An incredible journalistic account of the people, institutions, and technology that ended up producing the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Higginbotham shows considerable respect for the impressive Soviet scientific establishment and the dedicated exponents of its nuclear program. He also clearly demonstrates the devasting consequences of the Soviet Union's compartmentalization of information, its tendency to bury information about problems and accidents, and its rush to develop nuclear power. The book is truly impressive in its scope and detail. While I'm finding it hard to keep track of the expansive universe of people, institutions and events, that doesn't distract from my admiration for Higginbotham's impressive research.