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The Making of the Atomic Bomb

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1986

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Book Brief

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Richard Rhodes

The Making of the Atomic Bomb

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1986
Book Details
Pages

896

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Global • 20th Century

Publication Year

1986

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes details the development of the atomic bomb in the 1930s and 1940s, chronicling how international scientists turned a theoretical possibility into a lethal weapon, culminating in the bomb's deployment on Hiroshima. The book covers the discovery of nuclear fission, scientific advancements, political dynamics, and ethical debates among scientists. The narrative includes descriptions of wartime atrocities.

Informative

Dark

Suspenseful

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.5

26,791 ratings

87%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Richard Rhodes's The Making of the Atomic Bomb is consistently praised for its thorough research, engaging narrative, and balanced portrayal of scientific and historical contexts. Readers commend its detailed character insights and accessible explanations of complex topics. Some find its dense information overwhelming, but overall, it's considered a monumental work in both science and history literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Making of the Atomic Bomb?

A reader who relishes in-depth historical narratives and complex scientific breakthroughs will enjoy Richard Rhodes' The Making of the Atomic Bomb. This book appeals to fans of Walter Isaacson's Einstein and David McCullough's The Wright Brothers, blending meticulous research with compelling storytelling.

4.5

26,791 ratings

87%

Loved it

10%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Richard Rhodes

A historian and journalist who authored the book and examines the development and impact of nuclear technology, drawing from his expertise in American history and warfare.

A pioneering physicist who discovered atomic electron orbits and developed the idea of complementarity; he also played a significant role in advancing physics in Denmark.

A physicist known for his leadership of the Los Alamos project during the development of the first atomic weapons, despite controversy surrounding his political affiliations.

Often referred to as the father of nuclear physics, he discovered the atomic nucleus and mentored future Nobel Prize-winning scientists.

A military general who oversaw the Manhattan Project, efficiently managing the construction of facilities and the coordination of scientific and military efforts.

An Italian physicist who constructed the first atomic reactor in the United States and contributed significantly to the development of atomic bomb technology.

A Hungarian physicist who foresaw the potential of atomic fission and worked to initiate the US nuclear program, promoting transparency among scientists.

A physicist whose Nobel Prize-winning discovery confirmed the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation; he played a key administrative role in the Manhattan Project.

A US Army Air Force colonel who trained crews for atomic bombing missions and piloted the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

A renowned physicist whose work on relativity and quantum mechanics redefined theoretical physics; he advocated for the US atomic bomb program during WWII.

A collective of Hungarian scientists, including notable figures like Szilard and Wigner, who were instrumental in atomic research during WWII, with several winning Nobel Prizes.

Book Details
Pages

896

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Global • 20th Century

Publication Year

1986

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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