Atomic Pilgrim
by James Patrick Thomas
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Pub Date Jul 16 2025 | Archive Date Not set
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Description
James Patrick Thomas’s path toward nuclear disarmament began on Good Friday, 1982, when he and his fellow peace pilgrims started walking away from the Trident Nuclear Submarine Base near Seattle. Their Bethlehem Peace Pilgrimage would span 6,700 miles across the United States and nine other countries, each step aimed at ending the nuclear arms race.
After two years on the road, Jim continued his pursuit of peace and disarmament. Back in Spokane, Washington, Jim turned his attention toward the Hanford plutonium factory—one of the original Manhattan Project sites just 110 miles from his home. Over the next two decades, Jim helped uncover stunning revelations about Hanford’s toxic regional impact and its role in our nation’s nuclear weapons complex.
Atomic Pilgrim is the story of how one person’s faith, actions, and persistence can impact seemingly immovable systems and hold even the most powerful bureaucracies to account.
Advance Praise
Jim Thomas is a peacemaking miracle. He walks a way of peace that can turn humanity from extinction to life. Read him and believe in miracles for us all. —Jim Douglass, author, JFK and the Unspeakable
This is a wonderful hope-inspiring book! A tonic for sagging spirits in these dark days. —Shelley Douglass, co-founder of the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action
A passionate memoir by an anti-nuclear activist and committed patriot. —Gregg Herken, author, Brotherhood of the Bomb: The Tangled Lives and Loyalties of Robert Oppenheimer, Ernest Lawrence, and Edward Teller
Atomic Pilgrim relates the journey of a person deeply committed to a world without nuclear weapons. Uniquely, the book provides both scientifically solid information, personal sharing of his faith in God, and rich stories of friendships with a variety of people in different parts of the world. Although I only met him once when he visited Japan in 2023, in reading Atomic Pilgrim, I have come to know him better and more deeply. —Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz Sister Shizue “Filo” Hirota, consultant for the Catholic Council for Justice and Peace of the Bishops’ Conference of Japan
Atomic Pilgrim is an inspiring reminder of the many paths opened by courageous people of faith leading to a more peaceful world. Now with a renewed nuclear arms race, Atomic Pilgrim challenges us all to be prophets testifying to the truth. —Prof. Dr. Massimo Faggioli, Professor of Historical Theology, Villanova University and author of Vatican II: The Battle for Meaning
Marketing Plan
Book Publicity Campaign with Mindbuck Media
Book Publicity Campaign with Mindbuck Media
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781957607368 |
| PRICE | $19.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 276 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Sarah J, Reviewer
Book Review: Atomic Pilgrim by James Patrick Thomas
James Patrick Thomas’s Atomic Pilgrim is a deeply introspective memoir that chronicles the author’s personal and spiritual journey toward nuclear disarmament. Blending autobiography, ethical reflection, and advocacy, Thomas—a former Jesuit Volunteer Corps member—examines the moral imperatives of peace, the haunting legacy of nuclear weapons, and the role of individual action in global change. The book stands as both a personal testimony and a call to collective responsibility, making it a compelling read for those interested in ethics, activism, and memoir as a form of social witness.
Content and Themes
Atomic Pilgrim traces Thomas’s evolution from a young volunteer grappling with questions of justice to a committed advocate for nuclear abolition. Key themes include:
Moral Awakening: The author’s formative experiences in service work and how they shaped his understanding of systemic violence.
Nuclear Ethics: A critique of the Cold War’s enduring shadows, emphasizing the humanitarian consequences of nuclear proliferation.
Spiritual Activism: The intersection of faith and activism, framed through Thomas’s Jesuit-inspired commitment to “contemplation in action.”
Pilgrimage as Metaphor: The narrative structure mirrors a pilgrimage—marked by doubt, revelation, and incremental progress toward a seemingly impossible goal.
Strengths
Nuanced Reflection: Thomas avoids simplistic moralizing, instead presenting disarmament as a complex, ongoing struggle.
Personal Vulnerability: His willingness to confront his own limitations and failures lends authenticity to the advocacy narrative.
Interdisciplinary Appeal: The memoir bridges theology, political science, and peace studies, offering rich material for discussion.
Areas for Improvement
Pacing: Some sections lean heavily on philosophical exposition, which may slow momentum for readers seeking a more narrative-driven experience.
Scope: While the focus on nuclear disarmament is timely, broader connections to contemporary movements (e.g., climate justice) could strengthen relevance.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
Originality & Perspective: 4.5/5 (A rare blend of memoir and nuclear ethics)
Narrative Cohesion: 3.8/5 (Profound but occasionally uneven flow)
Thematic Depth: 5/5 (Masterful exploration of morality and action)
Accessibility: 3.5/5 (Best suited for readers familiar with ethical discourse)
Emotional Impact: 4.2/5 (Moving, though abstract at times)
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
Atomic Pilgrim is a thought-provoking and morally urgent work. While its density may challenge casual readers, its fusion of personal narrative and global advocacy offers a resonant model for how individual lives can engage with existential threats. Thomas’s voice is both humble and prophetic—a rare combination that lingers long after the final page.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and James Patrick Thomas for providing an advance copy of Atomic Pilgrim. This review reflects my sincere engagement with the book’s ethical vision and its challenge to readers.
