Grappling with the bomb: Britain's Pacific H-bomb tests

The leader: Sir Winston Churchill -- The survivors: Lemeyo Abon and Rinok Riklon -- The fisherman: Matashichi Oishi -- The Task Force Commander: Wilfred Oulton -- The businessman: James Burns -- The pacifist: Harold Steele -- Interlude: On radiation, safety and secrecy -- The Chief Petty Officer: Ratu Inoke Bainimarama -- The sailor: Paul Ah Poy -- The high chief: Ratu Penaia Ganilau -- The WVS ladies: Mary and Billie Burgess -- The pilot: Geoffrey Dhenin -- The Prime Minister: Harold Macmillan -- The Foreign Officer: Gillian Brown -- The telegraphist: Roy Sefton -- The soldiers: Isireli Qalo -- The Banaban: Tekoti Rotan -- The mothers: Sui Kiritome -- The last soldiers: Josefa Vueti -- The President: John F. Kennedy -- Interlude: Contested illnesses -- The research scientist: Al Rowland -- The litigant: Pita Rokoratu -- The Rear Admiral: Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama

Grappling with the Bomb is a history of Britain's 1950s program to test the hydrogen bomb, code name Operation Grapple. In 1957-58, nine atmospheric nuclear tests were held at Malden Island and Christmas Island--today, part of the Pacific nation of Kiribati. Nearly 14,000 troops travelled to the central Pacific for the UK nuclear testing program--many are still living with the health and environmental consequences. Based on archival research and interviews with nuclear survivors, Grappling with the Bomb presents i-Kiribati woman Sui Kiritome, British pacifist Harold Steele, businessman James Burns, Fijian sailor Paul Ah Poy, English volunteers Mary and Billie Burgess and many other witnesses to Britain's nuclear folly