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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
This book made me think about the enormous trust we place in those we consider reliable sources of information, such as journalists and scientists, and about the culture of secrecy in government. Without good understanding, erroneous decisions in public policy can easily be made. I learned about history with which I was unfamiliar and was able to apply these lessons to current politics, so I consider this a very good book, but some parts of the book were a long slog I did not particularly enjoy, so I only placed it on my 3-star bookshelf.
In a word, tedious. American Prometheus was the inspiration for the film "Oppenheimer," but except for the basic facts of Oppenheimer's involvement with the development of the atomic bomb, and the revenge against him extracted by Lewis Strauss, the book and movie bear little resemblance to one another.
Oppenheimer is clearly a fascinating subject, but there is simply way too much information here. The book was exhaustively researched, and it seems the author included every detail about Oppy that he encountered. We learn of each friend, girlfriend, wife, mistress, meeting, conference, vacation, house, job interview, conversation, etc. etc. in a very full life. It is chronologically narrated and the writing is competent if a bit pedestrian. Bird seems incapable of weeding out the extraneous which makes the book a bit of a slog.
About two thirds of the way in things finally get interesting. Lewis Strauss' jealousy and hatred for Oppenheimer drives him to relentlessly seek revenge on Oppy until he ruins his (Oppy's) career and possibly his life. The sort of political machinations that Strauss used in aid of his mission are being repeated in the U.S. House of Representatives today as some in Congress pursue the Biden family nonstop.
Despite all this, because of Oppenheimer's fascinating character and life, the book being so well researched, and its relevance to our political situation today, I think it's worth a read.
Oppenheimer is clearly a fascinating subject, but there is simply way too much information here. The book was exhaustively researched, and it seems the author included every detail about Oppy that he encountered. We learn of each friend, girlfriend, wife, mistress, meeting, conference, vacation, house, job interview, conversation, etc. etc. in a very full life. It is chronologically narrated and the writing is competent if a bit pedestrian. Bird seems incapable of weeding out the extraneous which makes the book a bit of a slog.
About two thirds of the way in things finally get interesting. Lewis Strauss' jealousy and hatred for Oppenheimer drives him to relentlessly seek revenge on Oppy until he ruins his (Oppy's) career and possibly his life. The sort of political machinations that Strauss used in aid of his mission are being repeated in the U.S. House of Representatives today as some in Congress pursue the Biden family nonstop.
Despite all this, because of Oppenheimer's fascinating character and life, the book being so well researched, and its relevance to our political situation today, I think it's worth a read.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I got 26% done, then watched the movie. It is a very detailed book and interesting, but long winded and boring in parts.
Great book about a very misunderstood man. Its part of my "must read" category for those who love the Manhattan Project, nuclear discovery, the fifties, etc. I find it interesting that more people associate Einstein with the creation of the atomic bomb than Oppenheimer or Teller.
An interesting read about this genius who assembled a team of geniuses (genii?) to work on building something they thought could not be done.
If you want the a fuller picture of his life, and an explanation of the film, I can recommend this book.
It certainly gives much more detail on the extreme lengths that Strauss went to to crush Oppenheimer's career, and the long history the two of them had. Who knows what was going through that guys head.
Although Oppy achieved such a huge triumph. His closest family members and lovers suffered. The book doesn't dwell much this, mostly on his work and the people who were charmed by him.
If you want the a fuller picture of his life, and an explanation of the film, I can recommend this book.
It certainly gives much more detail on the extreme lengths that Strauss went to to crush Oppenheimer's career, and the long history the two of them had. Who knows what was going through that guys head.
Although Oppy achieved such a huge triumph. His closest family members and lovers suffered. The book doesn't dwell much this, mostly on his work and the people who were charmed by him.
The tragic tale of a closeted gay man, Senator Lewis Strauss, who fell deeply in love with the father of the atomic bomb, Julius Robert Oppenheimer. Strauss dedicated his life to Oppenheimer, he thought about him endlessly. Strauss would sit in his office late into the night, pouring over transcripts of the great physicist’s wire taps, wistfully imagining himself on the other end of the infamous scientist’s phone calls. To Strauss’s dismay, his feelings were one sided and Robert ignored the senators numerous attempts at flirtation.
Like most infantile men upon realizing their deeply amorous affections were one sided, Strauss set his path upon vengeance and vindictiveness. The heart broken senator left no stone unturned in the downfall of the celebrated physicist, going so far as to bringing the FBI to conduct warrant less searches of Oppenheimer’s in laws, setting up illegal wiretaps of not only Robert but of his friends, and finally ousting the Manhattan Project director of his security clearance after a kangaroo court hearing which left him broken of spirit and career. Senator Strauss not only destroyed Oppenheimer’s legacy, he destroyed his own reputation and outed himself during a time of deep homophobia.
American Prometheus is a cautionary tale of love and atom bombs and how both should be regarded with a healthy sense of fear and compassion; for to hold the power of either is to hold the fate of many.
Like most infantile men upon realizing their deeply amorous affections were one sided, Strauss set his path upon vengeance and vindictiveness. The heart broken senator left no stone unturned in the downfall of the celebrated physicist, going so far as to bringing the FBI to conduct warrant less searches of Oppenheimer’s in laws, setting up illegal wiretaps of not only Robert but of his friends, and finally ousting the Manhattan Project director of his security clearance after a kangaroo court hearing which left him broken of spirit and career. Senator Strauss not only destroyed Oppenheimer’s legacy, he destroyed his own reputation and outed himself during a time of deep homophobia.
American Prometheus is a cautionary tale of love and atom bombs and how both should be regarded with a healthy sense of fear and compassion; for to hold the power of either is to hold the fate of many.
Kind of interesting but honestly liked the movie better this was really just a series of events written in not that interesting of a way.
What an incredible book, story and human being. One of the most thorough biographies I’ve ever read - as well as a heckuva read.
informative
reflective
medium-paced