The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
by Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin
Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Apr 2005
736 pages
Genre: Biography/Memoir
Publication Information
American Prometheus is the first full-scale biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, “father of the atomic bomb,” the brilliant, charismatic physicist who led the effort to capture the awesome fire of the sun for his country in time of war. Immediately after Hiroshima, he became the most famous scientist of his generation–one of the iconic figures of the twentieth century, the embodiment of modern man confronting the consequences of scientific progress.
National Book Critics Circle Awards, 2005
Pulitzer Prize Winners, 2006
"Starred Review. [Gives] human complexity to a man who had been both elevated and demonized." - PW
"[W]ith so many other biographies available, not to mention histories of the Manhattan Project, it provides little new information here." - Library Journal
"One of the best scientific biographies to appear in recent years." - Kirkus
"Even though this is lengthy and detailed, as good biography must be, the authors have made it quite readable. " - KLIATT
"American Prometheus is a work of voluminous scholarship and lucid insight, unifying its multifaceted portrait with a keen grasp of Oppenheimer's essential nature." - New York Times
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