The final book in Elizabeth Tynan's groundbreaking trilogy on the history of British nuclear testing in Australia.
The Nuclear Archipelago tells the horrific story of a series of British atomic weapons tests conducted on the Monte Bello Islands in Western Australia in 1952 and 1956. Operations "Cyclone" and "Mosaic" were carried out in a rugged archipelago 100 kilometers off the Pilbara coast, and each of the three bombs spread nuclear fallout over vast distances across the country. One of these experiences,"Mosaic G2" in June 1956, the largest nuclear weapons test ever conducted in Australia, sparked panic at the time for fear of a nuclear accident. In both "Mosaic" experiments, the crew of a British ship were deliberately placed in the path of nuclear fallout. The islands' rich, biodiversity-rich natural environment was left polluted and has not been cleaned up since.
The book explores politics, secrecy and controversy, including the true nature of Mosaic G2 and its role in the secret development of the British hydrogen bomb.“A searing study of nuclear politics, atomic colonialism, and shameful cover-ups – a must-read.” -Peter Garrett
“This multi-volume work is undoubtedly one of the most important projects currently underway in the study of Australian history.” - Simon Catterson, *The Australian newspaper*
