Book Review.
The dangers of nuclear power
Sunday, May 9, 2010 By Kerry Smith
Everyone Can be a Hero
By J. R. Birch
Inside Outsider Publications, 2010, 293 pages
In The Iron Heel, Jack London used a narrative from the future to present the dystopian
and utopian possibilities that existed in his time. Everyone Can be a Hero, a new
independently published book for older children and teenagers, uses a similar device.
It is set in England in 2040 in a world blighted by a nuclear accident and running
low on resources. While warning of the dangers of Britains nuclear energy generation
and waste processing industries it also explores the possibilities of a society built
by the people themselves, including renewable energy. It has a lot about growing
organic food in cities — even referencing Cuba.
The book is available as an e-book and in a printed edition. The printed version
is a fabulous example of what you can do with recycling. The paper is 100% recycled,
using vegetable-based inks. The books are hand-strung and the part-recycled cardboard
covers are individually finished.
While the books sound factual basis relates to the British nuclear industry, Australias
role in supplying much of the worlds uranium makes it equally relevant to young people
in this country.
Australian anti-nuclear campaigner Dr Helen Caldicott endorsed the book saying, I
think that it is easily accessible for the teenage group who need education about
the dangers of nuclear power and waste.
From GLW issue 836 Link:http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/44053
Green Left Weekly.
Where The Fox Goes