Los Alamos: 1944-1947

Images of America: New Mexico

by Toni Michnovicz Gibson, Jon Michnovicz

Forever linked with World War II and America’s entrance into the Atomic Age, Los Alamos was a small ranching community and the site of an exclusive boys’ school until 1943. As the Manhattan Project unfolded, Pvt. J.J. Michnovicz—first assigned to Los Alamos as a photographer by the military but later working as a civilian—recorded the everyday spirit of the people and the events that shaped this mountain town into a home . . . and secret scientific hotbed. This comprehensive view of the social and professional world of Los Alamos is the photographic journal of a singular period, as seen through the eyes of one soldier.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 9, 2005

Reviews

[Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This photographic history of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos was compiled by the son and daughter of John Michnovicz, who was a photographer for Project Y. He was part of the group of photographers that captured the daily life of the men and women who worked and lived in Los Alamos and nearly all the photos in this book were taken by him.

I was inspired to read this after reading Box 1663 by Alex Sorel and this was such a fun supplement to that book. The photos were well organized and highlighted the area in and around Los Alamos, the people who worked there and how they managed to live through those stressful years with good humor despite constant housing shortages and the pressure to create the atomic bomb before our enemies could.

I enjoyed the various tidbits, for exampled, the SED boys who still looked like scientists even in uniform and who were so bad at soldiering that they couldn't keep formation and would wave at friends. Morale was vastly important during the Project years, and there were various entertainments, from sports games, to hiking, to dances, to radio programs, to pranks and fake "awards". I'm not convinced though that the Tech Area punch (made from fruit punch and ethanol) was in any way good, but desperate times, I guess. LOL.

If you're interested to learn more about the men and women who worked on this project, this is a good place to start.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a special interest in both photography and the Manhattan Project then this book should be given a a look. It worked for my purposes. History buffs and writer about the work at Los Alamos might find it helpful.

[Henry Kline · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fine history of the famous Atomic city, which have visited several times.

[jj Grilliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the photos

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in photos and brevity, it is good for a mind's eye.