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1.62k reviews for:
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
4.33 AVERAGE
1.62k reviews for:
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
4.33 AVERAGE
A good book on an extraordinary , capable and brilliant man plagued by extremely powerful but mediocre paranoid men with limited visions and even more limited intelligence . I had limited respect for Truman as a president but this took him down a notch or two , perhaps now Warren Harding is the only president who is worse .
The idea that the US already knew that Japanese were about to surrender and the US needed to demonstrate the power of atomic weapons is a chilling one
The idea that the US already knew that Japanese were about to surrender and the US needed to demonstrate the power of atomic weapons is a chilling one
informative
slow-paced
American Prometheus
Prologue
- Oppenheimer was a deeply complicated man not to unlike Prometheus who gave fire to the humans but then wanted to renegotiate the usage as human use of fire was so destructive. Oppenheimer wanted everyone to use atomic energy safely but was put on trial for his beliefs.
Chapter 1
- As a young child, Oppenheimer’s mother was very protective leading to a more introverted state for Oppenheimer. His social skills were not great but he did have a way of looking at the world that was unique. He would find good release of emotions in sailing and living dangerously but still would find it hard to talk to people or make friends.
Chapter 2
- In college Oppenheimer would have a hard time figuring out exactly what he wanted to do and be. He was depressed because of his lack of social life and straight inability to talk to women. Though he did make some friends, he still felt distant to many of them. Trying to make his genius seem effortless, he would hide away and study for hours.
Chapter 3
- Oppenheimer’s depression and lack of a sex life lead to many mental breakdowns that even included attempted physical harm on others. He soon was reading in a book about the normality of his state of being that started to pull him out of his depressive state and would start to mend his mental health. He even saw therapists for this but many of them did not help or helped for a very short period of time.
Chapter 4
- Still budding but slowly being picked up as one of the greatest intellects out there, Oppenheimer is doing pretty well for himself and sometimes even attracting women. But mostly he is making strides in the math and science community. Especially with quantum mechanics.
Chapter 5
- I love Oppies love for his younger brother, though sometimes giving him half decent advice, his heart was in the right place no matter how much his mind tended to not be.
Chapter 6
- Robert, seems to have a disconnect in him for he is becoming more friendly and having lots of charm but is never able to truly make friends. People are becoming attracted to his charisma and personality but not feeling close to him at all. But he is still a daredevil.
Chapter 7
- Tensions is Germany grow higher as Adolf begins his rise to power making Oppenheimer’s political and religious standing difficult. Though he seems to weather the storm well. Then he meets Jean Tatlock.
Chapter 8
- Oppenheimers involvement with politics is beginning to rise now. He really has great intentions to help people with the funds he has so dutifully been blessed with throughout his life. Not thinking twice, he gives to things he believes are great cause but gives through things like the communist party. He also helps scientists escape nazi Germany. These will become problematic and also his newfound interest and voice in politics will rustle a few feathers.
Chapter 9
- The FBI monitored Oppenheimer like none other to see if he was a communist party member. Most of these things were illegal, but even then they could never pin party membership on him. He was just an intellectual who truly knew politics and donated time and money to those things he believed in.
Chapter 10
- It seems that Jean and Kitty were both Oppenheimers true lovers. Kitty was married twice before Robert which shows her fickle nature and almost immaturity/strong headed. But eventually Oppie marries Kitty and they had a child together.
Chapter 11
- Things are getting more stressed with communist sympathizers and people are losing jobs. Also science is evolving enough to make way for an atom bomb to be created.
Chapter 13
- The FBI really did a lot of illegal listening in on everyone they deemed a threat. Distrust of Oppenheimer was everywhere but he still was the best guy for the job of director of the Manhattan Project.
Chapter 14
- Many people and scientists especially were in favor of supporting the Russians to win the war since we were all fighting the Nazis. But many people were also against this because of the fight against communism and fascism. Oppenheimer was approached to help the Russians but did adequately label it as treason and thought nothing of this proposal as it was a small conversation. But apparently it became quite a scandal thus increasing Oppenheimers overall distrust from others.
Chapter 15
- Wow they literally almost assassinated Heisenberg that’s crazy. Los Alamos is fully underway and has about 3500 people and spends 7.5million dollars. Oppenheimer has adapted to his new role quite well and is a great leader.
Chapter 16
- Oppenheimer visits Jean for a day and even spends the night with her at her apartment. Being watched the whole time and Jean being a known communist party member, he is now being investigated even further for spreading secrets to the Soviets.
Chapter 17
- Groves is a real Greta person as he is one of the few that actually believes Oppenheimer to be unwaverable and an integrity filled person.
Chapter 18
- Jean Tatlock has committed suicide during one of her depressive states. It was slightly beloved by some that she was assassinated, maybe even by the CIA, but most believe it was just a clever suicide by Jean.
Chapter 19
- As time goes on, Los Alamos is feeling more like a trapped society than a utopia of any kind. People are working more and playing less making tensions run high. Kitty especially is feeling depression after having a baby and Robert almost never sees the baby due to his work. It is a tough time.
Prologue
- Oppenheimer was a deeply complicated man not to unlike Prometheus who gave fire to the humans but then wanted to renegotiate the usage as human use of fire was so destructive. Oppenheimer wanted everyone to use atomic energy safely but was put on trial for his beliefs.
Chapter 1
- As a young child, Oppenheimer’s mother was very protective leading to a more introverted state for Oppenheimer. His social skills were not great but he did have a way of looking at the world that was unique. He would find good release of emotions in sailing and living dangerously but still would find it hard to talk to people or make friends.
Chapter 2
- In college Oppenheimer would have a hard time figuring out exactly what he wanted to do and be. He was depressed because of his lack of social life and straight inability to talk to women. Though he did make some friends, he still felt distant to many of them. Trying to make his genius seem effortless, he would hide away and study for hours.
Chapter 3
- Oppenheimer’s depression and lack of a sex life lead to many mental breakdowns that even included attempted physical harm on others. He soon was reading in a book about the normality of his state of being that started to pull him out of his depressive state and would start to mend his mental health. He even saw therapists for this but many of them did not help or helped for a very short period of time.
Chapter 4
- Still budding but slowly being picked up as one of the greatest intellects out there, Oppenheimer is doing pretty well for himself and sometimes even attracting women. But mostly he is making strides in the math and science community. Especially with quantum mechanics.
Chapter 5
- I love Oppies love for his younger brother, though sometimes giving him half decent advice, his heart was in the right place no matter how much his mind tended to not be.
Chapter 6
- Robert, seems to have a disconnect in him for he is becoming more friendly and having lots of charm but is never able to truly make friends. People are becoming attracted to his charisma and personality but not feeling close to him at all. But he is still a daredevil.
Chapter 7
- Tensions is Germany grow higher as Adolf begins his rise to power making Oppenheimer’s political and religious standing difficult. Though he seems to weather the storm well. Then he meets Jean Tatlock.
Chapter 8
- Oppenheimers involvement with politics is beginning to rise now. He really has great intentions to help people with the funds he has so dutifully been blessed with throughout his life. Not thinking twice, he gives to things he believes are great cause but gives through things like the communist party. He also helps scientists escape nazi Germany. These will become problematic and also his newfound interest and voice in politics will rustle a few feathers.
Chapter 9
- The FBI monitored Oppenheimer like none other to see if he was a communist party member. Most of these things were illegal, but even then they could never pin party membership on him. He was just an intellectual who truly knew politics and donated time and money to those things he believed in.
Chapter 10
- It seems that Jean and Kitty were both Oppenheimers true lovers. Kitty was married twice before Robert which shows her fickle nature and almost immaturity/strong headed. But eventually Oppie marries Kitty and they had a child together.
Chapter 11
- Things are getting more stressed with communist sympathizers and people are losing jobs. Also science is evolving enough to make way for an atom bomb to be created.
Chapter 13
- The FBI really did a lot of illegal listening in on everyone they deemed a threat. Distrust of Oppenheimer was everywhere but he still was the best guy for the job of director of the Manhattan Project.
Chapter 14
- Many people and scientists especially were in favor of supporting the Russians to win the war since we were all fighting the Nazis. But many people were also against this because of the fight against communism and fascism. Oppenheimer was approached to help the Russians but did adequately label it as treason and thought nothing of this proposal as it was a small conversation. But apparently it became quite a scandal thus increasing Oppenheimers overall distrust from others.
Chapter 15
- Wow they literally almost assassinated Heisenberg that’s crazy. Los Alamos is fully underway and has about 3500 people and spends 7.5million dollars. Oppenheimer has adapted to his new role quite well and is a great leader.
Chapter 16
- Oppenheimer visits Jean for a day and even spends the night with her at her apartment. Being watched the whole time and Jean being a known communist party member, he is now being investigated even further for spreading secrets to the Soviets.
Chapter 17
- Groves is a real Greta person as he is one of the few that actually believes Oppenheimer to be unwaverable and an integrity filled person.
Chapter 18
- Jean Tatlock has committed suicide during one of her depressive states. It was slightly beloved by some that she was assassinated, maybe even by the CIA, but most believe it was just a clever suicide by Jean.
Chapter 19
- As time goes on, Los Alamos is feeling more like a trapped society than a utopia of any kind. People are working more and playing less making tensions run high. Kitty especially is feeling depression after having a baby and Robert almost never sees the baby due to his work. It is a tough time.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
A truly ponderous but definitive tome on Oppenheimer.
slow-paced
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Excellent and informative. Loved reading this for more info after watching the movie. I thought it was paced well and the writing was pretty easy to read and follow.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
slow-paced