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1.63k reviews for:
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
1.63k reviews for:
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
After watching the movie Oppenheimer, I decided I wanted to read the book that it is based on as well to see how it differed. The movie follows the book pretty closely, even putting some scenes that suggest there is some ambiguity about what REALLY happened like for instance with Jean's death. An unfortunate side effect of learning about Oppenheimer as a man is that most of the book is about communism and if Oppenheimer was a communist. So a good 60%+ 0f the book is just about that and the cost of his early beliefs and friendships. If you want to learn more about the development of the atomic bomb this is not the book but if you just want to learn more about Oppenheimer as a man than it is worth the read.
A thorough biography of Oppenheimer from before the bomb, through the bomb, and beyond. I didn't realize how much his mental health struggled long before he was put on trial. Interesting read. Help shed light on a controversial figure in science.
Fantastic engaging book about one of the most complex people in American history - has some pacing issues in the latter half, especially as Bird ties together events between Trinity and Strauss, but overall the essential telling of this life
slow-paced
A thorough, deeply-researched account of the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer. It was slow and complex at points, so it doesn’t score as highly as some of the other big bios I’ve read before. The film was remarkably accurate to the book.
An immensely interesting read. Whatever you think about Oppenheimer as a person or as an historical figure, Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin present a compellingly written and page-turning accounting of the man's life - his triumphs and his failures and everything in between.
Like many after watching Christopher Nolan’s masterful film Oppenheimer, I felt an overwhelming desire to read the text which inspired such a powerful work. But first I waited and delayed, reading through my endless nonfiction backlog. But then I read Genius, a biography on Richard Feynman - and, who should be mentioned, but Oppenheimer! Next I read Tesla - and again, the name of Oppenheimer! It was here that I listened and obeyed, and so embarked on a reading of American Prometheus.
I have read many biographies (less than some, but more than most) and am of the opinion that this is one of the best. As with many of the great studies of iconic individuals, the initial 4 to 5 year project blossomed into a multi-decade examination, and how thankful I am, and we all should be, for that. To me it seems that Bird and Sherwin rescued Oppenheimer; if not quite from oblivion, then perhaps from relegation in the shadows. Here was a controversial figure, complicated and misunderstood, who allowed a man (if he be a man), Lewis Strauss, destroy him like the atomic bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Oppenheimer seemed to take these blows as repentance for the sins of his work; yet surely he saw the warning, that such men will do all they can, whether destroying one man or risk nuclear annihilation for all, to gain power; and to keep it.
And look where this brought Strauss. He is now considered the lowest of the low. His entire life is summed up by cruelty and unrelenting drive for gain. He will be remembered as nothing but a hated villain, the inconvenient clod of caught between the treads of a boot, a man forgotten but for his attempt to ruin Oppenheimer, a name which now shines brighter than ever, whose reputation has undergone a renaissance, a man who became and met death, yet lives on, further enriching our lives, teaching us today and a hundred years hereafter.
I have read many biographies (less than some, but more than most) and am of the opinion that this is one of the best. As with many of the great studies of iconic individuals, the initial 4 to 5 year project blossomed into a multi-decade examination, and how thankful I am, and we all should be, for that. To me it seems that Bird and Sherwin rescued Oppenheimer; if not quite from oblivion, then perhaps from relegation in the shadows. Here was a controversial figure, complicated and misunderstood, who allowed a man (if he be a man), Lewis Strauss, destroy him like the atomic bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Oppenheimer seemed to take these blows as repentance for the sins of his work; yet surely he saw the warning, that such men will do all they can, whether destroying one man or risk nuclear annihilation for all, to gain power; and to keep it.
And look where this brought Strauss. He is now considered the lowest of the low. His entire life is summed up by cruelty and unrelenting drive for gain. He will be remembered as nothing but a hated villain, the inconvenient clod of
Spoiler
shit
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Always nice to wrap myself in histories of the Atomic Age. Somehow, I never knew Oppenheimer's fate before reading this... But overall, a very nice read.
i don’t even really have words to express how much i adored this book.
on one hand, it feels like i am now oppies parasocial friend who stalks him in the lunch line and seems to know everything about him despite never holding a conversation.
however, this book feels so special and so beautiful.
i relate to oppenheimer a lot (i say after literally just bursting into tears infront of my parents because i don’t want to do my physics gcses), particularly with his guilt and his grief.
i also relate to kitty a lot, who is like my favourite person in the book ever however i adored learning about all of his relationships. that particularly, i think was my favourite thing to learn about. as a filmmaker, i would love to create something about kitty someday, as long as christopher nolan doesn’t sue me of course.
there are many more books about him that i would love to read now and thiis book has opened a world of doors for me.
i want to get a phd in history someday and when i do, lord knows i will write my thesis about oppie. so much more i could say but i am so insanely in love with this book. joined with kafkas letters to milena, this was the easiest five stars of my life.
on one hand, it feels like i am now oppies parasocial friend who stalks him in the lunch line and seems to know everything about him despite never holding a conversation.
however, this book feels so special and so beautiful.
i relate to oppenheimer a lot (i say after literally just bursting into tears infront of my parents because i don’t want to do my physics gcses), particularly with his guilt and his grief.
i also relate to kitty a lot, who is like my favourite person in the book ever however i adored learning about all of his relationships. that particularly, i think was my favourite thing to learn about. as a filmmaker, i would love to create something about kitty someday, as long as christopher nolan doesn’t sue me of course.
there are many more books about him that i would love to read now and thiis book has opened a world of doors for me.
i want to get a phd in history someday and when i do, lord knows i will write my thesis about oppie. so much more i could say but i am so insanely in love with this book. joined with kafkas letters to milena, this was the easiest five stars of my life.