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Oliphant: The Australian genius who developed radar and showed Oppenheimer how to build the bomb
The extraordinary life of the true genius behind the atomic bomb, radar and much more, a maverick scientist from Australia who changed the course of history
'Genius, complex, authentic - Roland Perry captures all the essential characteristics of this globally recognised Australian who was influenced by the giants of science and then became one himself.' Dr Matt Agnew
6 August 1945: the United States launches the world's first nuclear attack on Japan. J. Robert Oppenheimer will be remembered as the father of the bomb, but it was Australian physicist Sir Mark Oliphant and his lab who discovered how it could be built. Faced with Hitler's determination to acquire atomic weapons, Oliphant shares his secret research with Oppenheimer and helps him build the first nuclear bomb. It is a decision both will come to regret.
Oliphant's brilliance was not limited to atomic science, he was also central to the development of radar, an innovation that saved Britain from Nazi invasion. After the war, amidst a slew of KGB scandals enveloping his team, Oliphant's push against US nuclear dominance drew suspicion from the CIA. He came under surveillance and was banned from entering the USA, the country he had given so much.
Based on his interviews with Mark Oliphant, bestselling author Roland Perry paints a compelling portrait of a giant of the 20th century. Perry traces Oliphant's life from his humble beginnings in Adelaide, early academic triumphs and collaboration with Sir Ernest Rutherford, his crucial involvement in radar and the Manhattan Project, to establishing the Australian National University and serving as a highly controversial Governor of South Australia.
More than just a chronicle of an extraordinary scientist, Oliphant reveals the legacy of a man who faced a moral reckoning in the bomb's aftermath and later transformed into a vocal advocate for peace and nuclear disarmament. It is a story of espionage, conflict, science and conscience, and a true Australian genius.
'This is a fascinating account of a brilliant Australian scientist who shaped history.' David Dufty, author of Charles Todd's Magnificent Obsession
PRAISE FOR ROLAND PERRY
'a superb work' John Howard on The outsider who won a war
'Compelling and wholly absorbing ... among the most remarkable Australians of his time.' Bob Carr on The outsider who won a war
'a sterling biography' Herald Sun on Don Bradman
'Genius, complex, authentic - Roland Perry captures all the essential characteristics of this globally recognised Australian who was influenced by the giants of science and then became one himself.' Dr Matt Agnew
6 August 1945: the United States launches the world's first nuclear attack on Japan. J. Robert Oppenheimer will be remembered as the father of the bomb, but it was Australian physicist Sir Mark Oliphant and his lab who discovered how it could be built. Faced with Hitler's determination to acquire atomic weapons, Oliphant shares his secret research with Oppenheimer and helps him build the first nuclear bomb. It is a decision both will come to regret.
Oliphant's brilliance was not limited to atomic science, he was also central to the development of radar, an innovation that saved Britain from Nazi invasion. After the war, amidst a slew of KGB scandals enveloping his team, Oliphant's push against US nuclear dominance drew suspicion from the CIA. He came under surveillance and was banned from entering the USA, the country he had given so much.
Based on his interviews with Mark Oliphant, bestselling author Roland Perry paints a compelling portrait of a giant of the 20th century. Perry traces Oliphant's life from his humble beginnings in Adelaide, early academic triumphs and collaboration with Sir Ernest Rutherford, his crucial involvement in radar and the Manhattan Project, to establishing the Australian National University and serving as a highly controversial Governor of South Australia.
More than just a chronicle of an extraordinary scientist, Oliphant reveals the legacy of a man who faced a moral reckoning in the bomb's aftermath and later transformed into a vocal advocate for peace and nuclear disarmament. It is a story of espionage, conflict, science and conscience, and a true Australian genius.
'This is a fascinating account of a brilliant Australian scientist who shaped history.' David Dufty, author of Charles Todd's Magnificent Obsession
PRAISE FOR ROLAND PERRY
'a superb work' John Howard on The outsider who won a war
'Compelling and wholly absorbing ... among the most remarkable Australians of his time.' Bob Carr on The outsider who won a war
'a sterling biography' Herald Sun on Don Bradman
- GenresBiography
386 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2025
7 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Roland Perry
62 books45 followersProfessor Roland Perry (born 11 October 1946) is a Melbourne-based author best known for his books on history, especially Australia in the two world wars. His Monash: The Outsider Who Won The War, won the Fellowship of Australian Writers' 'Melbourne University Publishing Award' in 2004. The judges described it as 'a model of the biographer's art. In the Queen's Birthday Honours of June 2011, Perry was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia 'for services to literature as an author.In October 2011, Monash University awarded Perry a Fellowship for 'high achievement as a writer, author, film producer and journalist.His sports books include biographies of Sir Donald Bradman, Steve Waugh, Keith Miller and Shane Warne. Perry has written on espionage, specialising in the British Cambridge Ring of Russian agents. He has also published three works of fiction and produced more than 20 documentary films. Perry has been a member of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council since 2006.
In late 2012 Perry accepted an adjunct appointment at Monash University as a Professor, with the title ‘Writer-in-Residence’ in the University’s Arts Faculty.
In late 2012 Perry accepted an adjunct appointment at Monash University as a Professor, with the title ‘Writer-in-Residence’ in the University’s Arts Faculty.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 24, 2026
A biography of physicist and outspoken public figure Mark Oliphant, a key player in the development of nuclear energy and the atomic bomb (the author claims THE key player). Perry says the writing of this biography was triggered by his frustration at the omission of Oliphant from the story portrayed in the film 'Oppenheimer'.
(As so often the case in Hollywood, the American hero 'wins the day' regardless of the facts, often appropriating the achievements of others).
The predominant weakness of this work on Oliphant is its very linear narrative (yes, I know it's a biography), and its repetition. There were some jarring moments for me where the author seems to have got the physics wrong, which is unfortunate in the biography of a physicist. However this biography opened up some doors for me - I will be reading more widely about some of the characters that appear - and I admire Perry's zeal in creating an 'approachable' biography of an Aussie genius whose story deserves to be more widely known. I understand Perry's frustration at the Hollywood misrepresentation, and I hope this work redresses the balance a little.
(As so often the case in Hollywood, the American hero 'wins the day' regardless of the facts, often appropriating the achievements of others).
The predominant weakness of this work on Oliphant is its very linear narrative (yes, I know it's a biography), and its repetition. There were some jarring moments for me where the author seems to have got the physics wrong, which is unfortunate in the biography of a physicist. However this biography opened up some doors for me - I will be reading more widely about some of the characters that appear - and I admire Perry's zeal in creating an 'approachable' biography of an Aussie genius whose story deserves to be more widely known. I understand Perry's frustration at the Hollywood misrepresentation, and I hope this work redresses the balance a little.
January 15, 2026
book summary:
This book makes a quick mention of Ophenheimer but largely entails the adult life and work of Mark Oliphant. He was raised with brothers and tinkered around in the garage. He met his wife through Church, an important aspect of his childhood and parents lives. Despite his parents convictions, Mark engaged on Theosophy and left religion. He worked in a library after school before he moved to England to study chemistry at Oxford (I think). After a miscarriage, they had a son who died young and then adopted a son. Their son died in his 20's from cancer. Mark left the field of helping to produce bombs and became a politician in Australia. He worked as a governor of South Australia and some of his views
are considered Conservative. He views incorporated the ideas that he didn't like firearms and war.
This book makes a quick mention of Ophenheimer but largely entails the adult life and work of Mark Oliphant. He was raised with brothers and tinkered around in the garage. He met his wife through Church, an important aspect of his childhood and parents lives. Despite his parents convictions, Mark engaged on Theosophy and left religion. He worked in a library after school before he moved to England to study chemistry at Oxford (I think). After a miscarriage, they had a son who died young and then adopted a son. Their son died in his 20's from cancer. Mark left the field of helping to produce bombs and became a politician in Australia. He worked as a governor of South Australia and some of his views
are considered Conservative. He views incorporated the ideas that he didn't like firearms and war.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2025
Was this written by AI? This was one of my thoughts as I read this tedious book. Repetition abounds. Perry’s extremely limited knowledge of physics and chemistry shines through (apparently Plutonium is an isotope of Uranium!). The last paragraph of the final chapter takes the cake. Perry endorses cold fusion and the thoroughly discredited Malcolm Bendall. Shame on the publisher for giving this horse manure space on bookstore shelves. Do not waste your time and money.
January 1, 2026
Excellent biography of the man and history of nuclear physics towards the development of the atomic bombs.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews