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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
informative
reflective
informative
medium-paced
4.5
I saw Oppenheimer last year and knew I had to read the book that the movie was based on. A difficult but rewarding read. What a remarkable life. I learned a lot about the man, but also a lot about the science and the politics of the period that he lived in. As with most history books I have read lately, what I learned in school doesn’t match up well against what really happened.
Supposedly the authors spent 25 years working on this book, I thought it was going to take me that long to finish it!
I wouldn’t say it was an enjoyable read, but it was certainly fascinating and thought provoking. It was a bit depressing to boot.
Thought it spent too much time on the "Chevalier Incident", beat that to death. Otherwise a great biography.
Tons of footnotes and references.
I saw Oppenheimer last year and knew I had to read the book that the movie was based on. A difficult but rewarding read. What a remarkable life. I learned a lot about the man, but also a lot about the science and the politics of the period that he lived in. As with most history books I have read lately, what I learned in school doesn’t match up well against what really happened.
Supposedly the authors spent 25 years working on this book, I thought it was going to take me that long to finish it!
I wouldn’t say it was an enjoyable read, but it was certainly fascinating and thought provoking. It was a bit depressing to boot.
Thought it spent too much time on the "Chevalier Incident", beat that to death. Otherwise a great biography.
Tons of footnotes and references.
challenging
emotional
informative
slow-paced
For a biography this was a riveting read. This man had a crazy life. I also feel like I learned a ton about WWII/Cold War politics that I didn’t know and that Truman was not a great president…. And honestly Eisenhower wasn’t much better. Despite Oppenheimer’s faults and past bad decisions the witch hunt on him in the latter part of his life was awful.
Also so proud of myself for finishing this behemoth.
Also so proud of myself for finishing this behemoth.
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Just an amazing read well written loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, War
Wow. This book is fascinating: espionage, science, politics, love, betrayal, and war.
Not only is this a biography of one of the most interesting people of the 20th century, it is also a story of the advancement of quantum physics and the creation of the deadliest weapon on earth. We watch the physicists wrestle with both the science and the ethics involved in nuclear armament. The lab at Los Alamos would have been an incredible project to be a part of.
I am going to seek out more on the concept introduced here that the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombs weren’t the last actions of World War II but the first actions of the Cold War. These bombings required Japan to surrender on American, not Russian terms, and established America as the post-war superpower.
But after the “success” of the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer was under the scrutiny of the Red Scare, having had previous associations with communists. His interactions, surveillance, and frustrating security hearings are covered in (maybe too much) detail.
If you like this, try:
[b:Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon|13170021|Bomb The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon|Steve Sheinkin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1424981656l/13170021._SX50_.jpg|18349336]Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin. While this is targeted at a younger audience, it still has great elements and details of the story of the atomic bomb and those involved. The unexpected spies and defectors, brilliant scientists, and unbelievable pressure they are under make this a fabulous read. If you are interested in the subject of the atomic bomb development, but not 700ish-pages-American-Prometheus interested, try this one instead. Check out the review by @everydayreading. It will convince you to pick it up.
“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!”: Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard Feynman. Theoretical physicists just think differently. That makes them absolutely fascinating people. Richard Feynman is also a funny person and this memoir is an entertaining way to see what makes him tick.
Not only is this a biography of one of the most interesting people of the 20th century, it is also a story of the advancement of quantum physics and the creation of the deadliest weapon on earth. We watch the physicists wrestle with both the science and the ethics involved in nuclear armament. The lab at Los Alamos would have been an incredible project to be a part of.
I am going to seek out more on the concept introduced here that the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombs weren’t the last actions of World War II but the first actions of the Cold War. These bombings required Japan to surrender on American, not Russian terms, and established America as the post-war superpower.
But after the “success” of the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer was under the scrutiny of the Red Scare, having had previous associations with communists. His interactions, surveillance, and frustrating security hearings are covered in (maybe too much) detail.
If you like this, try:
[b:Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon|13170021|Bomb The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon|Steve Sheinkin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1424981656l/13170021._SX50_.jpg|18349336]Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin. While this is targeted at a younger audience, it still has great elements and details of the story of the atomic bomb and those involved. The unexpected spies and defectors, brilliant scientists, and unbelievable pressure they are under make this a fabulous read. If you are interested in the subject of the atomic bomb development, but not 700ish-pages-American-Prometheus interested, try this one instead. Check out the review by @everydayreading. It will convince you to pick it up.
“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!”: Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard Feynman. Theoretical physicists just think differently. That makes them absolutely fascinating people. Richard Feynman is also a funny person and this memoir is an entertaining way to see what makes him tick.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
An incredibly detailed account of the life of J Robert Oppenheimer. Perhaps more detailed that I knew I was getting into when I started this title. Nonetheless, it was very well written and interesting.
Audiobook.
Audiobook.