Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.63k reviews for:
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
4.33 AVERAGE
1.63k reviews for:
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
4.33 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I think Robert Oppenheimer is one of the most fascinating people I have ever read about.
His life is incredibly interesting and sad at the same time. What he accomplished at Los Alamos is a phenomenal achievement of science, and yet what happened in the aftermath of that achievement is nothing short of a tragedy.
I was engrossed at almost every step of the story. Both authors do a great job of laying out his life and attempting to explain every twist in this amazing biography.
As could be expected, things were slow to get started, but nevertheless, it was interesting learning about the many influences that shaped this incredible man.
The later events of his life were obviously the most interesting part of the book, and learning about the various historical events he had a hand in was astounding, he managed these moments with such poise and eloquence that has rarely been seen.
His life is incredibly interesting and sad at the same time. What he accomplished at Los Alamos is a phenomenal achievement of science, and yet what happened in the aftermath of that achievement is nothing short of a tragedy.
I was engrossed at almost every step of the story. Both authors do a great job of laying out his life and attempting to explain every twist in this amazing biography.
As could be expected, things were slow to get started, but nevertheless, it was interesting learning about the many influences that shaped this incredible man.
The later events of his life were obviously the most interesting part of the book, and learning about the various historical events he had a hand in was astounding, he managed these moments with such poise and eloquence that has rarely been seen.
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Feels fitting that I finished this the same week I proverbially set off a nuke in my own life, given that in about 12 hours (4 days after I finished this), I'm moving to China. What a way to set off 2024.
I read this after seeing the movie, and it conveys the same points - with more depth, and in chronological order. In that sense I found it easier to follow than the film, though I loved both. The book was well-researched, interesting, and had lots of depth, digging into niche dramas that I had no idea existed around this topic. At once biography, and expository niche history lesson, it's a fantastic read that definitely had justice done to it by Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy, and co.
I read this after seeing the movie, and it conveys the same points - with more depth, and in chronological order. In that sense I found it easier to follow than the film, though I loved both. The book was well-researched, interesting, and had lots of depth, digging into niche dramas that I had no idea existed around this topic. At once biography, and expository niche history lesson, it's a fantastic read that definitely had justice done to it by Christopher Nolan, Cillian Murphy, and co.
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Deep & very detailed biography of Robert Oppenheimer. Well-written and seemingly well balanced. At times, it was a bit long winded, but I found the second half fascinating. It was fun just comparing this to The Making of the Atomic Bomb and how many small details from this book made it into the Oppenheimer movie.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I love learning about anything related to Los Alamos, the Manhattan Project and the scientists who made it all happen. But while this was an incredibly comprehensive autobiography of Oppenheimer, the middle third was just a slog. I nearly bailed and was think this would be a DNF but I pushed through. Great research and writing, but so freaking long.
adventurous
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
🤌 Librazo de literatura de señores 🤌
MerecidÃsimo el Pullitzer de biografÃas por este trabajo de investigación tan minucioso que a pesar de sus +700 páginas sólo se siente tedioso y cansado en algunas poquitas partes. Además trae buen chisme cientÃfico y mucho contexto histórico.
MerecidÃsimo el Pullitzer de biografÃas por este trabajo de investigación tan minucioso que a pesar de sus +700 páginas sólo se siente tedioso y cansado en algunas poquitas partes. Además trae buen chisme cientÃfico y mucho contexto histórico.
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Strikes an interesting balance – much like its subject, is concerned with the grand arc of planetary history and the minute dramas of the psyche, but doesn't always put the pieces together well between those two. Does communicate the paranoia and conflicting stories of the early Cold War epoch of secrecy well!