American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin is the definitive, Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of the physicist who led the development of the atomic
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American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin is the definitive, Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of the physicist who led the development of the atomic bomb. The book explores Oppenheimer's complex life, from his groundbreaking scientific work to his post-war moral and political struggles, and served as the inspiration for the major motion picture Oppenheimer.
Synopsis
The biography is a detailed account, twenty-five years in the making, that charts the rise and fall of one of the 20th century's most iconic figures.
- Early Life & Science: The narrative follows Oppenheimer from his privileged New York childhood, through personal crises at Harvard and Cambridge, to his studies of quantum physics in Germany. He later established the leading American school of theoretical physics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also developed an interest in social justice and left-wing politics.
- The Manhattan Project: Oppenheimer's life transforms when he is appointed the scientific director of the top-secret Los Alamos laboratory, where he becomes a charismatic and effective leader of the effort to build the atomic bomb.
- Triumph & Tragedy: The "triumph" is the successful creation and detonation of the first nuclear weapon (the Trinity Test) and the end of World War II. The "tragedy" encompasses his post-war qualms about nuclear weapons, his opposition to the H-bomb, and his eventual downfall during the McCarthy era security hearing orchestrated by Lewis Strauss and the FBI.
- Legacy: The book portrays Oppenheimer as a complex, flawed, and brilliant man whose legacy is deeply intertwined with the dawn of the nuclear age and the moral consequences of scientific progress.
Accolades and Reception
- Pulitzer Prize Winner: Awarded the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography.
- National Book Critics Circle Award: Won the 2005 National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography.
- Expert Opinions: Reviewers praise the book as "history at its finest, riveting and deeply informative," and a "meticulous and riveting biography" that provides a detailed and personal look into Oppenheimer's life. It is considered essential for understanding the recent past and the choices regarding nuclear power.
Purchasing Options
The book is available from various online retailers in multiple formats, including paperback, hardcover, and e-book.
Merchant
Price (Paperback)
Amazon.com
$14.71 $25.00
Barnes & Noble
$25.00
Flipkart (India)
₹473
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