The Atomic Times: My H-Bomb Year at the Pacific Proving Ground

This is an excellent book that in non-technical language gives the reader some insight into the relationships that existed on this sparse island, Eniwetok, among the members of joint task force 7 during operation red-wing. Since this reader has never served in the armed forces and had an absentee father from the age of nine, I never was able to experience life in the armed forces. This book clearly explains what living would have been like, what having friends would have meant both in a positive and negative sense, and some of the everyday challenges and obstacles that were faced by the military men in the Marshall Islands. In addition to these very valuable insights, the book provides a humor and optimistic point of view that makes light of some of the very difficult circumstances encountered. Besides having strong political implications for the future as to what can happen to all of us, as well as the system under which the armed forces continues to operate, the book gives us a insight into human behavior under these circumstances that is clearly profound. The book was read in two sittings and has not only been talked about in some of my psychology classes, as I try to convey real-life situations of psychological dilemmas, but has also been recommended to colleagues, peers, and friends. It is a must-read book that will have you internally racing!

I stayed up all night reading this book . It was a great job of putting characters with different personalities together with a story of our countrys Atomic research. It is hard to believe what our military master minds did to the day to day enlisted man. The whole testing of the bombs was unbelievable. It was unbelievable what the men on the island had to do.

Vic Pelletier, Nassau County, N.Y. I picked up THE ATOMIC TIMES because it looks like an interesting book and it is, but it's much more than that. I used to be an English teacher, and I was very impressed by Michael Harris' distinctive writing style, not like any other author I've ever read. In addition to the unique way he puts words together, the book also manages to be sad and hilarious at the same time - as a reader, I can't recall experiencing that before. The book also has a collection of memorable characters (especially the pompous and absurd Major Maxwell) and is a fascinating story about Operation Redwing - and reads just like a novel, complete with cliffhangers. I told my wife she would also love THE ATOMIC TIMES, but she was skeptical. She hates military books and she was sure she would read more about the H-bomb than she wants to know. She only agreed to read it when I suggested a bet - if she loved it, she'd take me out dinner. If not, it would be my treat. She made the reservation in her name when she was only half way through. I'm willing to bet other women will feel the same way. Not to mention men.

In the course of telling us the story of the madness of H-Bomb testing, the author introduces us to unforgettable characters and gives fascinating autobiographical insights with sometimes astounding candor. Humor and horror are present in appropriate proportions. One misadventure follows another as the military brass weaves and dodges, never quite letting the truth shine forth. One special piece of madness was the decision to issue protective goggles to the officers at the test site, but not to the enlisted men, for reasons that you would not believe unless you read it in the context of the full narrative. I strongly recommend this book to anyone with a penchant for exploring obscure corners of our history that do not necessarily reflect well on us.

This is a fine book worthy of an armchair historian's attention. And anyone wanting to know the inside story of how it really felt to be part of the most dangerous times in the history of mankind should pick this up. You would expect a book about atomic bomb testing and military life on a dull island to be dour, but it is anything but. With strange characters that surrounded Harris and side-splitting exchanges between them, and a Col. Klink-type character in the clueless Major, it is every bit as humorous as Catch-22. The absurdity of war is replaced by the absurdity of isolation and atomic bomb radiation deemed as harmless. It is a shame that people aren't exposed to this (no pun intended) book more, because everyone I've recommended it to has loved it. You will enjoy this amazing read.