Review on the book “Nuclear heart of Russia” by V. N. Novoselov, Yu. F. Nosach, B. N. Entyakov

Abstract

The review contains the analysis of the content of the book devoted to the most important achievement
of domestic nuclear project of formation and going into operation in 1948 Enterprise No. 817
the first in nuclear industry branch in the South Urals complex later known throughout the country
and all over the world as “Mayak” chemical complex. Having used many declassified documentary
materials of central and departmental archives the authors describe the activity of this unique enterprise
uniting reactor, radio-chemical and chemical-metallurgical works as well as a number of complicated
auxiliaries. The task of primary state importance facing the employees of the enterprise to recover
arms plutonium for A-bombs production thus eliminating American nuclear monopoly is running all
through the book. This fundamental work reveals how under complicated post-war conditions the
leaders of the country and those of the newly-created atomic department along with the scientists and
specialists of the enterprise succeeded in creating and mastering of a new high-tech and advanced
technological production. Many dramatic events connected with the manufacturing of materials for
nuclear weapons production under the conditions of increased radiation hazard have been reflected
in the book under review.