Popova L.V., Director of the «Centre for Nuclear Ecology and Energy Policy» of the «Socio-Ecological Union»;
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…The book was written with a rare objectivity for modern journalism, with the desire not so much to draw attention to the sensation, as to establish the true state of affairs and determine the optimal directions for the rehabilitation of affected people and territories.
Gus’kova A.K., Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences;
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…The book is the most complete collection of information on the history and current state of the «Mayak» Сombine known to the public today.
Forofontov I.V., Coordinator of the Nuclear Campaign of the «Greenpeace Russia»;
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…I read with great interest Vladislav Larin’s new book about the «Mayak» Combine, written with deep knowledge of the widest range of problems of the plant and the nuclear industry as a whole. Undoubtedly, she reveals new pages in the history of the company and talks about modern problems that are insufficiently covered in the press.
In presenting extremely difficult problems, the author managed to maintain an objective view and an open mind, which deserves the highest praise. The book will be interesting both for young people coming to work at the «Mayak» plant and for veterans of the nuclear industry. I am sure that it will be interesting for activists of environmental organizations as well.
Rovny S.I., Candidate of Chemical Sciences (PhD),
Head of CPL-ONIS for «Mayak»;
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…Having reached the phrase «…The recultivation of territories contaminated with radioactivity makes it unprofitable from an economic point of view to further develop the nuclear industry at the current level of technology development…» I stopped when I realized that a harsh verdict had been written on the entire nuclear fuel cycle. I fundamentally disagree with this position of the author, but it is difficult not to recognize his conscientiousness in working with a very diverse factual material. It is also attracted by the free language in which this material is presented, which is quite difficult for non-specialists to understand.
In general, if we put aside the difference of positions in the perception of the prospects for the development of the nuclear industry, it should be noted that the prepared book is very important at the present time. The author not only presents facts known to specialists and described in literary sources in accessible language, but also actively works with various groups of people involved in the problems of the «Mayak» both during the formation and development of the nuclear industry and at the present time. This is very important because there are fewer and fewer people who are able to tell about real events, and the lack of specific information causes speculation and rumors. The facts given in the book, which were practically unknown before, about local accidents at the «Mayak», about the current state of affairs at the enterprise and in the Ozersk district, about the activity of veterans in defending their rights, and much more, are interesting.