"In 1957 one of the two reactors built at Windscale, in Cumbria, England, to produce plutonium for bombs was destroyed by fire, in the world's first major nuclear accident. This book - using official papers, scientific reports and much first-hand evidence - tells of those who designed, built and operated the reactors. It describes the fire of fifty years ago, and what followed, and considers its causes, effects and enduring political significance."--Jacket.