Ned's Book Review - American Prometheus (The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer) by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
[first half review]
This is the biography of the father of the atomic bomb, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2006. It is huge, 600 pages not including notes or index. I'm now at the point where he's running the show at Los Alamos, herding the cats (scientists) who are inventing the bomb at the same time trying to get his security house in order for the spooks who are running around suspecting everybody.
There's a lot to be said about this era, things that were unknown then that we take for granted now. The very idea of nuclear fission (splitting a heavy atom) was unsuspected until December 18, 1938, when it was discovered by two German chemists. Even after this only physicists had any idea of the power potential of the atom. Einstein sent Roosevelt a letter warning of the danger. Physicists hitherto were looked at as merely kooky harmless eggheads of no military interest or value. Now they were viewed as military assets and potential security risks.
Many intellectuals, including physicists, were communist sympathizers from the 1920s, Oppenheimer included. Some had joined the Communist Party. Some were traitors and spies. Was Oppie? There is speculation, but the prevailing thought is he was only a fellow traveler and not a party member. A great deal of the book is given over to Oppenheimer's politics. Maybe too much. But these issues will figure in the revocation of his security clearance later on in the story.
If you are interested in the progression of a neurotic boy genius to the most powerful and most celebrated scientist in the world, then his fall from grace, this is the book for you.
Ok. Now for a little joke. If you are familiar with Firesign Theatre and Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me The Pliars, Oppenheimer was an honor graduate of both More Science High and Communist Martyr High School.