Take a photo of a barcode or cover
camsand 's review for:
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
by Martin J. Sherwin, Kai Bird
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.