Ian Fitzgerald – författare

Beneath the outward appearance of legitimate government and accountable officials there lurk hidden agendas, shadowy personalities and special interest groups seeking to seize control of the nation for their own ends. These ''states within a state'', unfettered by legal norms and unworried by public opinion, are known as ''deep states''.In this fascinating account, Ian Fitzgerald examines what a deep state really is and how they have emerged in various places across the world and throughout history. Ranging from the police state of East Germany in the 1950s to the narco states of Latin America in the 1970s to the institutional corruption of 21st century Nigeria, he explores the many ways people have sought to seize the apparatus of power for themselves while remaining out of sight. Now the subject of modern conspiracy theories the world over as a worrying trend toward unelected power emerges, this book is more timely than ever, and helps separate fact from fiction.Looks at deep state conspiracies around the world, including:• the narco-states of Colombia and Mexico - where legitimate institutions have been corrupted by the power and wealth of the illegal drug trade• the illicit tax haven of Panama and the 2016 "Panama Papers", history''s biggest data leak• the United Fruit Company''s involvement in the 1954 coup d''état in Guatemala• the robber barons of the late 19th- and early 20th- century America• the role of intelligence services such as the CIA, FBI and NSA in the US deep state, at home and abroad• the extent to which social media sites such as Facebook influence voters

In the early hours of the morning of 26 April 1986, the nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine exploded, unleashing a storm of radioactive material into the atmosphere and contaminating most of Europe with its fallout. It was a disaster on an unprecedented scale.This is a story of hubris, heroism and tragedy as engineers, firefighters, doctors and government officials all worked to contain the fiasco.In this volume, Ian Fitzgerald reveals the details of how the accident occurred, the desperate response to the situation and the investigation and recriminations that followed. He asks what lessons can be learned - and what, if anything, we are doing to make sure they can never happen again.

In the early hours of the morning of 26 April 1986, the nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine exploded, unleashing a storm of radioactive material into the atmosphere and contaminating most of Europe with its fallout. It was a disaster on an unprecedented scale.This is a story of hubris, heroism and tragedy as engineers, firefighters, doctors and government officials all worked to contain the fiasco.In this volume, Ian Fitzgerald reveals the details of how the accident occurred, the desperate response to the situation and the investigation and recriminations that followed. He asks what lessons can be learned - and what, if anything, we are doing to make sure they can never happen again.

This lavish full-colour reference guide explores the fascinating history of the substance that changed the modern world: oil. In this compelling account, Ian Fitzgerald tells the complete story of oil, from its formation over millions of years to its first discovery and use by humankind to its role as a crucial energy source and the conflicts that have since revolved around it.Along the way, he covers such themes as technological innovation, cartels and collusions, oil's ever-depleting stocks and the rise of environmentalism, and its staggering influence on politics and business. Taking us from the days of oil barons like John D. Rockefeller and the first refineries of Standard Oil through to the formation of OPEC in the mid-20th century and the rise of fracking in the 21st, A History of Oil explores everything from the creation of plastics to the causes of the Gulf Wars.

A story of technological triumphs, heartbreaking setbacks, and remarkable intellect.Nikola Tesla is one of the most fascinating characters in the history of science. A brilliant inventor and eccentric visionary, his ideas were undoubtedly ahead of his time. His name today is synonymous with innovation. Yet he lived much of his life in poverty, feuded with fellow inventors and died in obscurity.In this biography, Ian Fitzgerald brings to life the story of the intellectual giant, from his youth in rural Croatia through his emigration to the United States and his rivalry with Thomas Edison over his alternating current technology to his most ambitious project, the Wardenclyffe Tower, and the unhappy consequences of its demise.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Pioneers series brings together entertaining biographies of leading figures within scientific world and beyond, tracing their lives, legacy and the pioneering ideas that made them world-famous.

A story of technological triumphs, heartbreaking setbacks, and remarkable intellect.Nikola Tesla is one of the most fascinating characters in the history of science. A brilliant inventor and eccentric visionary, his ideas were undoubtedly ahead of his time. His name today is synonymous with innovation. Yet he lived much of his life in poverty, feuded with fellow inventors and died in obscurity.In this biography, Ian Fitzgerald brings to life the story of the intellectual giant, from his youth in rural Croatia through his emigration to the United States and his rivalry with Thomas Edison over his alternating current technology to his most ambitious project, the Wardenclyffe Tower, and the unhappy consequences of its demise.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Sirius Biographies series brings together entertaining biographies of leading figures within scientific world and beyond, tracing their lives, legacy and the pioneering ideas that made them world-famous.

A fascinating overview of the substance that has shaped the modern world filled with full color illustrations and informative diagrams.In this compelling account, Ian Fitzgerald tells the complete story of oil, from its formation over millions of years to its first discovery and use by humankind to its role as a crucial energy source and the conflicts that have since revolved around it.Along the way, he covers such themes as technological innovation, cartels and collusions, oil's ever-depleting stocks and the rise of environmentalism, and its staggering influence on politics and business. Taking us from the days of oil barons like John D. Rockefeller and the first refineries of Standard Oil through to the formation of OPEC in the mid-20th century and the rise of fracking in the 21st, A History of Oil explores everything from the creation of plastics to the causes of the Gulf Wars.

A fascinating exploration of the influence of oil on the modern world.Illustrated throughout with full-color images.

In the early hours of the morning of 26 April 1986, the nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine exploded, unleashing a storm of radioactive material into the atmosphere and contaminating most of Europe with its fallout. It was a disaster on an unprecedented scale.In this comprehensive guide, Ian Fitzgerald explores the events as they unfolded: the science behind the explosion and what went wrong; the hubris and heroism shown on the ground as engineers, firefighters, doctors and government officials all worked to contain the fiasco; as well as the cover-ups and recriminations that followed. Photographs reveal the human side to the story and the ordinary men and woman who put their lives on the line to escape total catastrophe. Fitzgerald asks what lessons can be learned - and what, if anything, we are doing to make sure they can never happen again.