The Making of the Atom Bomb

World History

by Victoria Sherrow

Few events have affected humankind as profoundly as the harnessing of nuclear power, which led to the development of atomic weapons. This book explores the discoveries that led to the creation of atom bombs and the decision to use them during World War II, as well as the devastating effects of those weapons, the arms race and cold war, and the state of nuclear weapons today.

Genres: History, Science

128 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Victoria discovered her interest in reading and writing both in early adolescence. In 1978 she moved to Los Angeles and worked two jobs. It was at that time she read Writing for Children and Teenagers by Lee Wyndham , and that is when her fate as a writer was sealed. Victoria had decided to write a children's novel. She went to an annual L.A. conference on writing for children where she learned the basics of marketing and submitting work for writers. Then she started writing.

Her first stories were rejected but she kept strong at it. The year after(1979), she managed to sell a story. Then she sold more. And since she has become a multiple award winning author with over 100 published titles to her name. Sherrow has written poetry, short stories, picture books, and articles.

Victoria has taught writing for over twenty years, reviewed children’s books for newspapers, judged writing contests, and done numerous presentations at schools, libraries, and bookstores. She is a long-time member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and served as a judge for the SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award.

Reviews

[Ehsan'Shokraie' · Rating 4 out of 5]

عصر اتم آغازگر زمانی ست که بشر دست به رقصی مرگبار در جهت جنگ قدرت دائمی خود زد،اینبار اما به قیمتی وحشتناک..برای رسیدن به پیروزی مطلق اما با ریسک نابودی نوع بشر و تمام زمین..گاه بدان فکر میکنم که اشتباه کوچکی در آن سال های جنگ دهه چهل میتوانست تاریخ را تا ابد تغییر دهد..کما اینکه عصر اتم بدون شک مهم ترین رخداد تاریخی حیات ماست..زمانی که بشر مجهز به مرگ شد..مرگی که متفاوت ازتمام تسلیحات دیگر..نه فقط قتل و تخریب،بلکه سبب از ریشه برکندن حیات در نقطه ای  از زمین تا  که قرن ها می شد..

قدرتی اکنون در دست بشر قرار گرفته که گذشتگان در طی تاریخ هزاران ساله انسان تصورش را شاید تنها به خدایان و اسطوره ها نسب می دادند،خدایانی که حتی در اساطیر نیز این چنین بی رحم نبودند‌..
عصر اتمی گذرگاه خطرناک اما ناگزیر تاریخ بشر است،زمانی ست که چند دکمه و دستان یک انسان می تواند میلیون ها زندگی را در  برهم زدن پلک ها متوقف سازد..هیچگاه چنین قدرت مرگباری در طی تاریخ وجود نداشته ست.. در عین حال اما‌ عصر اتم گامی بزرگ در جهت پیشرفت علم و درک انسان از حقیقت جهان هستی ست،گامی که شاید اگر در شرایط بغرنج جنگ و در رقابت میان ابر قدرت های آن روزگار نبود..سال ها در پس پرده غفلت خفته باقی می ماند..انسان گذشته، از عصر اتم که اینک حقیقت روزمره  زندگی ماست تصوری نداشت..چه حقایقی پس از حیات ما، نقاب از سینه آسمان ها یا قلب ذرات برمی کشند و حیات بشر را چگونه تغییر می دهند؟
انسان آینده به گذشته ای که ما اکنون زیسته ایم چگونه خواهد نگریست..
اوپنهایمر:
Now i have become death,destroyer of the worlds.

[نیما اکبرخانی · Rating 5 out of 5]

اولا که من ترجمه فارسی کتاب و خوندم که نشر ققنوس هم چاپ کرده و چون تو گودریدز پیداش نکردم نسخه انگلیسی و گذاشتم .
اما کتاب ، اگر به تاریخ معاصر و جنگ دوم جهانی علاقه دارید فوق العاده ست . میخ کوب کننده و حیرت آور . اطلاعات خوب و جالب و مفید از چگونگی ساخت بمب اتم و استفاده ش در ژاپن میده . من خیلی خوشم اومد ولی یقین دارم کتاب همه پسندی نیست. هرچقدر هم بحث های تاریخی خوبی داره تحلیل هایی که علی الخصوص من باب آینده ارائه میده آبکی و سفارشیه ، بهتره بهشون توجه نکنید و از مطالعه جزئیات ساخت بمب اتمی لذت ببرید .

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Making of the Atomic Bomb

The book starts off by noting the background of events that led to the development of the atomic bomb, including fanatical dictators, huge enemy armies, nations losing their freedom, etc. It also ties in the rise of Nazi Germany to the economic depression that was going on in the world.

Then the book discusses atomic energy, the splitting of the atom, and how the scientists got FDR interested in the idea of an atomic bomb.

Chapter 2 discusses how the first controlled nuclear reaction was obtained. The next chapter goes into how Los Alamos was found, bought, and built. The book also goes into detail on the various experiments that had to be done to develop the bomb.

A later chapter talks about the first bomb test, and how one of the scientists was concerned that the bomb could destroy the entire state of New Mexico. Others thought the bomb might ignite the Earth's atmosphere.

The discussions about whether to use the bomb, and how to use it, are next covered. Then the dropping of the bomb is covered, along with personal narratives of survivors.

The rest of the book deals with events after Hiroshima, such as the growth of nuclear weapons and efforts to limit that growth.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because the book is meant for middle/high school readers, this book is a quick way to assimilate history. There's a lot of good information here and the writing style kept it interesting without the heavy accedemic language that slows down many adult non-fiction books.