
Going Nuclear
How the Atom Will Save the Planet
Tim Gregory(Author)
Vintage (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 11. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-1-5299-2932-4 (ISBN)
Description
What if climate change isn't an environmental challenge, but an energy challenge?
'Fascinating' JAMES O'BRIEN
'Thrilling...vividly written, filled with fascinating facts, and inspiring' STEVEN PINKER
Sunday Times, i Paper and Nature Book of the Year
This visionary book urges us to rethink the path to net zero, arguing that the solution to climate change lies not simply in replacing fossil fuels with renewables, but in fully embracing another energy source that emits zero carbon dioxide: nuclear power.
Dr Tim Gregory dismantles the conventional wisdom that renewables are completely 'green', and debunks myths surrounding waste and radiation, demonstrating that nuclear power is not only reliable, safe and potent, but the most environmentally responsible way to harvest energy. He calls for decarbonisation to be the twenty-first century's Apollo programme, making the bold case for an alternative, sustainable and prosperous future.
*Updated with a new Introduction*
'I challenge you to read this book and not be excited about how we get on and power the world with sustainable energy for the next century' HANNAH RITCHIE
'A bold reframing of one of the most misunderstood technologies of the modern age ... This book stands out for its capacity to disarm' LITERARY REVIEW
'So interesting ... it'll answer all our questions' JEREMY VINE
'Fascinating' JAMES O'BRIEN
'Thrilling...vividly written, filled with fascinating facts, and inspiring' STEVEN PINKER
Sunday Times, i Paper and Nature Book of the Year
This visionary book urges us to rethink the path to net zero, arguing that the solution to climate change lies not simply in replacing fossil fuels with renewables, but in fully embracing another energy source that emits zero carbon dioxide: nuclear power.
Dr Tim Gregory dismantles the conventional wisdom that renewables are completely 'green', and debunks myths surrounding waste and radiation, demonstrating that nuclear power is not only reliable, safe and potent, but the most environmentally responsible way to harvest energy. He calls for decarbonisation to be the twenty-first century's Apollo programme, making the bold case for an alternative, sustainable and prosperous future.
*Updated with a new Introduction*
'I challenge you to read this book and not be excited about how we get on and power the world with sustainable energy for the next century' HANNAH RITCHIE
'A bold reframing of one of the most misunderstood technologies of the modern age ... This book stands out for its capacity to disarm' LITERARY REVIEW
'So interesting ... it'll answer all our questions' JEREMY VINE
Reviews / Votes
Gregory makes a clear, unflinching case for taking nuclear energy seriously in any realistic path to net zero. His explanations of the science, the trade-offs and the public misconceptions keep the debate grounded while the writing itself is lively and engaging -- Best Non-Fiction Books of 2025 * i news * A bold reframing of one of the most misunderstood technologies of the modern age. With clarity, wit and a scientist's eye for precision ... This book stands out for its capacity to disarm. Nuclear power is here made not only comprehensible but also compelling ... In an age of climate anxiety and technological pessimism, Going Nuclear offers a hopeful alternative -- Tone Langengen * Literary Review * Fascinating ... You've won Jimmy over, I wish politicians answered like scientists. Informed facts over uninformed opinions. Great -- James O'Brien * LBC * This book is a highly engaging and lucid primer on nuclear technology -- Steven Poole * Telegraph * Deeply researched ... persuasive ... a strong, carefully argued case -- Nick Rennison * Mail on Sunday * A master class in nuclear science, technology, economics and history -- Mark P. Mills * Wall Street Journal * in this delightful book ... we are urged to reframe our relationship with nuclear power or face extinction. He peppers his convincing argument with surprisingly enchanting anecdotes -- James Carey-Douglas * Mail on Sunday, Summer Reads * You will struggle to find anyone who brings nuclear power to life quite like Tim Gregory. You can feel the enthusiasm jump from the page. There's lots to debate, but I challenge you to read this book and not be excited about how we get on and power the world with sustainable energy for the next century. -- Hannah Ritchie * author of NOT THE END OF THE WORLD * [A] bible ... Gregory's case is that nuclear power is humanity's only hope. Carbon dioxide emissions would vanish as an issue in a nuclear world ... His argument is powerful and it would be interesting to see a counter argument by somebody ... who writes and thinks as well as Gregory. But perhaps there is no such person. -- Bryan Appleyard * Spectator * Energy is necessary for everything we value in life, and the world will need gargantuan amounts of safe and reliable power to eliminate poverty, decarbonise the economy, and feed entirely new demands like artificial intelligence. Going Nuclear shows where this energy will come from-and not as a last resort, but as the enabler of a new chapter in human progress. This is a thrilling book: vividly written, filled with fascinating facts, and inspiring in its vision for the future. -- Steven Pinker * Johnstone Professor, Harvard University, and the author of ENLIGHTENMENT NOW *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Vintage Publishing
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
326 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5299-2932-4 (9781529929324)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
06/2025
The Bodley Head Ltd
€31.50
Shipment within 3-4 weeks

Book
06/2025
The Bodley Head
€21.50
Available immediately

E-Book
06/2025
Vintage Digital
€10.99
Available for download
Person
Dr Tim Gregory is a nuclear chemist at the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory at Sellafield, public speaker, broadcaster and author of Meteorite: How Stones from Outer Space Made our World. In 2017, he was a finalist in BBC2's Astronauts: Do You Have What it Takes and has also presented on BBC's The Sky at Night and Channel 4's Steph's Packed Lunch. He has a PhD from the University of Bristol and lives in the North of England. His website is www.tim-gregory.co.uk.