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marimbagirl22's review against another edition
5.0
A lengthy, detailed account of the atomic bomb. Well worth the praise. Very interesting read.
jcoryv's review
5.0
Listened to this on Audible… 37 hours! Excellent narration.
I’m not even going to pretend I understood all of this, but it was surprisingly readable. The format of introducing the reader to key players as their contribution becomes relevant works really well. Highly recommend.
I’m not even going to pretend I understood all of this, but it was surprisingly readable. The format of introducing the reader to key players as their contribution becomes relevant works really well. Highly recommend.
krichardson's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what an incredible piece of scholarship. Most of this book was focused on the making of the bomb from a scientific standpoint, which as a physicist I found very interesting. Beyond that though, the book also tells the story of how it came to be acceptable to attack civilians and the start of the Cold War. I am still reeling from the ending.
wildglitterwolf's review against another edition
5.0
Even though my brain cannot process most the scientific stuff, this is the most complete history on the project and what led to it that you be an find.
bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
5.0
it took me a long time to finish this book, but i am glad that i read it. it really captures and scientific, political, and philosophical process involved in making the atomic bomb. what really struck me was just how many people were involved in making the bomb happen, and how small any one individual was in making the bomb happen. a through and detailed history.
zelieanner's review against another edition
4.5
Surprisingly, this audiobook kept my attention and my interest throughout. The history of the science was very cool to listen to, to get the background of both the experiments and the personal lives of scientists I’ve learned just the names of in school. This book doesn’t try to analyze much, or pick sides, or continue past the dropping of the bombs, which I understand but I wish there was a little more follow up.
The descriptions of the devastation of Hiroshima were heartbreaking.
The descriptions of the devastation of Hiroshima were heartbreaking.
louwheezer's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.5
A highly technical book. My enjoyment was dampened by my own inability to understand the concepts and science being discussed. At times the information would roll of my brain like water but I persisted to the end. Interspersed within detailed explanations of atomic structure and discussions of US military budget are harrowing personal experiences told in loving prose. Many things from this will stay with me for a long time. I would like to return to this book after watching the Crash Courses on chemistry and physics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, War, and Injury/Injury detail