71 pages • 2 hours read
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
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Book Brief
721
Biography • Nonfiction
Various Places • 20th Century
2005
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin is a biography detailing the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who led the US atomic bomb program during World War II. From his directorship at Los Alamos to the moral dilemmas following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the book chronicles his later efforts against nuclear proliferation and the tragic fallout of his 1954 security clearance hearing, amidst Cold War anti-Communist hysteria. Human experiences of mental health crises and distress are depicted in this work.
Informative
Mysterious
Contemplative
Challenging
Dark
Reviews & Readership
61,140 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin meticulously details J. Robert Oppenheimer's life, capturing his brilliance and controversies. Critics laud its thorough research and engaging prose, though some find the depth occasionally overwhelming. Overall, it’s a compelling, nuanced biography that offers profound insights into Oppenheimer and his era.
Who Should Read American Prometheus?
Readers who are fascinated by the intertwining of science, politics, and ethics would enjoy American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. Comparable to Walter Isaacson’s Einstein and Richard Rhodes’s The Making of the Atomic Bomb, this biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer appeals to those captivated by historical figures who shaped pivotal moments in modern history.
61,140 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
721
Biography • Nonfiction
Various Places • 20th Century
2005
Adult
18+ years
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