The Curve of Binding Energy
first edition Softcover
(1975) · NY
by McPHEE, John
NY: Ballantine. (1975). The first Ballantine paperback edition. A lengthy profile of Theodore Taylor, a nuclear physicist who spent years working on an eventually-aborted project to develop a spaceship powered by exploding atomic bombs. In later years he became an expert in preventing the "diversion" of nuclear materials to help limit nuclear proliferation. McPhee's explication of the concepts of nuclear physics necessary to tell this story is remarkable. Tiny bump at mid spine; still fine. Unless otherwise noted, our first editions are first printings. First Edition. Softcover. Fine. (Inventory #: 020850)