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J. Robert Oppenheimer: The Man Behind the Atom Bomb
This captivating biography delves into J. Robert Oppenheimer's groundbreaking work, from his early scientific achievements to leading the Manhattan Project and his complex legacy as the mind behind the atom bomb.
The brilliant theoretical physicist, J. Robert Oppenheimer is now known primarily for his work on the development of the atomic bomb from 1942-45 at Los Alamos in New Mexico. Though fascinated by the processes that created the bomb, he was horrified by its impact and the devastation wrought on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Chris McNab looks at the body of prior work that led to Oppenheimer's recruitment to the Manhattan Project as well as the development of the bomb itself. It also reflects on how his political views subsequently put him in opposition to the US government and military factions and ultimately ended his career as a nuclear physicist, despite his talents.
ABOUT THE The Arcturus Pioneers series brings together entertaining biographies of leading figures within scientific world and beyond, tracing their lives, legacy and the pioneering ideas that made them world-famous.
The brilliant theoretical physicist, J. Robert Oppenheimer is now known primarily for his work on the development of the atomic bomb from 1942-45 at Los Alamos in New Mexico. Though fascinated by the processes that created the bomb, he was horrified by its impact and the devastation wrought on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Chris McNab looks at the body of prior work that led to Oppenheimer's recruitment to the Manhattan Project as well as the development of the bomb itself. It also reflects on how his political views subsequently put him in opposition to the US government and military factions and ultimately ended his career as a nuclear physicist, despite his talents.
ABOUT THE The Arcturus Pioneers series brings together entertaining biographies of leading figures within scientific world and beyond, tracing their lives, legacy and the pioneering ideas that made them world-famous.
224 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2025
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About the author
Chris McNab
374 books56 followersDr Chris McNab has written over a hundred books in a career spanning over two decades. He is a historian with a specialisation in military history.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 21, 2025
J. Robert Oppenheimer had a fascinating and complex upbringing that shaped his extraordinary life. raised in a nonobservant Jewish family, he attended The Ethical Culture Society, a reformist school emphasizing "ethical imagination" and envisioning the world as it might be. reflecting on his childhood, Oppenheimer admitted, "My life as a child did not prepare me for the fact that the world is full of cruel and bitter things." known for being odd, neurotic, and prone to depression, he once told a friend, "I need physics more than friends."
despite social struggles, his brilliance was undeniable. He even read the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads in Sanskrit, which deeply influenced him, particularly during his work on the atomic bomb. A colleague noted, "He liked things that were difficult. he had a taste for the mystical and the cryptic. in May 1942, Oppenheimer was appointed director of fast-neutron research, eventually organizing the top-secret Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico. after the successful trinity test, he famously quoted the Gita: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."
later in life, accusations of Communist sympathies and national security risks tarnished his reputation. Yet, he found solace in lecturing on the intersection of science, culture, and humanity, pondering survival in the nuclear age.
this thoroughly researched and detailed account offers a compelling portrait of a brilliant yet troubled figure. highly recommended for those who live historical stories like me!
despite social struggles, his brilliance was undeniable. He even read the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads in Sanskrit, which deeply influenced him, particularly during his work on the atomic bomb. A colleague noted, "He liked things that were difficult. he had a taste for the mystical and the cryptic. in May 1942, Oppenheimer was appointed director of fast-neutron research, eventually organizing the top-secret Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico. after the successful trinity test, he famously quoted the Gita: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."
later in life, accusations of Communist sympathies and national security risks tarnished his reputation. Yet, he found solace in lecturing on the intersection of science, culture, and humanity, pondering survival in the nuclear age.
this thoroughly researched and detailed account offers a compelling portrait of a brilliant yet troubled figure. highly recommended for those who live historical stories like me!
April 20, 2025
Unfortunately, I missed seeing the 2023 movie “Oppenheimer “ and was anxious to read this biography. It is a fascinating biography that looks at his work developing the Atomic Bomb from 1942-1945 in Los Alamos NM. More importantly, the book concentrates on the extensive body of work that led to Dr. Oppenheimer’s recruitment to the Manhattan Project.
Dr. Oppenheimer was horrified by the devastation incurred at both Nagasaki & Hiroshima from the Atomic Bomb. Later, Dr. Oppenheimer’s political views were in opposition to the U.S Government that ended his career as a nuclear physicist. The toll on his family was heartbreaking as well.
Dr. Oppenheimer was horrified by the devastation incurred at both Nagasaki & Hiroshima from the Atomic Bomb. Later, Dr. Oppenheimer’s political views were in opposition to the U.S Government that ended his career as a nuclear physicist. The toll on his family was heartbreaking as well.
January 2, 2026
Przez ilość stron, spodziewałam się że książka będzie pełna niedomówień, a tak wcale nie było. Brakowało mi jedynie opinii autora książki na temat Oppiego, refleksji. Zdecydowanie dobra pozycja, którą warto przeczytać po obejrzeniu Oppenheimera.
January 11, 2025
A great biography of Oppenheimer. Simply written for people who don't want to read an in depth biography but is still an interesting and stimulating story about Oppenheimer's life.
June 25, 2025
something about this made me feel dirty
December 22, 2025
I learned a lot about J. Robert Oppenheimer. This book kept me interested and was easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews