J. Samuel Walker
Encyclopedia
J. Samuel Walker is an American historian and book author based in Maryland. Although not the subject of any widely known biography, he is notable for his widely recognized contribution to the enduring historical record in his specific field of study. His particular focus is on the nuclear age, both weaponry and atomic energy. Several of his books have earned broad based critical acclaim and advanced novel viewpoints. Despite affiliation with government and the nuclear industry, he is cited by the peace movement
and parties who are highly critical of nuclear energy.
in the mid-seventies but was hired by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) in June, 1979, working under the chief historian, George T. Mazuzan. Walker was able to write in a lucid manner applauded in popular science press.
Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1997. ix + 142 pp. ISBN 978-0-8078-2361-3.
Roger Chapman, writing in Bowling Green's university press, characterized the book on the atomic bombing of Japan as "a brave attempt to bridge two diametrically opposed positions" about whether the bombings were necessary, justified or humane. David Hendrickson, writing in Foreign Affairs
, stated that Walker's position was "that some officials saw diplomatic benefits 'vis-a-vis' the Soviets from the use of the bomb but insists that such motivations were of decidedly secondary importance."
, Three Mile Island: A Nuclear Crisis in Historical Perspective (2004). According to his own account, Walker's work debunked the "grievous misconstructions [which] were portrayals of the bubble issue that were central features of at least two books that came out shortly after the accident (in 1982) and in three television programs..." Walker disputed the alleged imminence of an explosion, in order to defended the NRC and the nuclear industry from spiralling criticism which nevertheless continued to erode the popularity and economic vitality of the nuclear industry during that period of its history. A central point of his argument was that if the situation was as dangerous as previous writers contended, that Jimmy Carter
would not have been permitted to visit the TMI power plant.
In The Road to Yucca Mountain, Walker covers the U.S. government's controversial attempts to address the engineering and social issues associated with high-level radioactive waste repository (HLRWR) management and spent reactor fuel (SRF). He starts with the Manhattan Project
and works through the policy debate. In 1987, Yucca Mountain, Nevada emerged as the most likely candidate for a repository. He explicates the United States Atomic Energy Commission
's flop with its first attempt to build a HLRWR in a Kansas
salt mine. He addresses deep geological disposal
and surface storage of HLRW and SRF as well as fuel reprocessing.
The Organization of American Historians
awarded the book the 2010 Richard W. Leopold Prize
for historical work being done by historians outside academia.
and parties who are highly critical of nuclear energy.
Employment with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Walker was a history instructor at the University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
in the mid-seventies but was hired by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is an independent agency of the United States government that was established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 from the United States Atomic Energy Commission, and was first opened January 19, 1975...
(NRC) in June, 1979, working under the chief historian, George T. Mazuzan. Walker was able to write in a lucid manner applauded in popular science press.
Prompt and Utter Destruction
Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan.Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1997. ix + 142 pp. ISBN 978-0-8078-2361-3.
Roger Chapman, writing in Bowling Green's university press, characterized the book on the atomic bombing of Japan as "a brave attempt to bridge two diametrically opposed positions" about whether the bombings were necessary, justified or humane. David Hendrickson, writing in Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs is an American magazine and website on international relations and U.S. foreign policy published since 1922 by the Council on Foreign Relations six times annually...
, stated that Walker's position was "that some officials saw diplomatic benefits 'vis-a-vis' the Soviets from the use of the bomb but insists that such motivations were of decidedly secondary importance."
Three Mile Island
He also authored a comprehensive review of the Three Mile Island accidentThree Mile Island accident
The Three Mile Island accident was a core meltdown in Unit 2 of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania near Harrisburg, United States in 1979....
, Three Mile Island: A Nuclear Crisis in Historical Perspective (2004). According to his own account, Walker's work debunked the "grievous misconstructions [which] were portrayals of the bubble issue that were central features of at least two books that came out shortly after the accident (in 1982) and in three television programs..." Walker disputed the alleged imminence of an explosion, in order to defended the NRC and the nuclear industry from spiralling criticism which nevertheless continued to erode the popularity and economic vitality of the nuclear industry during that period of its history. A central point of his argument was that if the situation was as dangerous as previous writers contended, that Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
would not have been permitted to visit the TMI power plant.
The Road to Yucca Mountain
The Road to Yucca Mountain: The Development of Radioactive Waste Policy in the United States, University of California Press, 2009, Hardcover, 240 pages, ISBN 978-0-520-26045-0In The Road to Yucca Mountain, Walker covers the U.S. government's controversial attempts to address the engineering and social issues associated with high-level radioactive waste repository (HLRWR) management and spent reactor fuel (SRF). He starts with the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
and works through the policy debate. In 1987, Yucca Mountain, Nevada emerged as the most likely candidate for a repository. He explicates the United States Atomic Energy Commission
United States Atomic Energy Commission
The United States Atomic Energy Commission was an agency of the United States government established after World War II by Congress to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. President Harry S...
's flop with its first attempt to build a HLRWR in a Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
salt mine. He addresses deep geological disposal
Deep geological repository
A deep geological repository is a nuclear waste repository excavated deep within a stable geologic environment...
and surface storage of HLRW and SRF as well as fuel reprocessing.
The Organization of American Historians
Organization of American Historians
The Organization of American Historians , formerly known as the Mississippi Valley Historical Association, is the largest professional society dedicated to the teaching and study of American history. OAH's members in the U.S...
awarded the book the 2010 Richard W. Leopold Prize
Richard W. Leopold Prize
The Richard W. Leopold Prize is awarded biennially by the Organization of American Historians . Professor Leopold was President of the OAH in 1976-1977....
for historical work being done by historians outside academia.