This is the anniversary of the disaster in Chernobyl.  The largest of its kind in history.  I just finished the book and have to say it appears to be the authoritative tome on the matter written for the lay public.  Incompetence, arrogance and the bravery of a few Russian patriots are on display. Highly recommend this book!

A companion book which also just hit the shelves is Death and Decay by David McMillan which is more of a photographic exploration of just that - the death of the towns around ground zero and regrowth, albeit highly radioactive. Gorgeously printed by Steidl.