Atoms for Peace and War 1953-1961; Eisenhower and the Atomic Energy Commission

Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1989. Second Printing [stated]. Hardcover. Very good. xxix, [1], 696, [4] pages. Illustrations. Figures and Tables. Appendix 1 through Appendix 9. List of Abbreviations. Notes. Essay on Sources by Roger M. Anders. Index. Cover has slight wear and soiling. With a Foreword by Richard S. Kirkendall. This is one of the California studies in the history of science. This is the third volume of the official history of the Atomic Energy Commission. This work taps the writings of Eisenhower that had recently become available and thus adds to our understanding of his presidency. This book is not a narrow history of a government agency. Dealing with the AEC during the period when issued concerning nuclear weapons and nuclear power emerged as large public concerns, this volume ranges well beyond the Commission. Much of the work deals with Eisenhower. The authors offer support for the understanding of Eisenhower as a strong, active president, determined to supply leadership. This work illustrates other sides of the Eisenhower presidency. Compared with some other people of importance, Eisenhower was less fearful and more willing to compromise, but he did have a quite negative view of the Soviet Union and its intentions. The authors call attention to Eisenhower's Atoms for Peace program and a need to reduce dependence on imported oil.