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Reader asked this question about Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster:
Two books on this topic were released within days of each other: Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham and Chernobyl by Serhii Plokhy. Has anyone read both or seen a review where both are discussed? I’m wondering if I just read one which should it be?
Stian I've read both now (finished Midnight yesterday), and while I liked both I prefer Higginbotham.
Part of the reason for this is the balance; I thought P…moreI've read both now (finished Midnight yesterday), and while I liked both I prefer Higginbotham.
Part of the reason for this is the balance; I thought Plokhy spent too much space/time on Ukrainian intellectuals/writers reaction to the accident and too little on the cleanup and containment of the exclusion zone(barely covered by Plokhy). While I can see that the intellectual angle lead to political changes, and isn't unimportant, weighed up against the containment efforts...I think that warrants more attention on overall (I almost skipped the last parts of Plokhy's book).
And, Higginbotham has more extensive sources and bibliography (almost exhaustive). Also interesting, Higginbotham and Plokhy portray Chernobyl manager Bryukhanov quite differently IMO.
So, while I enjoyed both, if I would have to recommend one, I'd go for Higginbotham, which I found more balanced, ultimately more readable and better sourced.(less)
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Midnight in Chernobyl
by Adam Higginbotham (Goodreads Author)
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