Midnight in Chernobyl byt Adam Higginbotham

Midnight in Chernobyl is one of those books that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Adam Higginbotham does an incredible job of breaking down the Chernobyl disaster, not just as a nuclear accident but as a story of human error, government failure, and Soviet secrecy gone horribly wrong.

What makes this book stand out is how it focuses on the people involved—the engineers, scientists, and officials who were at the center of it all. Some were heroes, some were just trying to do their jobs, and some made terrible decisions that made everything worse. Higginbotham’s writing makes it all feel immediate and real, like you’re right there in the control room as things start to go south.

Even though it covers a lot of technical and historical details, it never feels boring or overly complicated. Higginbotham explains things in a way that’s easy to understand, and the story moves fast, almost like a thriller. The way the Soviet government tried to cover things up is just as fascinating (and infuriating) as the disaster itself.

If you’re into history, science, or just love a gripping true story, this book is a must-read. It’s intense, well-researched, and honestly hard to put down.

Reserve the book at the library or get the eBook or audiobook with your SPL card.

Aimee Clark, IT Librarian