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A review by mac168
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
5.0
This book provides an informative and intricate insight into the private and professional life of J Robert Oppenheimer, detailing his childhood and education, early career as a physicist, his role as director of Los Alamos and the father of the atomic bomb, as a political figure and hero of physics in Washington and as a ‘martyr’ of scientists as he becomes the victim of a McCarthyist witch hunt.
In capturing the ‘Triumph and Tragedy’ of Oppenheimer’s political career as the father of the Atomic Bomb, particularly in following his security hearings of ‘54, Bird and Sherwin offer a vision into contemporary America, charting the formulation of postwar diplomacy and ideology and the evolution of relations between scientists and the government, as they describe the decision not to restore Oppenheimer’s security clearance as a victory of McCarthyist hysteria, despite an absence of McCarthyism.
I found particularly interesting in this biography the way in which the authors tackled speculation surrounding Oppenheimer’s communist affiliations - providing a comprehensive account without swaying towards one side. Additionally, as well as detailing the American climate, one can learn about other key figures who lived alongside Oppenheimer. The book also doesn’t focus solely on Oppenheimer, with sections dedicated to his wife, brother, children and other significant figures in his life, such as Bohr.
I’ve always been interested in C20th American History, particularly politics in the postwar era and the Cold War, and Bird and Sherwin allow the opportunity to understand this period through the life of a man who was focal to shaping it. Therefore I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anybody who is interested in American History, the Atomic Bomb, the relationship between science and government and the role of science in policy, or anybody who just wants to read about a rather unique figure whose influence was pivotal in the trajectory of America.
In capturing the ‘Triumph and Tragedy’ of Oppenheimer’s political career as the father of the Atomic Bomb, particularly in following his security hearings of ‘54, Bird and Sherwin offer a vision into contemporary America, charting the formulation of postwar diplomacy and ideology and the evolution of relations between scientists and the government, as they describe the decision not to restore Oppenheimer’s security clearance as a victory of McCarthyist hysteria, despite an absence of McCarthyism.
I found particularly interesting in this biography the way in which the authors tackled speculation surrounding Oppenheimer’s communist affiliations - providing a comprehensive account without swaying towards one side. Additionally, as well as detailing the American climate, one can learn about other key figures who lived alongside Oppenheimer. The book also doesn’t focus solely on Oppenheimer, with sections dedicated to his wife, brother, children and other significant figures in his life, such as Bohr.
I’ve always been interested in C20th American History, particularly politics in the postwar era and the Cold War, and Bird and Sherwin allow the opportunity to understand this period through the life of a man who was focal to shaping it. Therefore I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anybody who is interested in American History, the Atomic Bomb, the relationship between science and government and the role of science in policy, or anybody who just wants to read about a rather unique figure whose influence was pivotal in the trajectory of America.