Chernobyl Roulette

by Serhii Plokhy
Chernobyl Roulette cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Politics and Current Affairs
Technical:
  • ID: 280
  • Added: 2025-09-07
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781324079422
  • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
  • Published: 2024-09-03
  • Formats: 30
  • Reviews: 4
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99 Hardback • £25.00

Chernobyl Roulette chronicles the tense and dangerous Russian occupation of the Chernobyl and Zaporizhia nuclear power plants during the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian personnel, held hostage and forced to work grueling shifts, faced life-or-death decisions balancing cooperation and resistance to prevent a catastrophic nuclear accident. Their bravery and resolve averted a new disaster, highlighting the peril when nuclear power intersects with warfare. Beyond the harrowing narrative of survival and defiance at Chernobyl, the book also explores the ongoing occupation of the Zaporizhia plant, Europe’s largest, and the looming threat of nuclear terrorism. Historian Serhii Plokhy weaves together the legacy of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster with current geopolitical conflicts, sounding an urgent alarm about the vulnerability of nuclear sites worldwide in times of war. With 440 nuclear sites globally, the story serves as a sobering glimpse into the future risks humanity faces.

Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
harrowing 4.50

Chernobyl Roulette by Serhii Plokhy offers a unique perspective on the Chernobyl disaster, focusing on the Soviet occupation and its aftermath. The book provides a detailed and harrowing account of the events, highlighting the human cost and the political context.

Chernobyl Roulette by Serhii Plokhy is an occupation story like no other. It delves into the Chernobyl disaster from a unique angle, focusing on the Soviet occupation and its impact on the region. The book provides a detailed and harrowing account of the events, highlighting the human cost and the political context. Plokhy's narrative is compelling and well-researched, offering a fresh perspective on a well-known tragedy. The book is a must-read for those interested in history, politics, and the consequences of nuclear disasters. They found the book to be both informative and thought-provoking, shedding light on the often-overlooked aspects of the Chernobyl disaster.

Quick quotes

    An occupation story like no other

    The book provides a detailed and harrowing account of the events

    Plokhy's narrative is compelling and well-researched

kirkusreviews.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
harrowing 4.50

Chernobyl Roulette provides a comprehensive and chilling account of the Chernobyl disaster, highlighting the human cost and the systemic failures that led to the catastrophe. The book is praised for its thorough research and engaging narrative, making it a must-read for those interested in history and nuclear safety.

Chernobyl Roulette delves deep into the events surrounding the Chernobyl disaster, offering a detailed and harrowing narrative that underscores the human tragedy and the institutional negligence that contributed to the accident. The book is lauded for its meticulous research and compelling storytelling, which brings to life the personal stories of those affected. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of nuclear power and the importance of safety measures. The author's ability to weave together technical details with human interest makes the book both informative and emotionally resonant. It is a powerful read that will leave a lasting impact on anyone who picks it up.

Quick quotes

    The book is a chilling reminder of the human cost of the Chernobyl disaster.

    It provides a comprehensive and engaging account of the events leading up to and following the catastrophe.

    The narrative is both informative and emotionally resonant.

ft.com · Unknown · 2024-09-09
tense 2.00

Chernobyl Roulette by Serhii Plokhy details the 2022 Russian occupation of the Chernobyl nuclear site, focusing on the tense standoff between Russian troops and Ukrainian technicians. The book highlights the technicians' bravery and the shifting power dynamics during the occupation.

Chernobyl Roulette by Serhii Plokhy provides a gripping account of the 2022 Russian occupation of the Chernobyl nuclear site. The book centers on the dramatic standoff between Russian troops and Ukrainian technicians, who were held hostage and forced to work under threat. The technicians' knowledge and bravery become crucial as they navigate the dangerous situation, ultimately gaining some control over their occupiers. The narrative unfolds like a psychological drama, with the Russians finding themselves trapped and dependent on the technicians they intended to control. The book offers a unique perspective on the war, highlighting small acts of resistance and the shifting power dynamics within the plant.

Quick quotes

    The Russians who had come feeling that they were in control now felt trapped, hostages in the place they had allegedly conquered.

    We are already emotionally burdened by being confined for such a long time in one workplace.

    The diesel generators were guzzling as much diesel as half the front near Kyiv.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2024-09-01
gripping 4.50

Chernobyl Roulette by Serhii Plokhy is a gripping account of the wartime chaos at Ukraine’s nuclear plant, highlighting the bravery and selflessness of the employees held hostage by Russian troops in 2022. The book serves as a wake-up call to the world about the dangers of nuclear terrorism and the need for international reform.

Chernobyl Roulette by Serhii Plokhy is a compelling narrative that chronicles the extraordinary events inside the Chornobyl nuclear power station during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The book focuses on the courage and resilience of the plant's employees, who risked their lives to maintain safety protocols under the threat of Russian occupation. Plokhy's account is reminiscent of the 1986 nuclear disaster, highlighting the bravery of those who have repeatedly faced such crises. The book also serves as a stark warning about the blurred lines between tactical nuclear weapons and civil nuclear facilities, calling for international reform to prevent future acts of nuclear terrorism. The narrative is both gripping and thought-provoking, shedding light on the human cost of war and the critical importance of nuclear safety.

Quick quotes

    The Ukrainian workers who put duty before personal survival narrowly averted another Chornobyl crisis.

    In Plokhy’s view, Moscow’s 2022 violent takeover of two atomic energy stations should serve as a “wake up call to the world”.

    The distinction between tactical nuclear weapons and civil nuclear facilities looks increasingly blurred, he says.

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