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1.64k reviews for:
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
4.33 AVERAGE
1.64k reviews for:
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
4.33 AVERAGE
Absolutely brilliant book, offering not only spectacular insight into the life and times of Oppenheimer, but also of the social, economic and political backdrop which defined his life.
The only problem is that its length might make it unappealing to casual readers, but the book does offer a lot of detail in those 593 pages.
The only problem is that its length might make it unappealing to casual readers, but the book does offer a lot of detail in those 593 pages.
This is a masterpiece. Quite possibly the best piece of research writing I’ve ever seen directed at a general audience.
Bird and Sherwin approach brilliantly the nuances of human identity—the twists and turns that can take a man to and from places and ideas, as well as the diffuse, ineffable powers of ideology in confining those places and ideas. Chapter by chapter, they deconstruct the Oppenheimer of the atomic bomb, presenting instead the Opp. of poetry, of Proust, of duty and social activism, of family and of friends.
Oppenheimer emerges from these pages as the complex figure his personal writings would tell us he aspired to be, and for that (if that alone) “American Prometheus” succeeds in its lofty aspirations.
Inspiring, moving, and so rich in detail, I’d have to call it a must-read for all interested audiences. Wow!
Bird and Sherwin approach brilliantly the nuances of human identity—the twists and turns that can take a man to and from places and ideas, as well as the diffuse, ineffable powers of ideology in confining those places and ideas. Chapter by chapter, they deconstruct the Oppenheimer of the atomic bomb, presenting instead the Opp. of poetry, of Proust, of duty and social activism, of family and of friends.
Oppenheimer emerges from these pages as the complex figure his personal writings would tell us he aspired to be, and for that (if that alone) “American Prometheus” succeeds in its lofty aspirations.
Inspiring, moving, and so rich in detail, I’d have to call it a must-read for all interested audiences. Wow!
All you wanted to know about Oppenheimer, and more. Enjoyable enough as an audio book, but I could have not made it through if I’d had to read it. Way too much detail, except when it comes to the process of building the bomb. The technical challenges around that are only touched upon very lightly. Still a very interesting book.
Great bio, at times I just wanted a little more personal stuff and a little less background on friends and acquaintances. In some respects the movie is better for those reasons. Would love to see a sequel just about Kitty, she’s fascinating herself for a number of reasons both good and bad.
Very well written biography of a uniquely strange and brilliant person trapped in a uniquely strange time. Well worth the time!
It was hard keeping up with all of the names and dates.
informative
slow-paced
After seeing the movie, Oppenheimer, this summer (2023) I just had to read this book. The movie was very good but it left me with so many questions and I had to find answers.
This is one of the best books I've ever read! Granted, loving a book is very individual and I realize others could think a book I love is a book they hate, but I loved this book. That's saying a lot. I am a slow reader and just looking at a book with this many pages is daunting. But I found "American Prometheus" fascinating.
I have recently finished "Death of a President" by William Manchester, another daunting 700 page book and when finished, I was glad to be done. Personally, I thought the writing in "Death of a President" was terrible. So when I started "American Prometheus" I was worried about the writing style but found it very readable. There are hundreds of characters in this book and the authors realized that the reader would not be able to keep track of many of them. So they constantly threw in reminders as to who each character was but were careful not to over do it. This was greatly appreciated. The writing was smooth and understandable.
The entire book was a page Turner although I felt the "trial" portion dragged. But the trial portion was a huge part of Oppenheimer's life and that story had to be told. I don't think it could have been told differently. So that's not really a complaint.
I do have one negative comment. I felt the authors told the story with a very positive bias towards Oppenheimer but were still willing to show his negative aspects. I feel a biography should simply tell the story as it is. But early on, I formed a positive opinion of Oppenheimer and was perfectly willing to see him in the light that he was portrayed. After reading this book, I am a huge Oppenheimer fan.
Great read!
This is one of the best books I've ever read! Granted, loving a book is very individual and I realize others could think a book I love is a book they hate, but I loved this book. That's saying a lot. I am a slow reader and just looking at a book with this many pages is daunting. But I found "American Prometheus" fascinating.
I have recently finished "Death of a President" by William Manchester, another daunting 700 page book and when finished, I was glad to be done. Personally, I thought the writing in "Death of a President" was terrible. So when I started "American Prometheus" I was worried about the writing style but found it very readable. There are hundreds of characters in this book and the authors realized that the reader would not be able to keep track of many of them. So they constantly threw in reminders as to who each character was but were careful not to over do it. This was greatly appreciated. The writing was smooth and understandable.
The entire book was a page Turner although I felt the "trial" portion dragged. But the trial portion was a huge part of Oppenheimer's life and that story had to be told. I don't think it could have been told differently. So that's not really a complaint.
I do have one negative comment. I felt the authors told the story with a very positive bias towards Oppenheimer but were still willing to show his negative aspects. I feel a biography should simply tell the story as it is. But early on, I formed a positive opinion of Oppenheimer and was perfectly willing to see him in the light that he was portrayed. After reading this book, I am a huge Oppenheimer fan.
Great read!
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced