The author has creatively reworked a huge number of documents and primary sources, and as a result, the reader has the opportunity to touch on the difficult history of the formation and development of the Russian nuclear industry, its current problems.

By emphasizing and evaluating people’s actions in very difficult situations, the author never loses respect for them and their cause.

Today, when we see many examples of an amateurish and politicized approach to the environmental problems of nuclear activities, it is worth noting the desire of the author of the book to search for real, reliable and objective facts. The book «The „Mayak“ Combine – a problem for the ages» was written by a real ecologist.

Shidlovsky V.V., Candidate of Technical Sciences (PhD),

Head of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Department «Ministry of Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation»;

***

…I read Vladislav Larin’s new book with great pleasure. It is the most comprehensive reference book on a wide range of problems of the «Mayak» Combine and the nuclear industry in general, written on the basis of material collected over the years of work on this topic. At the same time, it can serve as a textbook for students of relevant specialties.

I know that many experts dealing with the problems of nuclear non-proliferation and the socio-environmental aspects of the nuclear military-industrial complex will want to purchase this book.

I would especially like to note the undoubted literary and journalistic merits of the book. The author not only managed to establish contacts with people from various walks of life, but also in a fascinating way to tell the stories of those who sacrificed their lives and health for the sake of an idea more than half a century ago, the consequences of which we can only now assess.

Popova L.V., Director of the «Centre for Nuclear Ecology and Energy Policy» of the «Socio-Ecological Union»;

***

…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;

***

…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»;

***

…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»;

***

…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.