The Atomic Bomb

by Michael Blow

On August 6 and 9, 1945, in the last significant blows of World War II, American B-29 bombers dropped atomic warheads on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Within a week, the Japanese surrendered. The war was over, but the Atomic Age was just beginning. Here, from journalist and historian Michael Blow, is the dramatic story of America’s Manhattan Project, which produced the world’s first atomic weapons.

Genres: War, History, Physics, Nonfiction

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2015

Reviews

[Glen Chern · Rating 5 out of 5]

In reading the development of the atomic bomb, I had no idea that so many scientists had contributed in so many ways to it’s development. So much of the credit for the bomb was given to those scientists who became part of the Manhattan Project in 1942, including Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi, Edward Lawrence, Edward Teller and so many others. I learned that the project hit numerous snags throughout the period of 1942 to 1945.

While we have president Franklin Delano Roosevelt to thanks for approving the project in 1942, he did not live to see even the first test of the bomb in July 1945. That decision to bomb Japan had to be made by president Harry Truman. The author, Michael Blow, brings to life the awesome decision Truman had to make. The author describes the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and Nagasaki three days later on August 9.

What is in lightning about this narrative is Japan’s struggle to decide whether or not to surrender to the US following the second explosion. They eventually made the right decision which culminated with the surrender to general Douglas MacArthur in September of that year.

In the final chapter of this volume, they author discusses the development of the hydrogen bomb, and they division between some of the members of the Manhattan Project and others who opposed it. Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein both opposed the development of the H bomb while Edward Teller was among those who wanted to continue to develop that weapon.

While the atomic bomb was used to end World War II, the development of atomic energy is still with us today in the form of many nuclear reactors throughout the United States that generate a growing amount of energy in our cities. It is the silver lining that emerged from two devastating explosions over Japan.

[Ted Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Good Read

My father was involved in the Manhattan Project and I have long wanted a book like this. I appreciate the economical and concise telling of the story without burdening it with too much technical detail. I'm going to recommend it to my family members.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, interesting, and well written history of important history.

[Bob Buice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent account of the inception of the atomic age. Brief and to the point.

[Jeff Wombold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atomic bomb

I thought the book was interesting, even though I knew a lot of the information. It's a shame that after the war, progress only escalated on making bigger and more powerful weapons of mass destruction. Once on a plane a physicist talked to me about quark research and the possibility of weapons that could destroy states, not just cities. My prayer would be never again.

[Gary R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apocalypse In Our Time

This is a book that will cause you to think about what could happen in any country at any time. It is not only interesting but easy to understand. I give it a five star because of it's importance.

[Louis C Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

brief accurate history

[Max · Rating 1 out of 5]

My copy came with numerous grammatical errors. An okay reference for a younger audience looking to learn more; I would not recommend for any serious information gathering.