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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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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.

©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

"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)
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Before listening to this book, I knew nothing about Oppenheimer. I now feel he is an old friend.

A moving testament

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This is a well researched biography, the spoken word is excellent. Saddened to see how jealousy destroyed the life of a genius

Excellent Biography

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Not the best audio quality at times where the volume and tone seem to switch but worth pushing through. Superb look into the life of a man with such a great mind!

Brilliant!

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A worthy book, well written and captivating, it's a great book written about a unique man living in a unique time.

Thorough, Thoughtful and sad.

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Over a very enthralling listen, 23 hours is a lot to sit through, and it took a while, but you can’t help but feel for the great man that he was, no matter what side of then argument you sit on.
Diaries seem to have been used a lot and the vast amount of research that went into the book is astounding, down to food he ate and what he wore, and his haircuts. The ending for me, was sad, that such a great mind was alone is so many ways. The word Genius is not enough to describe his intellect, and still he was liked by many, not generally traits that go hand in hand. When one is asked, who would like to have at a dinner table if you could pick someone from history, this gentleman would be on my list.
I enjoyed it, so should you.
Don’t let the recording put you off learning about such a great figure in life.

A brief History in Time

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