that trip. 5y
LazyDays Oh, I've beem waiting to watch this. Glad you enjoyed. 5y
Fridameetslucy I will never forget the film crew who went into Chernobyl immediately after the disaster. They showed their film at the Margaret Meade festival in nyc . Their was silence after it was over. We were standing for people that we knew were dying in front of us (edited) 5y
danireads It was such a good show! I finally watched the last episode last night. And now I want to read all of the books about it. It‘s such a horrible balance of fascinating and devastating. 5y
Mitch @Fridameetslucy that‘s heartbreaking 5y
Fridameetslucy @mitch im@planning a fall trip yo London / could you make some recommendations for me bookshops and other special nooks? 5y
Mitch Definitely! Drop me a line it‘s mitch(dot)k at mac(dot)com 5y
AlaMich Chernobyl was excellent. It was so well done, with amazing sets and great performances. I just bought 5y
66 likes2 stack adds16 comments
review
LeighDavis
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Pickpick

This book is so engrossing (once you get past the lead up to the disaster) that I bought the hardback and audiobook versions...and I never buy hardback. If you like history, and especially Soviet era history, this is a must read! #nonfiction #Soviet #Disaster

Chelleo Welcome to Litsy! Hope these #Litsytips by @RaimeyGallant http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: goo.gl/UrCpoU are helpful. #LitsyWelcomeWagon 5y
RaimeyGallant Welcome! 5y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🌸 5y
See All 7 Comments
wanderinglynn Welcome to Litsy! 5y
Lynnsoprano Welcome to our Litsy family! I‘ve heard great things about this book. To the TBR it goes 😄 5y
rather_be_reading welcome to litsy 📚☕📚 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 💖📖💖 5y
9 likes7 comments
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Red.Reads
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Although I'm still a proponent of nuclear power, even I had to take a moment to let this sink in. Less than 5%.
The cover-up, the lies, the generations ruined, it was all a tragedy, and continues to be so.

#Chernobyl #NonFiction

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AnneFindsJoy
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Pickpick

#nonfiction2019 : history A comprehensive look at the Chernobyl disaster - I felt shock, sadness, and anger at the government mishandling, ignorance, deceit, and lack of concern for the people. This book might feel too in-depth for some, and heavy on the politics, but in the epilogue Plokhy reminds us of how many nuclear plants are being built today all around the world and the risk for history to repeat itself. #scarystuff

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Scary and it sounds like a very important read. 6y
AnneFindsJoy @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thanks for running this challenge. I ❤️ non-fiction , fun way to choose books 🙌 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @AnneFindsJoy You are very welcome! And thanks for clueing me in to another book I need to read. 😉 6y
See All 12 Comments
Ericalambbrown Welcome to Litsy! Hope you love it here! 📚❤️😊 6y
AnneFindsJoy @Ericalambbrown Thanks! I‘m most definitely hooked! It seems to be cutting into my reading time though LOL 😂 6y
Ericalambbrown @AnneFindsJoy 😂Same! And it has for months! 🤣 6y
Smarkies Ahhhhhhh! Now am thinking if I should do this non fiction Bingo table. 🤣🤣🤣 6y
AnneFindsJoy @Smarkies 😂 Yes! Give in to the temptation 😈 🐵🙈🙉 6y
Smarkies @AnneFindsJoy giving in right now 🤣🤣 6y
jb72 I love nonfiction books! I may give this challenge a try. 6y
AnneFindsJoy @jb72 yay! Do it! We can share book ideas! 💡 6y
jb72 @AnneFindsJoy Sounds like a wonderful plan! 6y
24 likes1 stack add12 comments