Manual for Survival

A magisterial blend of historical research, investigative journalism and poetic reportage, Kate Brown sets out to uncover Chernobyl’s true medical and environmental effects … an awe-inspiring journey. * The Economist *This thrilling, frightening book tells the truth about the Chernobyl disaster … the most brilliant and essential book on Chernobyl since that of Nobel Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich. * The Irish Times *An astonishing unconventional history. * The Times *Brown’s page-turner skilfully weaves an original narrative on the long-term medical effects of the Chernobyl disaster… Her capacity to immerse herself and pick up on nuances brings these stories from factory workers, technicians, doctors and villagers alive. * Nature *Exemplary … Brown is an indomitable researcher – Luke Harding * Observer *Full of passion … [an] admirable uncovering of the hidden story behind Chernobyl. * The Guardian *Vital work, making a convincing case for the catastrophic long-term medical and ecological effects of the disaster – Tobie Mathew * Literary Review *A troubling book, passionately written and deeply researched … the book moves from science to thriller and realm of conspiracy… there is no doubt about Brown’s gift for vivid narrative. Her conclusion is chilling. * The Sunday Times *A humane book about the irreversible things a technological disaster does to people and landscapes. * Owen Hatherley, New Statesman, ‘Best Books of 2019’ *A magnificent monograph that stands out among the multiple books on Chernobyl simply because it tells us the truth - the whole unadulterated truth - about one of the worst disasters in history. As such, it may itself be regarded as a survival manual of sorts. And a guide to the future, too. * Engineering and Technology *

Kate Brown is a Distinguished Professor in the History of Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of four previous prize-wining books, including A Biography of No Place, which won the George Louis Beer Prize from the American Historical Association, Plutopia, which won the Dunning and Beveridge prizes from the American Historical Association and A Manual for Survival, which was a finalist for the 2020 NBCC Award. She currently plants her gardens in Cambridge, Massachusetts and in Vermont.