Reviews

A historical book that reads like a fiction novel! It was an incredible read that kept me captivated throughout. One of the best I’ve read in a really long time.

seullywillikers's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative medium-paced

4.5

4.5 stars This book is fantastic, and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in WWII history, science history, or spies and espionage. While some parts are inevitably a little dryer than others, many parts read like an action movie. The science is explained in a way that is accessible to most readers, and the inset diagrams and visual elements help make it even easier to understand. I learned about things I'd never heard of before, and things I had heard of were built upon and expanded. The only complaint I have is that Kean seems to have taken some liberties assuming what some individuals felt/said at times when it can actually never truly be known, but honestly, that helped keep it flowing as a narrative which adds to the accessibility. Kean is, first and foremost, a storyteller. And while that may reduce a smidgeon of accuracy from some spaces in the narrative, the facts, timeline, and information of interest is exceptionally well researched and presented.

labocat's review against another edition

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5.0

Oh my god I loved this. The audiobook was amazing, and perfectly captured the sense of the book being both a thriller and and exploration of history, as well as wonderfully pinning down the sense of humor in Kean's writing. It's a fascinating story, with a cast of characters and spy missions that prove that sometimes fact is stranger than fiction, and covers almost ten years of nuclear physics in a way that absolutely captivated me from start to finish.

Shout out to Mad Jack, the 20th Earl of Sussex and absolute fucking goals.