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

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.