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American Prometheus

The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer

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American Prometheus

By: Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin
Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
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About this listen

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • The definitive biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, one of the iconic figures of the twentieth century, a brilliant physicist who led the effort to build the atomic bomb for his country in a time of war, and who later found himself confronting the moral consequences of scientific progress.

THE INSPIRATION FOR THE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE OPPENHEIMER

J. Robert Oppenheimer is one of the iconic figures of the twentieth century, a brilliant physicist who led the effort to build the atomic bomb for his country in a time of war and who later found himself confronting the moral consequences of scientific progress.

When he proposed international controls over atomic materials, opposed the development of the hydrogen bomb, and criticized plans for a nuclear war, his ideas were anathema to powerful advocates of a massive nuclear buildup during the anti-Communist hysteria of the early 1950s. They declared that Oppenheimer could not be trusted with America’s nuclear secrets.

In this magisterial biography twenty-five years in the making, which won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for biography, the authors capture Oppenheimer’s life and times, from his early career to his central role in the Cold War.

©2005 Kai Bird; 2007 Blackstone Audio Inc. 20th Century Historical Modern Physics Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology War Thought-Provoking Inspiring Imperialism Nuclear War Soviet Union Military Socialism Russia Cold War

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Critic reviews

Pulitzer Prize Winner, Biography, 2006

"The definitive biography....Oppenheimer's life doesn't influence us. It haunts us." (Newsweek)
"[A] profoundly fascinating, richly complex, and ineffably sad American life....Bird and Sherwin are without peer...in capturing the humanity of the man." (Booklist)
"A work of voluminous scholarship and lucid insight, unifying its multifaceted portrait with a keen grasp of Oppenheimer's essential nature....It succeeds in deeply fathoming his most damaging, self-contradictory behavior." (New York Times)
All stars
Most relevant
I never read biographies or autobiographies but I was fascinated by the man after watching Oppenheimer. This is written so well, it’s almost like a story.

The reviews saying the narration is choppy have completely missed the point; the changes in intonation are when the book goes from normal prose into a verbatim quote. In a book you can see this by formatting. In the audiobook you can hear this by the vocal change in the way something has been said.

Fascinating biography

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It is difficult to truly understand someone. This book makes a dam good stab at it.

Whilst aspects are tragic, the story of Robert J Oppenheimer should be celebrated for his commitment to science and human thinking.

He seems ambiguous at times but context defines the nuonces.

A humanising Insight

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This book gives a thorough, almost to an academic degree, account of Oppenheimer's life and the complex decisions he faces throughout. I personally found the sections covering earlier parts of his life, ethical culture schooling, as well as the berkeley days etc too long. His academic years and those from trinity experiment were gripping. But if the readers feel weary, do hold on, as the last quarter of the book is the most engaging, esp the security hearing. Alas, let this book serve as a warning to those with ultra nationalist or conservative bent. If you squash the voice of dissent, you'll be left with noone to give you any rational advise, paving the way for humanity to squander to nothingness

A pedantic but definitive vindication of a giant

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Long but gripping portrait of a major character in twentieth century history. The narrator goes rather fast - I slowed it down for easier listening.

Fascinating

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This is an excellent audiobook and a superb biography. It provides a vivid account of Oppenheimer's multiple dimensions, the genius physicist, the captivating personality, the able manager, the human. It also provides an equally vivid description of the ungratefulness of those who governed the United States and paid him in such an unfair manner, as the result of the spite pettiness and the dishonesty of Lewis Strauss.
The story is well constructed and well narrated. The description of the final days of Oppenheimer is touching and made me feel the loss as if I had knew him very closely. Highly recommended.

A superb biography

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