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Strangers and Brothers #6
The New Men
It is the onset of World War II in the fifth in the Strangers and Brothers series. A group of Cambridge scientists are working on atomic fission. But there are consequences for the men who are affected by it. Hiroshima also causes mixed personal reactions.
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1954
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234 people want to read
About the author
C.P. Snow
94 books124 followersKnown British scientist Charles Percy Snow, baron Snow of Leicester, wrote especially his 11-volume series
Strangers and Brothers
(1940-1970).
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._P._Snow
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._P._Snow
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 23, 2015
Each of the volumes in this series follows a similar pattern. The book is about the main character - Lewis Eliot - and his relationship with a key figure in his life. This is set against a backdrop of a dramatic event, and involves characters whom we may have encountered in previous volumes, or will encounter in subsequent volumes.
The key relationship within this book is between Lewis Eliot and his brother Martin. We are introduced to a number of characters who have a relevance later on, like Hector Rose, and we encounter a number of characters from Eliot's past, such as Roy Calvert. The dramatic backdrop for this volume is the development of the British atomic bomb during the Second World War.
We all know that the Americans developed, and used, the bomb first. Less is known about the British attempts to develop it independently. That is what the story is about. The plot gives less consideration to the scientific and technical developments and more to the ethical issues surrounding its use. It does strike me as odd that scientists would devote themselves to the development of this ugly weapon, and then moralise about it's use. I would have thought that the moral thing to do would have been to have become disengaged right at the outset.
Within this drama, we have Lewis inserting his younger brother Martin into the project. Martin does quite well, and is eventually offered the head of the programme. Within this narrative, Martin wrestles with the morality of using the weapon. Some of the scientists react to the creation of the weapon by sharing it's secrets with the USSR - our wartime allies. This leads to trials and denunciations.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. It concerns a time of which I know very little. It does convey a sense by which the British scientists felt that they were racing against their German counterparts to develop the bomb. An interesting counter-factual is to consider the consequences of Hitler's Germany having won that race. Would Britain have caved in? It's hard to say either way, but it is a fascinating topic to chew over.
The key relationship within this book is between Lewis Eliot and his brother Martin. We are introduced to a number of characters who have a relevance later on, like Hector Rose, and we encounter a number of characters from Eliot's past, such as Roy Calvert. The dramatic backdrop for this volume is the development of the British atomic bomb during the Second World War.
We all know that the Americans developed, and used, the bomb first. Less is known about the British attempts to develop it independently. That is what the story is about. The plot gives less consideration to the scientific and technical developments and more to the ethical issues surrounding its use. It does strike me as odd that scientists would devote themselves to the development of this ugly weapon, and then moralise about it's use. I would have thought that the moral thing to do would have been to have become disengaged right at the outset.
Within this drama, we have Lewis inserting his younger brother Martin into the project. Martin does quite well, and is eventually offered the head of the programme. Within this narrative, Martin wrestles with the morality of using the weapon. Some of the scientists react to the creation of the weapon by sharing it's secrets with the USSR - our wartime allies. This leads to trials and denunciations.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. It concerns a time of which I know very little. It does convey a sense by which the British scientists felt that they were racing against their German counterparts to develop the bomb. An interesting counter-factual is to consider the consequences of Hitler's Germany having won that race. Would Britain have caved in? It's hard to say either way, but it is a fascinating topic to chew over.
January 13, 2021
This volume in the series follows British efforts to develop the atom bomb during World War 2 - efforts that were of course overtaken by the Americans. On that level it's a wonderful snapshot of the times, a close relative of books and films about Enigma, Bletchley Park, the Dambusters and so on.
It's also the story of Martin Eliot, younger brother of Lewis Eliot the series narrator. Martin is a scientist working on the project and later leading the interrogation of a younger fellow scientist who's passed secrets to Russia. In the process, the two brothers become estranged. There's a partial reconciliation by the end, but the younger brother has shaken off all deference to the elder.
As ever with Snow it's perceptive and subtle, but it also shows his weakness: the bitter and rancorous arguments are carried on in (mostly) level tones, well-thought through and articulately expressed. He just doesn't do yelling and screaming, or any volatile emotion, in a way that convinces.
It's also the story of Martin Eliot, younger brother of Lewis Eliot the series narrator. Martin is a scientist working on the project and later leading the interrogation of a younger fellow scientist who's passed secrets to Russia. In the process, the two brothers become estranged. There's a partial reconciliation by the end, but the younger brother has shaken off all deference to the elder.
As ever with Snow it's perceptive and subtle, but it also shows his weakness: the bitter and rancorous arguments are carried on in (mostly) level tones, well-thought through and articulately expressed. He just doesn't do yelling and screaming, or any volatile emotion, in a way that convinces.
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September 15, 2020Captures my attention more than some of the other volumes in the series, probably because the stakes are truly worldwide: the developments, then employment, of the atomic bomb. I felt that the actual moment of achieving a working bomb might’ve been a better place to end this part of the narrative. The subsequent 18 months or so—from Hiroshima to early 1947–complete with initial trials for espionage and passing information along to the Russians, seemed like a different part of the story. However on the personal level, Lewis and his brother Martin do achieve a kind of reconciliation That serves to unify the novel and make a case for the conclusion/narrative time management as written. Snow’s decisions about where each novel starts and stops are, generally, less neat than Powell’s, and sometimes, it seems to me, less effective.
February 24, 2020
Of all the books of the Strangers and Brothers series by C.P.Snow, I found The New Men the least engaging.
The first half of the novel is rather light, lacking substance while when such substance surfaces in the second part it is not very compelling; the tension between the inner characters' life and the external events, usually nearly perfect, is working less well here. As a consequence, the intimate motives of the characters’ actions are less lucid than usual.
C.P.Snow's prose remains quite smooth and elegant, so a pleasure for the reader, but the weaker content makes of The New Men a minor work in the context of the whole series.
The first half of the novel is rather light, lacking substance while when such substance surfaces in the second part it is not very compelling; the tension between the inner characters' life and the external events, usually nearly perfect, is working less well here. As a consequence, the intimate motives of the characters’ actions are less lucid than usual.
C.P.Snow's prose remains quite smooth and elegant, so a pleasure for the reader, but the weaker content makes of The New Men a minor work in the context of the whole series.
February 17, 2013
I enjoyed this book both for the personal story and the larger political story of the Atomic bomb. Although written in the 50's it did not feel in any way dated to me.
April 15, 2021
Fifth in the series for me as I'm reading it in the order of publication. This one has moved Lewis Eliot into Westminster as a senior civil servant involved with the British end of the WW2 project to develop a nuclear bomb. One of the features of the book is that it treats the decisions around the morality of what the scientists are doing more superficially and with less reverence than the election of a new Master in a Cambridge college in The Masters. Another is that it dips its toes very tentatively into the waters of espionage intrigue. CP Snow introduces a spook called Captain Smith who is a thinker rather than an action-man and it made me wonder whether he may have influenced John le Carre's creation of George Smiley.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of binge-reading this series is that the language in which it is written undergoes a clear development. In this novel, as before in the series, the sentences are less restrained than its predecessor and the dialogue is more to the point. Reading these books gives the reader an insight into how much written and spoken communication 'modernised' in the 1950s. I imagine that a good number of Eng Lit theses have been written on this subject.
Of course, there is still the problem of reading the opinions of people in their time. It's easy to become inured to it but this exchange, when men were discussing the contemptibility of treason, brought me up short with an audible gasp : 'I can understand most things at a pinch. I expect we've all thought of murder, haven't we? As for rape and' – he listed the vices of the flesh – 'anyone could do them.'
. Despite the more accessible language and a discernible plot I found this one a bit of a damp squib.
(An interesting footnote to the edition I read, printed in 1970, is that it was dual-priced at 6/- (six shillings) or 30p.)
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of binge-reading this series is that the language in which it is written undergoes a clear development. In this novel, as before in the series, the sentences are less restrained than its predecessor and the dialogue is more to the point. Reading these books gives the reader an insight into how much written and spoken communication 'modernised' in the 1950s. I imagine that a good number of Eng Lit theses have been written on this subject.
Of course, there is still the problem of reading the opinions of people in their time. It's easy to become inured to it but this exchange, when men were discussing the contemptibility of treason, brought me up short with an audible gasp : 'I can understand most things at a pinch. I expect we've all thought of murder, haven't we? As for rape and' – he listed the vices of the flesh – 'anyone could do them.'
. Despite the more accessible language and a discernible plot I found this one a bit of a damp squib.
(An interesting footnote to the edition I read, printed in 1970, is that it was dual-priced at 6/- (six shillings) or 30p.)
August 8, 2019
I only ever wanted to get around to reading three of C P Snow’s books and this was the last of those three. A decent read but I think what most surprised me was the location of the book’s fictional early British nuclear experimental establishment where the characters try to get an early nuclear pile going and also try to harvest enough enriched uranium plutonium (small spoiler they settle on going for plutonium) to try and beat the Americans to the bomb.
As Snow’s science researchers, and science civil servant, characters are, or were, portrayed as Cambridge dons in this book (and the previous book in the series -The Masters) he doesn’t want to make the location of the research station the real UK nuclear Centre at Harwell with it close association with Oxford. So instead, as the book puts it,: “For a site, they picked on a place called Barford –which I had not heard of, but found to be a village in Warwickshire, a few miles from Stratford-upon-Avon”.
The few references I can find to his choice suggest that not only the research station was fictional but so was/is the village. Well I can tell you it isn’t. There is indeed a place called Barford which is a real village in Warwickshire, a few miles from Stratford-upon-Avon. I drive past it twice a day and I will wonder now if anyone there knows what a massive development C P Snow had in mind for them. The “final” version of the station as described in the last chapter would certainly have dominated the village.
As Snow’s science researchers, and science civil servant, characters are, or were, portrayed as Cambridge dons in this book (and the previous book in the series -The Masters) he doesn’t want to make the location of the research station the real UK nuclear Centre at Harwell with it close association with Oxford. So instead, as the book puts it,: “For a site, they picked on a place called Barford –which I had not heard of, but found to be a village in Warwickshire, a few miles from Stratford-upon-Avon”.
The few references I can find to his choice suggest that not only the research station was fictional but so was/is the village. Well I can tell you it isn’t. There is indeed a place called Barford which is a real village in Warwickshire, a few miles from Stratford-upon-Avon. I drive past it twice a day and I will wonder now if anyone there knows what a massive development C P Snow had in mind for them. The “final” version of the station as described in the last chapter would certainly have dominated the village.
March 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2011
From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
Lewis Eliot ends up overseeing a secret wartime project with implications for the world.
Lewis Eliot ends up overseeing a secret wartime project with implications for the world.
September 14, 2012
the discovery and subsequent manufacture of the bomb and the agonising decisions related to it
September 22, 2025
Summary: The tension between two brothers involved in nuclear weapons research during and after World War 2 in England.
Between 1940 and 1970, C. P. Snow wrote eleven “Strangers and Brothers” novels narrated by Lewis Eliot, who rises from an attorney to a Cambridge don, and finally a senior civil servant in government. The novels explore power in the political context and the challenge of maintaining personal integrity. Recently, Open Road has reissued the series in e-book format. In this case, their efforts brought to my attention a book as old as I am. Yet the questions it explores have been those many of us have wrestle with through all our lives. Can nuclear weapons and the arms race be morally justified?
Lewis assists his brother Martin, a physicist, in obtaining a position in a highly secret research program at Barford, the fictional site of England’s atomic research program during World War 2. He will work under Walter Luke in building an atomic pile. This is the first step in creating fissionable material for a bomb.
The novel works at several levels. One is a fictional narrative that captures the rivalry as well as cooperation of the British and Americans to build a bomb before Germany did. Snow narrates setbacks such as failures in activating the nuclear pile, and later, a near fatal accident involving Luke and Sawbridge. In part, because of these failures, the Americans build and use the bomb. But, in an effort to preserve Britain’s place in the world, they win continued support to build Britain’s own nuclear arsenal.
The second level is an exploration of the moral issues. Like some of the scientists at Los Alamos, the scientific challenge to build the bomb was separate from the idea that it might actually be used. The effects of radiation exposure on Luke and Sawbridge underscore the particular horror of radioactive fallout. Snow portrays ineffectual efforts to prevent the American use of the bomb. Also, the advantage of the West grates on Sawbridge and others, who provide information to the Soviets. In fact, it did not make an appreciable difference.
Finally the novel develops a tension between the two brothers. Lewis wants his brother’s success, which becomes a burden to Martin, who must struggle with his own ambitions and his brother’s expectations, whether in marriage or career. Then moral issues arise between the more pragmatic Lewis and idealistic Martin. First, they arise over going public in opposition to the bomb. Later, Lewis disagrees with Martin’s aggressive role in the prosecution of Sawbridge.
All this occurs against a backdrop of relational networks of Cambridge dons and Whitehall officials. These offer a glimpse of the alliance between academy and government, like the pipeline from Harvard into Washington during the “Best and the Brightest” years. Yet despite power and influence we see human flaws that undermine ambitions and aspirations, even between brothers.
Between 1940 and 1970, C. P. Snow wrote eleven “Strangers and Brothers” novels narrated by Lewis Eliot, who rises from an attorney to a Cambridge don, and finally a senior civil servant in government. The novels explore power in the political context and the challenge of maintaining personal integrity. Recently, Open Road has reissued the series in e-book format. In this case, their efforts brought to my attention a book as old as I am. Yet the questions it explores have been those many of us have wrestle with through all our lives. Can nuclear weapons and the arms race be morally justified?
Lewis assists his brother Martin, a physicist, in obtaining a position in a highly secret research program at Barford, the fictional site of England’s atomic research program during World War 2. He will work under Walter Luke in building an atomic pile. This is the first step in creating fissionable material for a bomb.
The novel works at several levels. One is a fictional narrative that captures the rivalry as well as cooperation of the British and Americans to build a bomb before Germany did. Snow narrates setbacks such as failures in activating the nuclear pile, and later, a near fatal accident involving Luke and Sawbridge. In part, because of these failures, the Americans build and use the bomb. But, in an effort to preserve Britain’s place in the world, they win continued support to build Britain’s own nuclear arsenal.
The second level is an exploration of the moral issues. Like some of the scientists at Los Alamos, the scientific challenge to build the bomb was separate from the idea that it might actually be used. The effects of radiation exposure on Luke and Sawbridge underscore the particular horror of radioactive fallout. Snow portrays ineffectual efforts to prevent the American use of the bomb. Also, the advantage of the West grates on Sawbridge and others, who provide information to the Soviets. In fact, it did not make an appreciable difference.
Finally the novel develops a tension between the two brothers. Lewis wants his brother’s success, which becomes a burden to Martin, who must struggle with his own ambitions and his brother’s expectations, whether in marriage or career. Then moral issues arise between the more pragmatic Lewis and idealistic Martin. First, they arise over going public in opposition to the bomb. Later, Lewis disagrees with Martin’s aggressive role in the prosecution of Sawbridge.
All this occurs against a backdrop of relational networks of Cambridge dons and Whitehall officials. These offer a glimpse of the alliance between academy and government, like the pipeline from Harvard into Washington during the “Best and the Brightest” years. Yet despite power and influence we see human flaws that undermine ambitions and aspirations, even between brothers.
November 13, 2023
I read this novel after seeing the Oppenheimer (2023) film. While reading, I felt the plot elements seemed very familiar: the relocation of families to the secret lab location, the marital stress with a wife that is problematic; the single wife with skills to work with the scientists, the jocking for administrative power, the sympathy for those with communist leanings, the fear of spying and leakage of atomic secrets to the Russians, and the tension between horror at the cost of huge loss of life if the bomb is explored against the need to beat the Nazis in its development during WWII. I wondered if Christopher Nolan had read the book or if Snow had been inspired by Oppenheimer's life.
The differences are, of course, Snow's British setting at a fictional lab rather than Los Alamos, less military presence, and the smaller operation--some of the scientists go to Los Alamos. Still there is the moral issues and conflict between the openness of scientific research as opposed to the distrust of supposed allies.
The differences are, of course, Snow's British setting at a fictional lab rather than Los Alamos, less military presence, and the smaller operation--some of the scientists go to Los Alamos. Still there is the moral issues and conflict between the openness of scientific research as opposed to the distrust of supposed allies.
April 26, 2023
As I work my way through the Strangers and Brothers series by C P Snow I find a special fondness and sympathy for Lewis Elliot.
As with most series of novels, we get the chance to grow into the characters, especially the main character. C P Snow really weaves a deep persona around Elliot, at times he appears vulnerable at others he seems totally in control of any situation.
The New Men is the best book I have read in the series to date. It would work as a stand-alone novel, but as part of the series, come to this book in sequence to really get the best from Snow's characterisations.
As with most series of novels, we get the chance to grow into the characters, especially the main character. C P Snow really weaves a deep persona around Elliot, at times he appears vulnerable at others he seems totally in control of any situation.
The New Men is the best book I have read in the series to date. It would work as a stand-alone novel, but as part of the series, come to this book in sequence to really get the best from Snow's characterisations.
February 9, 2023
This is the first book I ever read of my favourite writer C.P. Snow. I read it during my final year in high school. I can still see why I loved it at the time but now - immediately after having read the brilliant The Masters and The Affair- it was slightly a disappointment. This is mainly due to the fact that it lacks a clear focus, which the other two have. In fact there are (too) many. That makes the book too lengthy, detailed and sometimes monotonous. Hence my only 3 stars.
July 10, 2021
This book isn't super exciting, but I can imagine C. P. Snow writing the conclusion to this book with a smile of satisfaction on his face. The hints that lead the reader to Lewis Eliot's final realizations are subtle and ingenious. I feel almost as if I've discovered a rare and precious life lesson.
September 19, 2023
In this installment of the Strangers and Brothers series, Snow has his protagonist deal with the development of the nuclear bomb during the tail end of WWII and the moral implications of its use.
An excellent read, mainly for readers who enjoy "people talking in rooms" novels, with subtle characters and descriptions of what the weather is like in each chapter. It was pure joy.
An excellent read, mainly for readers who enjoy "people talking in rooms" novels, with subtle characters and descriptions of what the weather is like in each chapter. It was pure joy.
October 4, 2023
In a way I feel like Snow is at his best when he's writing about committees and offices and groups of people and I think this was very enjoyable. Probably my favourite of the series so far after The Masters. But I also read most of Time of Hope and this back to back over the course of a four day business trip and I think I might need to treat myself to something a bit less grey.
July 12, 2024
The weakest of the series I've read so far. I may just try "The Affair". The plot is thin and the psychologies seem more like little made-to-order studies than real insights into real people. I kept feeling like Snow was straining to justify the "Brothers" part of the "Strangers and Brothers" series name.
May 26, 2020
Flat. The brother's marriage stays lifeless on the page; the new ethical dilemmas are stated rather than felt. A terrible accident is described via its effect on a bureaucratic re-organisation. One extra star for documentary value.
July 24, 2020
Very disappointing. I thought the book was self indulgent and boring. I would not recommended it to anyone .
Anyone. Reading it was a waste of time and energy. I kept hoping it would improve, but that did not happen.
Anyone. Reading it was a waste of time and energy. I kept hoping it would improve, but that did not happen.
January 15, 2021
Reading this for The Scientist Meets the Monster. Great ideas but the execution is so bland--probably because C. P. Snow wrote eleven! of these damn books! They seem a bit like a projection, if I'm being honest. A dull, boring projection with some good bits.
December 1, 2017
3.5 stars
September 28, 2018
It's a long time since I read this, but I remember the issues vividly.
It's a shame that young people today just aren't interested in campaigning against nuclear armaments...
It's a shame that young people today just aren't interested in campaigning against nuclear armaments...
May 4, 2019
Interesting, mostly about the bomb.
January 26, 2021
Had to work hard on this volume. It's ok but didn't draw me into the narrative like some earlier novels. Interesting subject - the development of the atomic bomb. Questions moral responsibility etc.
August 29, 2022
Only an English civil servant could write this dry a book about the nuclear arms race.
September 10, 2022
Not a great book but very interesting concerning the attitudes of the time. Certainly readable.
February 5, 2024
Hard work
February 19, 2017
I'm re-reading the Strangers and Brothers novels all out of sequence, but it doesn't matter - loving becoming reacquainted with them all.
August 3, 2015
"This is the best of the “Strangers and Brothers” books. It has the same protagonist, Lewis Eliot, and introduces his brother Martin. As usual there are minor characters from the previous books, but it’s not necessary to have read them to follow the story. They were minor characters then and they are minor characters now.
The time frame is quite special - the end of World War II and the development of nuclear weapons, told from the inside. The evolving nature of the relationship between the brothers (set in this backdrop) is what sets this book apart.
Well done."
The time frame is quite special - the end of World War II and the development of nuclear weapons, told from the inside. The evolving nature of the relationship between the brothers (set in this backdrop) is what sets this book apart.
Well done."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews