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Chasing Heisenberg: The Race for the Atom Bomb
After a devastating run of German victories, Allied troops are beginning to halt Hitler’s advance. But far from the battlefields, Allied scientists are struggling.
Intelligence reports put them a distant second behind the Germans in a competition that could determine the outcome of the the race to build the world’s first nuclear weapon.
For the Allies’ top scientists, the race is deeply personal. J. Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi, and Samuel Goudsmit have known Hitler’s chief atomic scientist, Werner Heisenberg, for years. A brilliant, world-renowned physicist and once a good friend, he’s anti-Nazi, but also a loyal German.
Fear that he’s put country first and is building a bomb haunts Oppenheimer and Fermi all through their months and years developing the Allied bomb. That same anxiety drives Goudsmit, now a top Allied intelligence officer, to risk his life as he attempts to track down Heisenberg and the site of Hitler’s suspected atom bomb program.
Intelligence reports put them a distant second behind the Germans in a competition that could determine the outcome of the the race to build the world’s first nuclear weapon.
For the Allies’ top scientists, the race is deeply personal. J. Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi, and Samuel Goudsmit have known Hitler’s chief atomic scientist, Werner Heisenberg, for years. A brilliant, world-renowned physicist and once a good friend, he’s anti-Nazi, but also a loyal German.
Fear that he’s put country first and is building a bomb haunts Oppenheimer and Fermi all through their months and years developing the Allied bomb. That same anxiety drives Goudsmit, now a top Allied intelligence officer, to risk his life as he attempts to track down Heisenberg and the site of Hitler’s suspected atom bomb program.
4 pages, Audible Audio
Published January 29, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 1, 2019
Pretty good and a fast paced read, what I learned the most from the book was the ALSOS Mission.
May 7, 2025
This abbreviated historical account is centred around the Allied mission to track down Heisenberg and prevent Nazi Germany from developing the atomic bomb. Alongside this frame, Chasing Heisenberg succeeds in offering a broad portrait of the key scientists involved through a technical lens that appeals to the public, without losing the narrative flow of the story. The book sprinkles in delightful quirks like Fermi dashing back and forth to his Geiger counter at the University of Rome, or Goudsmit’s almost cinematic spy work—adding a breath of life and history to the science. The atomic bomb’s science is woven seamlessly into the several daring stories of World War II, making it intelligible to a lay audience without dumbing it down, and teach something along the way.
The pithy book achieves what is sets out to do, and is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in the history of the atomic bomb project of the era written in a gripping, entertaining way leaving the reader wanting for more.
The pithy book achieves what is sets out to do, and is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in the history of the atomic bomb project of the era written in a gripping, entertaining way leaving the reader wanting for more.
July 10, 2018
Less of a book, more of a longish essay on Germany's efforts to build an atomic bomb and The Manhattan Project. The last 20% of the book is a bibliography and footnotes, the work is only about 140 pages long. The science gets short shrift, for example, the U235 separation methods gets extremely glosssed over, the mechanics and outcomes of splitting the atom are barely described, and the U238 to Pu239 transition misidentified and poorly described. Trinity appears only as a date, with none of the details or drama given to the reader. Even where the book might have focused, on Heisenberg's work and beliefs about the German nuclear project, was discussed only briefly.
March 6, 2020
This can be a rather fun (if you are unfamiliar with the topic), rather short read. If you are a beginner in looking at the history of nuclear technology and weapons, this would be an excellent resource to start with. If you have read extensively on nuclear history, this book adds very little that you won't have already seen before. It somewhat focuses on Heisenberg and how many scientists feared that he would lead the Germans to nuclear weapons, but it is more of a general history. It covers the Manhattan project and does a fairly good job of dramatizing the story by revealing facts as they may have become apparent to scientists at the time. This sometimes led me to think the author was being a bit too insistent on the Germans being close to a nuclear weapon, though it clears this up at the end of the book. Indeed, the scientists at the time perceived that the Germans were close, and that was a major driver.
Otherwise, it does not go into too much detail on nuclear weapons themselves. There are couple of odd phrasings here or there about them that I could nitpick, but later statements in the book make it clear that the incorrect reading is not what the author meant. With all of that, I recommend if you don't know much about this topic, but wouldn't recommend if you are looking for new insights.
Otherwise, it does not go into too much detail on nuclear weapons themselves. There are couple of odd phrasings here or there about them that I could nitpick, but later statements in the book make it clear that the incorrect reading is not what the author meant. With all of that, I recommend if you don't know much about this topic, but wouldn't recommend if you are looking for new insights.
March 3, 2019
Great historical short on the "race" for the atomic bomb, focusing on 3 main figures, Werner Heisenberg, Enrico Fermi, and Bob Oppenheimer, w/ a minor, but important focus on Sam Goudsmit, the Allied Physicist tasked to closely follow the AEF in France after Normandy to uncover clues about Axis efforts at building a nuclear bomb.
Although many people disparage "personality-driven" general nonfiction science and history, this one executes it very well. The science component is very brief. One will not get a clearer picture of atoms or QM from this book. Some small portion of the engineering challenges faced by the group at Los Alamos is discussed, but these also at a minimum.
The text does a good job of going over the background, motivations, and perspectives of the 4 individuals. Fermi, though not Jewish, feared for his wife and children who were, so they fled. Oppenheimer had some early collisions w/ Heisenberg and was ambitious to make his mark on history. Heisenberg, a staunch German nationalist, but not a Nazi, was ideologically committed to "preserving German science" pass the death of the regime (though the book makes clear he wouldn't have minded if the regime prevailed). Which is why he stayed in Germany. This decision blighted his name for the rest of his life. Sam Goudsmit, is both the most humble character in this cast of giants and most tragic. His centrality in the social network of the physicist in Europe made him a natural to lead the American efforts to investigate claims of Germany's bomb program once France was liberated. Yet, his acceptance of this role is more motivated by his desire to find his parents in Denmark, who he left before the Germans occupied the country. He quickly discovers they were both sent to the camps and did not survive.
The "chase" of Heisenberg has two meanings, the first being the race to beat the Germans to the weapon. The second meaning refers to the actual hunt for Heisenberg in the 2nd half of the war. It turns out that the Allies weren't ever engaged in a competitive race w/ the Germans. The question the book poses towards the end is, why? It hints that Heisenberg purposely steered German planners away from the prospects of building the bomb. Maybe, but the Germans clearly were dealt a tremendous blow in their science/engineering talent pool when so many of their top people left the country (and much of western Europe) for their safety or disgust w/ the regime. It seems just as likely that the Germans were simply incapable of mustering the mass of talent to engage in such a massive engineering enterprise. Even the other so-called "wunderwaffe" the Germans deployed like the flying wing, jets, and giant gun artillery were based on technology/plans that were developed or significantly started during the Weimer period. Besides the work/designs of the Horton brothers, many of which were impractical, there's very little evidence that the Nazis were all that capable of pushing their society to do innovative things in science and engineering, despite the pop-culture representations to the contrary.
Overall, a great value at 5 bucks. Interesting story, goes well w/ biography "Beyond Uncertainty" on Heisenberg, also available on Audible. Recommended
Although many people disparage "personality-driven" general nonfiction science and history, this one executes it very well. The science component is very brief. One will not get a clearer picture of atoms or QM from this book. Some small portion of the engineering challenges faced by the group at Los Alamos is discussed, but these also at a minimum.
The text does a good job of going over the background, motivations, and perspectives of the 4 individuals. Fermi, though not Jewish, feared for his wife and children who were, so they fled. Oppenheimer had some early collisions w/ Heisenberg and was ambitious to make his mark on history. Heisenberg, a staunch German nationalist, but not a Nazi, was ideologically committed to "preserving German science" pass the death of the regime (though the book makes clear he wouldn't have minded if the regime prevailed). Which is why he stayed in Germany. This decision blighted his name for the rest of his life. Sam Goudsmit, is both the most humble character in this cast of giants and most tragic. His centrality in the social network of the physicist in Europe made him a natural to lead the American efforts to investigate claims of Germany's bomb program once France was liberated. Yet, his acceptance of this role is more motivated by his desire to find his parents in Denmark, who he left before the Germans occupied the country. He quickly discovers they were both sent to the camps and did not survive.
The "chase" of Heisenberg has two meanings, the first being the race to beat the Germans to the weapon. The second meaning refers to the actual hunt for Heisenberg in the 2nd half of the war. It turns out that the Allies weren't ever engaged in a competitive race w/ the Germans. The question the book poses towards the end is, why? It hints that Heisenberg purposely steered German planners away from the prospects of building the bomb. Maybe, but the Germans clearly were dealt a tremendous blow in their science/engineering talent pool when so many of their top people left the country (and much of western Europe) for their safety or disgust w/ the regime. It seems just as likely that the Germans were simply incapable of mustering the mass of talent to engage in such a massive engineering enterprise. Even the other so-called "wunderwaffe" the Germans deployed like the flying wing, jets, and giant gun artillery were based on technology/plans that were developed or significantly started during the Weimer period. Besides the work/designs of the Horton brothers, many of which were impractical, there's very little evidence that the Nazis were all that capable of pushing their society to do innovative things in science and engineering, despite the pop-culture representations to the contrary.
Overall, a great value at 5 bucks. Interesting story, goes well w/ biography "Beyond Uncertainty" on Heisenberg, also available on Audible. Recommended
May 31, 2018
Great story about the race for the atomic bomb. There are actually three stories here. One is part biographies about four of the theoretical physicists who strove to be the ones who created the atomic bomb. And as the world of theoretical physicists in the 1930s was small, they all knew each other personally. Heisenberg was a german nationalist, and stayed in Germany and was pressed into service for the cause of German atomic science. Fermi was Italian, and fled to the U.S. with his Jewish wife before the fascists could grab them. Oppenheimer and Goudsmit both had Jewish family in Europe. And Fermi, Oppenheimer,and Goudsmit viewed with horror the possibility that Heisenberg may lead Nazi Germany to the atomic bomb.
The second story was a story of how science research development is done. It shows the four scientists, along with others who worked alongside them, conducting research, doing theoretical work and dealing with obstacles, dead-ends, and working through results they did not understand until they developed potential pathways to a working atomic device. And also the infrastructure that entire nations put behind them to exploit the pathways they had found. So as the physicist worked through uncertainties, the U.S. Army and Nazi Germany had to make decisions on how to support their physicists and to build the industrial base that would be needed to build the atomic bomb when the physicists did figured out how to make it work.
The third storyline was how the Allies were trying to stop Nazi Germany. While the physicists did their work, they also told the Allies what an atomic industrial base would look like. So the allies and the resistance in occupied Europe attacked this industrial base. With the soldiers, airmen, and resistance sacrificing themselves on the basis that their commanders said that the target was important without being told why.
The story is both worth being told and it is told well. Of a time when a country believed their scientists and provided them with resources in a race, and the fear of Nazi domination united a nation. A time that is not longer here.
The second story was a story of how science research development is done. It shows the four scientists, along with others who worked alongside them, conducting research, doing theoretical work and dealing with obstacles, dead-ends, and working through results they did not understand until they developed potential pathways to a working atomic device. And also the infrastructure that entire nations put behind them to exploit the pathways they had found. So as the physicist worked through uncertainties, the U.S. Army and Nazi Germany had to make decisions on how to support their physicists and to build the industrial base that would be needed to build the atomic bomb when the physicists did figured out how to make it work.
The third storyline was how the Allies were trying to stop Nazi Germany. While the physicists did their work, they also told the Allies what an atomic industrial base would look like. So the allies and the resistance in occupied Europe attacked this industrial base. With the soldiers, airmen, and resistance sacrificing themselves on the basis that their commanders said that the target was important without being told why.
The story is both worth being told and it is told well. Of a time when a country believed their scientists and provided them with resources in a race, and the fear of Nazi domination united a nation. A time that is not longer here.
April 11, 2018
This is a great book
This book covers a subject I didn't know about - the rivalries of American vs. German physicists in building the atomic bomb. I found it amazingly clear and therefore it was easy to understand the technical explanations. It was truly interesting to learn of the people involved and why the project was so important at a personal level. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in World War II. I would also recommend it to intelligent middle school and high school students with an interest or struggle with physics. It will make the subject accessible and exciting.
This book covers a subject I didn't know about - the rivalries of American vs. German physicists in building the atomic bomb. I found it amazingly clear and therefore it was easy to understand the technical explanations. It was truly interesting to learn of the people involved and why the project was so important at a personal level. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in World War II. I would also recommend it to intelligent middle school and high school students with an interest or struggle with physics. It will make the subject accessible and exciting.
December 19, 2020
World War II was one of the darkest times in history. The pages that stand stark through discourses by historians tell us stories from an ominous age which saw horrible travesties metted upon humanity. And yet, what is largely unspoken is how close we came to abject dystopia which could have happened had the Nazi regime won the secret Atomic War.
Joseloff's account of this scientific war that took behind the scenes of the "war to end all wars" is a nail-biting race that could have gone either way with the whisker of a fickle fate. At the cusp of the war, eminent physicists Enrico Fermi, Samuel Goudsmit and Robert Oppenheimer joined the Allies, fleeing Hitler's powerful boots that threatened the entirety of Europe. While they took the moral high ground, their colleague and an equally eminent scientist Werner Heisenberg stayed behind to make sure that Germany didn't lose its scientific mettle. Call it his latent nationalism or a weakness for the Nazi promise of unlimited resources, Heisenberg's position had become abundantly clear for the American side and the die had been cast.
As the world clashed on the batteground, Oppenheimer led the infamous Project Manhattan in a frenzied race to outwit Heisenberg in creating the holy grail of nuclear prowess. Through little known anecdotes and correspondence between the two sides, Joseloff captivates the reader through not just the individual journeys of the Nobel laureates but also captures the impossible dilemma they were put in - creating a weapon of imaginable destruction. But sometimes difficult choices were the only choices when the stakes meant Hitler gaining nuclear superiority and plunging the world into a hellscape.
Chasing Heisenberg is a fast-placed, blistering read that takes you right into the middle of a tug of war that paved the way for the future of mankind through hard, meticulous, science and conviction. Einstein once said that - "God doesn't play dice". But this time the cosmic gamble had been played, until men turned the table.
Joseloff's account of this scientific war that took behind the scenes of the "war to end all wars" is a nail-biting race that could have gone either way with the whisker of a fickle fate. At the cusp of the war, eminent physicists Enrico Fermi, Samuel Goudsmit and Robert Oppenheimer joined the Allies, fleeing Hitler's powerful boots that threatened the entirety of Europe. While they took the moral high ground, their colleague and an equally eminent scientist Werner Heisenberg stayed behind to make sure that Germany didn't lose its scientific mettle. Call it his latent nationalism or a weakness for the Nazi promise of unlimited resources, Heisenberg's position had become abundantly clear for the American side and the die had been cast.
As the world clashed on the batteground, Oppenheimer led the infamous Project Manhattan in a frenzied race to outwit Heisenberg in creating the holy grail of nuclear prowess. Through little known anecdotes and correspondence between the two sides, Joseloff captivates the reader through not just the individual journeys of the Nobel laureates but also captures the impossible dilemma they were put in - creating a weapon of imaginable destruction. But sometimes difficult choices were the only choices when the stakes meant Hitler gaining nuclear superiority and plunging the world into a hellscape.
Chasing Heisenberg is a fast-placed, blistering read that takes you right into the middle of a tug of war that paved the way for the future of mankind through hard, meticulous, science and conviction. Einstein once said that - "God doesn't play dice". But this time the cosmic gamble had been played, until men turned the table.
August 24, 2019
Why the title Chasing Heisenberg? Because German physicists had discovered the fission process in 1938 and because one of the more prominent physicists in the world, Werner Heisenberg had remained in Germany after war broke out in 1939, such that the Germans had a two-year head start over the Americans in developing an atomic bomb, there were very real concerns that the Germans would field an atomic bomb and use it to reverse any defeats they had suffered on the battlefield. In other words, the Manhattan project scientists were racing against what they considered probable German progress on the bomb. For a variety of reasons that are well-documented in David Irving’s book, German progress proved to be more mythical than real, and the British and Americans fearing a potential German atomic bomb did not breathe easy until they could confirm with solid intelligence that such a wunderwaffe did in fact not exist.
If you are looking for a high-level overview of the American and German atomic bomb programs that doesn’t take very long to read, this book might be for you. If, on the other hand, you are like me and prefer a lot of detailed information, I recommend:
• The Making of the Atomic Bomb, by Richard Rhodes
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
• The German Atomic Bomb, by David Irving
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The book also covers the Operation Alsos search for German nuclear technology, materials and scientists as American, British and French forces overran German controlled territory. Since I haven’t read a book dedicated to Operation Alsos, I cannot recommend one, but the bibliography of this book includes a memoir by Samuel Goudsmit, a physicist who was heavily involved in that operation and who in the 1920s had trained under Heisenberg.
If you are looking for a high-level overview of the American and German atomic bomb programs that doesn’t take very long to read, this book might be for you. If, on the other hand, you are like me and prefer a lot of detailed information, I recommend:
• The Making of the Atomic Bomb, by Richard Rhodes
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
• The German Atomic Bomb, by David Irving
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The book also covers the Operation Alsos search for German nuclear technology, materials and scientists as American, British and French forces overran German controlled territory. Since I haven’t read a book dedicated to Operation Alsos, I cannot recommend one, but the bibliography of this book includes a memoir by Samuel Goudsmit, a physicist who was heavily involved in that operation and who in the 1920s had trained under Heisenberg.
March 3, 2019
No Race at All
This is an excellent reading of the stories and the men who were in the race to develop the atom bomb. At times this book reads like a summary.
The science was there in theory on how to develop a fissionable device that could be used as a weapon. The race to develop a bomb was really about mastering all of the little details so that a working bomb could be delivered for use as a weapon of war. Both the Germans and the Americans were following the same developmental path to the production of a working weapon to win a war for their side.
At some point in this “race”, the two sides went down different paths towards the completion of their work. There is so much speculation about the divided loyalties of the German scientists on the project. Was the project deliberately slowed to keep the German military from getting the bomb? Speculation about the role of Heisenberg, on this question, has never been determined to the complete satisfaction of historians.
The Manhattan Project team was made constantly aware of their German competition. General Groves, who headed the American effort for the military, never let them forget. But the nagging question remains. Was this really a race by two teams on different continents, on different sides of the war. One team on the German side got bogged down in their effort or were they sabotaged. Meanwhile, the American team led by J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan team forged ahead. Historians are still arguing about this important history. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, some of these details we will never know.
This is an excellent reading of the stories and the men who were in the race to develop the atom bomb. At times this book reads like a summary.
The science was there in theory on how to develop a fissionable device that could be used as a weapon. The race to develop a bomb was really about mastering all of the little details so that a working bomb could be delivered for use as a weapon of war. Both the Germans and the Americans were following the same developmental path to the production of a working weapon to win a war for their side.
At some point in this “race”, the two sides went down different paths towards the completion of their work. There is so much speculation about the divided loyalties of the German scientists on the project. Was the project deliberately slowed to keep the German military from getting the bomb? Speculation about the role of Heisenberg, on this question, has never been determined to the complete satisfaction of historians.
The Manhattan Project team was made constantly aware of their German competition. General Groves, who headed the American effort for the military, never let them forget. But the nagging question remains. Was this really a race by two teams on different continents, on different sides of the war. One team on the German side got bogged down in their effort or were they sabotaged. Meanwhile, the American team led by J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan team forged ahead. Historians are still arguing about this important history. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, some of these details we will never know.
May 9, 2018
Pretty good book. I had just finished reading a book "The Winter Fortress" which was on the Norwegian and British bombing of the site in Norway that was making heavy water for the Nazi's. Or at least they were trying to. So this one seemed to fit in with that particular book. Everyone knows Heisenberg Principle if you are in the sciences. But it isn't broadcast as widely that he worked for the Nazis in their attempt to get nuclear weapons before the Americans did. Luckily, the Nazis were no where close to achieving that goal, but it is interesting to read about the many men and women (Lise Meitner) who prior to World War II, worked together and knew each other. Many of the great physicists left Europe when they could see where the winds were blowing with Hitler in power, but Heinsenberg refused to do so, and supported his country. Understand Heisenberg's thought process a little bit, helps people to understand exactly how dangerous Nationalism (in any country) is.
Men who knew Heisenberg actually worked to prevent him from attaining a nuclear weapon. There was a massive hunt to find him towards the end of the war, and both the military and the others involved in the U.S. in producing the atom bomb were very relieved to find that the Germans were not even close.
The writing of this book was fine. My big problem, is the book raised more questions than it actually solved for me. Which means I will have to further read about all these men, including Heisenberg to fill in the gaps of my knowledge. Good book, but not a great one.
Men who knew Heisenberg actually worked to prevent him from attaining a nuclear weapon. There was a massive hunt to find him towards the end of the war, and both the military and the others involved in the U.S. in producing the atom bomb were very relieved to find that the Germans were not even close.
The writing of this book was fine. My big problem, is the book raised more questions than it actually solved for me. Which means I will have to further read about all these men, including Heisenberg to fill in the gaps of my knowledge. Good book, but not a great one.
September 8, 2018
The race that wasn’t
The book goes into great detail describing how scientist and military personnel were frantic to create “the bomb” before Hitler could do so and possibly win the war for Germany. I really liked the depiction of J. Robert Oppenheimer who rose to the occasion of directing the many scientists needed to develop the technology needed to create this terrible weapon.
The book does leave the reader wondering whether Heisenberg really had the technical developmental ability to use his “uranium engine” (nuclear reactor) to develop fuel needed for an atomic bomb or even if he understood the means by which to amass and purify the U235 needed for his reactor. Sometimes theoretical thinkers have difficulty making the leap to the practical realities and implementations of their brilliant theoretical enterprise. Maybe he did have that but was simply not willing to give this war-ending weapon to the Fuhrer. The book hints at that but does not really settle it.
I now know more about the race to develop the atom bomb, the personalities involved, and the momentous effort and resources needed to get there.
The book goes into great detail describing how scientist and military personnel were frantic to create “the bomb” before Hitler could do so and possibly win the war for Germany. I really liked the depiction of J. Robert Oppenheimer who rose to the occasion of directing the many scientists needed to develop the technology needed to create this terrible weapon.
The book does leave the reader wondering whether Heisenberg really had the technical developmental ability to use his “uranium engine” (nuclear reactor) to develop fuel needed for an atomic bomb or even if he understood the means by which to amass and purify the U235 needed for his reactor. Sometimes theoretical thinkers have difficulty making the leap to the practical realities and implementations of their brilliant theoretical enterprise. Maybe he did have that but was simply not willing to give this war-ending weapon to the Fuhrer. The book hints at that but does not really settle it.
I now know more about the race to develop the atom bomb, the personalities involved, and the momentous effort and resources needed to get there.
October 15, 2019
Even if physics isn’t your thing, if you watched “ The Big Bang Theory” during the last 12 years, you heard the names prominent in this story - Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi and most certainly Werner Heisenberg.
Theoretical physics in the 1930s was a pretty small boys club and these guy knew and were friendly with one another - until 1939 - when Hitler’s grand plan put them at odds in the most grand way with the fate of the world in the balance.
Ironically, all three were Jewish or had Jewish ties, and all three would have conflicted National and personal loyalties to sort out.
We know how the story worked it, but with just a twist of fate or two, it might have gone the other way.
This book offers a fascinating look into these men and how the result might have been different. Thank goodness it didn’t.
Theoretical physics in the 1930s was a pretty small boys club and these guy knew and were friendly with one another - until 1939 - when Hitler’s grand plan put them at odds in the most grand way with the fate of the world in the balance.
Ironically, all three were Jewish or had Jewish ties, and all three would have conflicted National and personal loyalties to sort out.
We know how the story worked it, but with just a twist of fate or two, it might have gone the other way.
This book offers a fascinating look into these men and how the result might have been different. Thank goodness it didn’t.
July 3, 2019
A primer on nuclear physics
A very limited primer as a mountain of education would be necessary to become a nuclear physicist and fully understand the science. Makes one appreciate the brain power and effort put into the Manhattan project. Learned a little bit but a nuclear physicist I'm not. A great insight into one of the most significant achievements in WWII. It ended the war and probably saved 2 million lives. Let's hope it will never again be necessary to use it.
I gave it only 4 stars as it skipped over the Trinity test, the first atomic bomb explosion in the desert near Los Alamos that proved the detonation system worked prior to dropping the first bomb on Hiroshima.
A very limited primer as a mountain of education would be necessary to become a nuclear physicist and fully understand the science. Makes one appreciate the brain power and effort put into the Manhattan project. Learned a little bit but a nuclear physicist I'm not. A great insight into one of the most significant achievements in WWII. It ended the war and probably saved 2 million lives. Let's hope it will never again be necessary to use it.
I gave it only 4 stars as it skipped over the Trinity test, the first atomic bomb explosion in the desert near Los Alamos that proved the detonation system worked prior to dropping the first bomb on Hiroshima.
June 8, 2018
Interesting, especially the background of many of the physicists involved on both sides, Fermi, Bohr, Heisenberg, Oppenheimer, Goudsmit, some of the theoretical branch of physics, others of the experimental branch, and their contributions to the development of the atomic bomb and the nuclear reactor. Was it a race? One side thought so, the other, not so much. The book did get me thinking, left alone to do their own research, many of the aforementioned did work together or shared their knowledge prior to the war, what benefits could they have come up with for mankind other than straddling us with a weapon? It still would have happened, but how long after, and by whom?
June 20, 2018
Quick read, interesting but depressing
Depressing how endlessly self-justifying we humans are. No matter that they served the greatest evil in the history of the world, the German scientists found ways to excuse themselves. And we excused them too. Werner Von Braun once said living in Nazi Germany was like living in hell. Saul Bellow said, "But who was really in hell? Von Braun or the people of London and Antwerp?" This book leaves you with the impression that great scientists care for their reputations above all, then their particular scientific specialty. Humanity is somewhere way down on the list.
Depressing how endlessly self-justifying we humans are. No matter that they served the greatest evil in the history of the world, the German scientists found ways to excuse themselves. And we excused them too. Werner Von Braun once said living in Nazi Germany was like living in hell. Saul Bellow said, "But who was really in hell? Von Braun or the people of London and Antwerp?" This book leaves you with the impression that great scientists care for their reputations above all, then their particular scientific specialty. Humanity is somewhere way down on the list.
August 9, 2019
This was a fascinating look at the scientists' perspectives on the atom bomb. There was a sort of politics and nationalism that spread into both sides, and to see how the countries and the scientists navigated it all was amazing.
Each side raced to build the most destructive bomb. Some aspects were discovered by accident, others by rigorous trial and error, but ALL of it was intense and stressful for everyone involved. While Hitler kept promising a war-ending bomb, the Allies raced to develop theirs first.
An excellent storyline that was well written and well researched. I knew almost none of this information before.
Each side raced to build the most destructive bomb. Some aspects were discovered by accident, others by rigorous trial and error, but ALL of it was intense and stressful for everyone involved. While Hitler kept promising a war-ending bomb, the Allies raced to develop theirs first.
An excellent storyline that was well written and well researched. I knew almost none of this information before.
August 12, 2018
An interesting and quick read about American vs. German race to build the atom bomb. It is amazing how large the figure of German scientist Werner Heisenberg loomed in the minds of the American scientists at Los Alamos. He was the bogeyman that kept them up at night, when the reality was that he and his German team never had a chance to create even a workable reactor, let alone a bomb. Yet the fear engendered by Heisenberg's supposed superiority forced the Americans to work far faster than they ever would have otherwise. And the rest, as they say, is history...
August 5, 2020
This book presents a good overview of the scientific conflict between Axis and Allied atomic bomb regimes. Unfortunately it is not long enough to be comprehensive of either the American or the German projects. It also uses some quotes from Oppenheimer's security hearings out of context, further deepening the popular perception that Oppenheimer was anything other than a loyal American patriot during his time as the director of the Manhattan Project. Other than these qualms, I found it to be well-researched and written in a very accessible way to non-scientists.
November 7, 2020
A look at WW2 through the eyes of the most brilliant minds of their times racing to build the ultimate weapon. Robert Oppenheimer working for the allies is doing all he can to build an Atom Bomb fast se than his former friend and leading German Physicist Werner Heisenberg! A behind the scenes look at the war of the minds!
I thought this was an incredibly well written book. I couldn’t put it down as I found myself very interested in the history of the “Race to the Atom Bomb” I really enjoyed this book and the history behind it!
I thought this was an incredibly well written book. I couldn’t put it down as I found myself very interested in the history of the “Race to the Atom Bomb” I really enjoyed this book and the history behind it!
July 19, 2021
Deadly Competition
The U.S. believed Germany to be on its way to building the atom bomb when, in fact, they were not even close. Heisenberg was the leading physicist in the world and the developer of the science of quantum mechanics winning a Noble prize. We find that he did not initiate a program to build a bomb but ra5her a nuclear reactor one 5hat could provide power to the machines of war. The author has a good understanding of the basic physics that was utilized to construct the bomb.
The U.S. believed Germany to be on its way to building the atom bomb when, in fact, they were not even close. Heisenberg was the leading physicist in the world and the developer of the science of quantum mechanics winning a Noble prize. We find that he did not initiate a program to build a bomb but ra5her a nuclear reactor one 5hat could provide power to the machines of war. The author has a good understanding of the basic physics that was utilized to construct the bomb.
April 20, 2018
The Race for the Big Blast
Rated this wonderful Amazon Single a five because it carefully and clearly detailed the WWII nuclear race for the bomb. Lively characters and difficult materials made easier to understand all at a purposeful pace. The leading characters come to life. The big issues are non-judgementmentaly addressed. In the best of the terms, it was almost like a lively paced noir novel.
Rated this wonderful Amazon Single a five because it carefully and clearly detailed the WWII nuclear race for the bomb. Lively characters and difficult materials made easier to understand all at a purposeful pace. The leading characters come to life. The big issues are non-judgementmentaly addressed. In the best of the terms, it was almost like a lively paced noir novel.
September 16, 2018
I liked the information but hated the style
The quick pace of the book was dizzying and the timeline was confusing at times as the author jumped back and forth in the timeline, sometimes in the same chapter. However, I am sure this book took a lot of hard work to write accurately and to remain factual. It felt like a documentary script, which is maybe what the author had in mind when he started. That’s why the 3 stars.
The quick pace of the book was dizzying and the timeline was confusing at times as the author jumped back and forth in the timeline, sometimes in the same chapter. However, I am sure this book took a lot of hard work to write accurately and to remain factual. It felt like a documentary script, which is maybe what the author had in mind when he started. That’s why the 3 stars.
September 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I think I enjoyed it more than most books on this topic because it was neither of the following: 1) not wholly focused on the possible ethical/conscience battles the physicists faced, and 2) wasn’t overly technical and primarily focused on explaining the hard physics of their successes and failures. It really was a well rounded look at the people, impact the war, and the effect the discovery of a sustained fission reaction had on the study of physics and the world.
December 8, 2018
It was interesting to learn how far that Nazi Germany had gotten in their part of the nuclear arms race. With Heisenberg at the head of the German research, and Oppenheimer leading in the US, neither side knew where the opposition stood in this race. I have read a number of books about the Manhattan Project in the past, but I learned a number of new items from this book, marketing me very glad I read it.
June 8, 2020
An in-depth look at one of the deepest secrets of WWII.
This short book provides insights of one of the secret races between the Axis and Allies in WWII, the nuclear bomb programs of Germany and the US turned out to be not much of a race really but thankfully, no one was willing to bet on that. Me. Joseloff dose an excellent job of telling this story in a clear and succinct manner, we'll worth the read.
This short book provides insights of one of the secret races between the Axis and Allies in WWII, the nuclear bomb programs of Germany and the US turned out to be not much of a race really but thankfully, no one was willing to bet on that. Me. Joseloff dose an excellent job of telling this story in a clear and succinct manner, we'll worth the read.
August 28, 2018
History of the atomic bomb scientists made interesting
This book was very knowledgeable about the people in both countries who had been trying to get a usable bomb and their moral, personal experience with their involvement in creating one both for the American military as well as those scientists in Germany in World War Ii. Written simply but very complete.
This book was very knowledgeable about the people in both countries who had been trying to get a usable bomb and their moral, personal experience with their involvement in creating one both for the American military as well as those scientists in Germany in World War Ii. Written simply but very complete.
September 4, 2018
The Uncertainty Principle
This is a remarkable story, "Chasing Heisenberg", the German scientist believed to working on Hitler's "wunderwaffen" or super weapon. American scientists and government were racing against the clock and belief Heisenberg and his colleagues would be the first to develop the Atomic bomb, the "uncertainty principle", history in full view.
This is a remarkable story, "Chasing Heisenberg", the German scientist believed to working on Hitler's "wunderwaffen" or super weapon. American scientists and government were racing against the clock and belief Heisenberg and his colleagues would be the first to develop the Atomic bomb, the "uncertainty principle", history in full view.
September 11, 2018
People, not particlea
A completely non-technical story of overhyped German a-bomb research and paranoia driven Manhattan project. Reasonably well written, albeit in style of a TV documentary, as author himself points out in acknowledgements. A reminder on the fact that the world is a small place and a world of narrow specialisation is even narrower
A completely non-technical story of overhyped German a-bomb research and paranoia driven Manhattan project. Reasonably well written, albeit in style of a TV documentary, as author himself points out in acknowledgements. A reminder on the fact that the world is a small place and a world of narrow specialisation is even narrower
September 26, 2018
Enlightening
I remember seeing "Fat Man and Little Boy," when it first appeared in theaters. It gave a great account of America's side of the nuclear story. This book gives the rest of the picture. It really was a complicated time. I really liked learning about all the different sides. The war was insane in so many ways. This is one more.
I remember seeing "Fat Man and Little Boy," when it first appeared in theaters. It gave a great account of America's side of the nuclear story. This book gives the rest of the picture. It really was a complicated time. I really liked learning about all the different sides. The war was insane in so many ways. This is one more.
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