The Constructive Uses of Nuclear Explosives.

signed by teller

First edition, first printing, presentation copy signed by Edward Teller on the title, and humorously inscribed by his coauthor, UC Davis physicist Wilson Talley to an unnamed recipient: 'To err* is human - To forgive** divine, Wilson Talley. *you ** ahem - me'. Uncommon signed.

Though many Manhattan Project scientists felt deeply concerned or ambivalent about the weapons they invented, physicist Edward Teller (1908-2003) was a life-long booster of the technology. In addition to promoting arms build-up and spearheading the development of the hydrogen bomb, he sought out 'civilian' uses for nuclear explosions that would make the technology seem less threatening to the public. As part of Operation Plowshare, under the Atoms for Peace initiative, Teller recommended using nuclear weapons to open harbours and canals, for mining, geological and meterological research, and even highway construction. This volume covers all these applications and others, with significant background on the physics and mathematics of nuclear explosions.

First edition, first printing; 8vo; illustrations within the text, light spot affecting the margin of pages 14-20; original grey cloth, titles to spine and upper board in green and black, cloth lightly rubbed at the extremities, a very good copy in the rubbed jacket with several chips, some affecting the title, and some marks and creasing; 320 pp.