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Author : Richard Rhodes
Number of Pages : 928
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
List Price : $20.00
Amazon Price : $8.63
Used Price : $6.87 |
Product Description Here for the first time, in rich, human, political, and scientific detail, is the complete story of how the bomb was developed, from the turn-of-the-century discovery of the vast energy locked inside the atom to the dropping of the first bombs on Japan. Few great discoveries have evolved so swiftly -- or have been so misunderstood. From the theoretical discussions of nuclear energy to the bright glare of Trinity there was a span of hardly more than twenty-five years. What began as merely an interesting speculative problem in physics grew into the Manhattan Project, and then into the Bomb with frightening rapidity, while scientists known only to their peers -- Szilard, Teller, Oppenheimer, Bohr, Meitner, Fermi, Lawrence, and yon Neumann -- stepped from their ivory towers into the limelight. Richard Rhodes takes us on that journey step by step, minute by minute, and gives us the definitive story of man's most awesome discovery and invention. The Making of the Atomic Bomb has been compared in its sweep and importance to William L. Shirer's The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. It is at once a narrative tour de force and a document as powerful as its subject. Customer reviews Ares befriends Prometheus and Pandora by .. ct reader (ct)
Few schooled in 1950-60s can fail to remember clumsy `duck-and-cover' squats choreographed in lockered hallways or under classroom desks. The nuclear age, born at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, bestowed omnipresent dread (and an appreciation of farcical drills) in children who (ironically) might never have been born had their fathers died invading Japan with `conventional' weapons. The Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 saw the apogee of prefab `home' bomb shelter sales and nonperishable family food storage guidelines. Meanwhile airborne B-52s armed with weapons worthy of Armageddon raked the northern skies 24/7. Kubrick's `Dr. Strangelove' brought comic relief (and a warning) in 1964, but major adversaries remained preoccupied with enhancing weapons that could already easily destroy mankind several times over. How did it happen?
This is a lucid, masterful history of the physics, chemistry, and inevitability of atomic weapon development (including the contemporary efforts of Germany, England, the United States, USSR, and Japan). Basic principals are outlined so skillfully even I derived a general understanding (I only wish my physics and chemistry professors possessed Rhode's skill - maybe I'd have gotten better marks).
Portraits of major figures (scientific, technical, military, political) are skillfully set in their times. The events (theory, engineering, development, testing, industrialization, manufacturing, deployment, application, etc) are fully depicted. They end in victim descriptions of bomb-destroyed Hiroshima - a sobering primer on the ruinous effects of human-induced natural forces that continue to be available for exploitation.
Bohr's assertion that conventional state craft was obsolete given atomic technology/weapons was accurate - but postponed by Teller's Faustian desire for a Hydrogen `Superbomb.' The dilemma continues. Rhodes, in his epilogue, fully explores the dual-edged sword forged by the Manhattan Project.
This work explains much of what I, a child who obediently squatted in `duck-and-cover' pantomimes, waited fifty years to discover.
Destroyer of Worlds by .. R.G. King (Orange County, California)
Turn off the TV, grab some hot coffee, and curl up in a comfortable chair because this is a heavy-duty book. In 928 pages including text, notes, bibliography and index, The Making of the Atomic Bomb, by Richard Rhodes, is the who, what, where, when, why and how of the world's first atomic bomb. This book covers it all: the design, the construction, the people, the science, the war, the politics and the economics. The author even gives a deep background on the most prominent scientists of the time including those who discovered radiation and worked up the essential formulas that made the A-bomb possible. Marie Curie, Oppenheimer, Szilard, Einstein, Rutheford, Bohr, Teller, along with many, many others who helped to harness the awesome power of the atom fill the pages of this totally absorbing book. As you read about their struggles before and during World War II you get an understanding of their motivation and dedication as they put their personal lives and careers on hold in order to build the bomb at any cost. The alternative, of course, was to allow the bad guys to build one first - not a good choice. What's the difference between a Little Boy and a Fat Man? It's all in this book.
Science, Politics, People, History, Warfare by .. Gepetto (Mendota Heights, MN)
Awesome book. This book provides a unique blend of science, politics, people, history, warfare and interpersonal relationships. I am a mathematician with a minor in physics and a former US Air Force officer. I recall most of the names of key players (scientists, military, political) in this book but I never had a concept of how they were all related. This is quite a tome but I just had to sit down and continue reading several times a day. I still cannot believe how Rhodes was able to do the research required for this book and then make it so readable. My high school chemistry teacher took a group of us to hear a lecture by Niels Bohr in the 1950s but I never realized what a genius he was not only in science but in predicting the political consequences of building and using the atomic bomb until I read Rhodes work. The epilogue chapter is a must read and contains many very fundamental and philosophical thoughts that must still be addressed today.
Simply amazing. by .. Lehigh History Student ()
Richard Rhodes provides the definitive account of the making of the Atomic Bomb. This book covers the characters, the technological dilemmas and all of the politics involved in making the atomic bomb. Starting with the various scientists and their backgrounds Rhodes takes us through the major players and their contributions towards the bomb. The book at times does get a little heavy on the physics but it is worth the detail for putting into context how the scientists came together to develop the bomb. The beginnings of the military industrial academic complex are developed and its crystallization becomes clear through people like Bush and Compton. While daunting at times given the sheer volume of the book it is worth taking your time to understand one of the greatest stories in the 20th century. This is truly the best account and a must read for those who want to understand how the 20th century and beyond was shaped by the work of the Manhattan Project.
The making of the atomic bomb  by .. L. lencin (Hicksville, New York United States)
I'm only half way through the book. However, it is making all the physicist that I read about in my science courses come alive. It is a great read.
Related Search : making atomic , bomb  |
Author : Thomas C. Reed
Number of Pages : 393
Publisher : Zenith Press
List Price : $30.00
Amazon Price : $19.80
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Product Description This is a political history of nuclear weapons from the discovery of fission in 1938 to the nuclear train wreck that seems to loom in our future. It is an account of where those weapons came from, how the technology surprisingly and covertly spread, who is likely to acquire those weapons next and most importantly why. The authors’ examination of post-Cold War national and geopolitical issues regarding nuclear proliferation and the effects of Chinese sponsorship of the Pakistani program is eye opening. The reckless “nuclear weapons programs for sale” exporting of technology by Pakistan is truly chilling as is the on again off again North Korean nuclear weapons program. Customer reviews Definitive and Well Written by .. B. Hendry (Atlanta, GA)
This is a finely detailed yet easy to read book. It is essentially a tracing of the history of nuclear weapons in various countries and seems to have a lot of information that will be news to most readers. The Nuclear Express is well-organized and should be a very handy on the shelves of any modern historian, as its reference value is high. On most topics the authors are authoritative and thorough. Their solutions for trying to prevent further use of nuclear weapons on US soil are not as radical as it might seem given the alternatives. I would assume that MAD is still on the table in response to an attack, but there is not much information on current US capabilities in that area although it would seem a given that they are still formidable.
The authors point out dangers from the Middle East but do not seem to know enough yet about that area, aside from Israel, to really point out nuanced solutions and be appreciative of the complexity of that part of the world. I don't say that in any manner of blame as admittedly the authors have extraordinary intellects and are well educated.
Former proliferation Official by .. J. L. Shinn (Littleton, NC)
As a former nuclear weapons AF tech for the first H-bomb, the Mk 17,a physicist, and later a senior official in the CIA--now retired-- working proliferation targets, I am pleased with the update this book provides, which also added previously unknown (to me) historical information and even some technical information. It will be of special interest to a broad range of experts from historians to politicians to scientists, including those currently working the issues. I am grateful to Reed and Stillman for this works. I highly recommend it. Jerry L. shinn, Retired senior CIA official.
Related Search : nuclear express , political history , bomb proliferation  |
Author : John Coster-Mullen
Number of Pages : 138
Publisher : John Coster-Mullen
Amazon Price : $49.95
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Customer reviews The quest to replicate the first A-bombs by .. Frederick J. Miller (Knoxville Tennessee)
The December 15, 2008 issue of New Yorker contains a lengthy and fascinating story about the author of this book. "Atomic John: A truck driver uncovers secrets about the first nuclear bombs" by David Samuels, is every bit as engrossing as the book itself. Having read the book before the magazine article I had assumed that the author was a scientist of world renown, not the over-the-road truck driver who has devoted much of his life researching the subject, writing, and even printing the book and mailing it to the purchasers from his home in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The New Yorker article should be included as an addendum to the book.
The Definitive Reference Work on Little Boy and Fat Man by .. M. Maggelet ()
Without a doubt, John Coster-Mullen's work is the definitive historical archive on the development of Little Boy and Fat Man (once you read the book, you'll understand why I call it an "archive"!). Declassified documents and photographs chronicle the creation of these crude weapons from early drop shapes (Fat Boy, Y-1222, Pumpkin, and Thin Man) to the combat weapons used in WWII. The descriptions, drawings, and photographs of components used in these weapons (to include, but not limited to timers, baro switches, radar, casing, trap door, capsule, etc) is superb; anyone who worked in the nuclear weapons community or was an Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Air Force nuclear weapons tech will certainly relate to this material. The book also contains extensive lists of tools and equipment used to assemble LB and FM, photo's of facilities on Tinian used to assemble the bombs, and documentation on the 509th's bombing missions. The declassified LANL photographs and John's photographs of bomb casings are priceless.
A superb historical document and a must have for museums, universities, and anyone interested in our Cold War history.
New look at the Manhattan Project people and projects by .. George William Herbert (Hayward, CA USA)
The author has gathered together diverse and new primary source information and direct research (detail measuring and photographing surviving Little Boy and Fat Man type bombs in museums; visiting Tinian in the Pacific and sites in the US and documenting them in detail as well), interviews with Manhattan Project and 509th group survivors, and more. The result is a treasure trove of rich detail on what was done, how, and by whom as the atom bombs were being prepared and used in World War 2. It adds considerably to the available detailed history of the end of the war. Strongly recommended.
Unbelievable Detail Well Told by .. Fair Wold (San Diego, CA)
In first thumbing through this book, one might think it is too technical for the average reader of history. Although the book focuses on the scientific and engineering complexities of the first two atomic bombs, the operations of preparing and delivering the bombs are laid out in lucid, exciting prose. The author clearly presents details that were top secret for many decades; and he stops just short of revealing things that are still classified. This book really lets you know how the now relatively primitive nuclear bombs worked; but in a readable and fascinating way. Some readers will skip the most detailed material, but the rest of the book is stunning in its interest. I, the writer of this review, am a retired physicist and am in a position to cross-check many of the details. To the best of my knowledge, it is all correct. But most importantly, it is a good read.
Why has this book not been issued by a big name publisher? I would guess that there are two factors. First, the publisher might think the potential market would be limited to a few nerds and ex-Manhattan Project people. Not so; it is of general interest, especially to those interested in modern technology and WWII history. Second, a publisher might be concerned about the possibility of security issues - and that tingling, knife-edge separation from a security violation is one of the things that makes this book so great.
The print quality and format are fully professional and the very many illustrations are better than usually found in books by major publishers.
The Missing Part of the Manhattan Project Story by .. Terry Sunday (El Paso, Texas United States)
"Atom Bombs: The Top Secret Inside Story of Little Boy and Fat Man" fills an important niche in the literature about the development of nuclear weapons. There is no shortage of books on the Manhattan Project, including such classics as "Now It Can Be Told," "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns" and "The Making of the Atomic Bomb." Biographies of scientists who worked on the project, including Robert Oppenheimer and Edward Teller, also abound. One would think that there would not be much fresh material to write about a project that, after all, took place more than 60 years ago. But new books on the subject continue to crop up. One of the latest, "Shockwave: Countdown to Hiroshima," released in 2005, details the last couple of weeks before the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that ended World War II. In reading "Shockwave," I found that virtually all of the passages that referred to the technical details of the "Little Boy" and "Fat Man" bombs footnoted John Coster-Mullens' "Atom Bombs." So I had to buy it. It was an excellent decision.
According to a review in "The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists," Coster-Mullen has not yet found a publisher willing to print his book, which is unfortunate--it deserves to be issued in bound hardcover form. Hopefully someday it will be. Now, what you get is a spiral-bound 8-1/2x11-inch, 402-page book with nice thick card-stock covers. Although it is printed on a laser printer, the printing quality is very good, and the photos and drawings are clear, sharp and crisp. My order, shipped directly from the author in Wisconsin, showed up very quickly and in perfect condition in a large padded envelope.
Enough about the appearance--what about the content? Quite simply, there is NO better source of information on the technical details of the world's first two nuclear weapons. In the first 88 pages, after touching on the history of the Manhattan Project and the "Silverplate" Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" bombers that were specially modified to carry the weapons, Coster-Mullen describes the design, configuration, materials and assembly procedures of "Little Boy" and "Fat Man" to an unprecedented level of detail. But wait, there's more! The bulk of "Atom Bombs" is made up of appendices containing hundreds of pages of photos, drawings, sketches, patent applications and declassified source documents that reveal nearly every detail about the design, development, construction and testing of "Little Boy" and "Fat Man" that you could ever want to know. This is really "nuts and bolts" stuff, literally. Finally, there are over 30 pages of endnotes, which themselves constitute a unique and valuable resource. You'll know more when you finish reading "Atom Bombs" than you can learn from all of the other books on the subject combined. It gets my highest possible recommendation.
Related Search : inside story , atom bombs , fat man  |
Author : Ed Slott
Edition : Revised
Number of Pages : 400
Publisher : Penguin (Non-Classics)
List Price : $16.00
Amazon Price : $9.12
Used Price : $9.07 |
Product Description The premier guide for retirement and investment planning by “America’s IRA Expert” (Mutual Funds magazine)—fully updated to reflect the recent tax rule changes With the possible e xception of home property, the most valuable asset for most Americans is their retirement fund. Yet most people don’t know that the IRS is waiting to grab up to 90 percent of their hard-earned retirement savings. Now, in this fully updated edition of The Retirement Savings Time Bomb, renowned tax advisor Ed Slott explains in clear-cut layman’s terms what people need to know to keep their money and pass it on to their families. Customer reviews Great, but not for everyone by .. M. Armstrong ()
So, this book was great for me. The topics were exactly what I wanted... most people don't concern themselves with the distribution side of the IRA, but rather only with the contribution and investment side. Ed discusses this mostly in the context of estate planning and figuring out how to maximize your contributions. If you plan on depleting your retirement plan and not passing it to your heirs, there is much in this book that you'll pass over. However, if you have a large retirement plan and intend on either
a) being able to pass to heirs
b) have to pass to heirs
then you'll want to read this book.
Well worth the price, humorous and light but real worth the read by .. Howard Willers ()
This book is well worth the price. it is a very easy read. In fact, I would say it is humorous, and breezy....no small feat since , and that means something when many books in this area are like reading economic text books in University. This will help teach you how to keep Government away from your nest egg.
Retirement Savings Book by .. Paul D. Deiter (Los Angeles CA)
Technical book about 401(k) and IRA retirement plans. It requires some background to understand many of the concepts, but the author tries to make the concepts as understandable to as many people as possible. Useful for people who are of advanced age and required to make decisions about retirement options.
Ridiculous by .. GA Dawg in Old Alabam (Montgomery AL)
Writing reviews for Amazon is getting ridiculous. I received my order before the deadline and in the condition promised.
Buy it and save yourself $$ in retirement by .. Colleen King ()
A great book to avoid losing your hard earned IRA money. And great tips for passing it on to your kids.
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Author : Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna
Number of Pages : 240
Publisher : Simon Spotlight Entertainment
List Price : $18.95
Amazon Price : $10.80
Used Price : $10.74 |
Product Description Not for the faint of heart, Cherry Bomb is an A-to-Z reference for everything awesome a girl needs to know, including the obvious (style, beauty, dating, and sex tips) and the not-so-obvious (instructions for preparing absinthe, how to hit on a celebrity). It's a girl's guide with a difference: one that shows readers how to identify, go after, and get whatever they want in life -- be it a hot guy, a great job, a mind-blowing orgasm, or a sexy new look -- all while marching to her own (rock) beat. Bona fide rock chick Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's tips are smart, funny, edgy, and will empower women to veer away from the pack, work every situation to their advantage, and look cool while doing it. She's also recruited a rocking list of contributors who offer advice on all things cool, including: - Betsey Johnson on personal style
- A step-by-step guide to performing a striptease by Dita Von Teese
- Tips on getting inked by Kat Von D.
- Fashion inspiration from Anna Sui
- Lisa Loeb on how to be the perfect hostess
- Life lessons from Tori Amos
- A drum lesson from Samantha Maloney of Peaches
- Dating advice from Terri Nunn of Berlin
The perfect guide for the female who prefers black nail polish to French manicures, who would only be caught in pearls if they were paired with a cool black tank top, and who prefers Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier to any Klein (Calvin or Anne), Coach, or Kate Spade, Cherry Bomb will have readers taking chances and daring to be different. Customer reviews It's the Bomb! by .. Graecyn (Los Angeles, CA)
This book is fun, insightful and full of great tips on how to be that total cherry bomb!
Disappoints  by .. MsMargo ()
I was very disappointed with this book. The "chapters" are mostly 1 or 2 short pages, and the writing is Seventeen Magazine reading level. The advice would be useful if you are a late-teen/early-twenties in America's heartland, or maybe grew up in a convent. But if you're in one of those groups, you won't have the money to buy the trendy designers mentioned, and you won't be in L.A. to use the advice on how to hang in the hottest clubs and bars like you're on Entourage. The book's only high point was Lisa Loeb's great recipe for grilled cheese sandwiches. Save the money you would have spent on this book, and go out and have some real life experiences.
Seems to work by .. Arthur E. Nave (Tulsa, OK USA)
I really bought this for my wife thinking that if she didn't find some pointers or useful information she would be entertained. It took a bit longer for her to read than I thought it would. So, it is not one of those books you just can't put down. She does seem to have enjoyed it.
Awesome by .. M. Perez (OR USA)
I ordered this book after hearing bout it in a magazine, I'm so glad I took a chance and bought it's a fun book to read and I would recommend it to any women that is willing to try something new.
Cherry Bomb  by .. Reader805 (DE)
I guess the book was all it was meant to be. It related stories from different rock stars, their girlfriends and groupies. Not much substance but some parts were interesting.
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Author : Stephen M. Younger
Number of Pages : 256
Release Date : 2009-01-06
Publisher : Ecco
List Price : $26.99
Amazon Price : $11.95
Used Price : $25.70 |
Product Description From his years at Los Alamos and the Nevada Test Site to his meetings with nuclear arms experts in Moscow, former weapons designer Stephen M. Younger has witnessed firsthand the making of nuclear policy. With a deep understanding of both the technology and the politics behind nuclear weapons, he guides us from the Manhattan Project to the Cold War and into the present day, illuminating how nuclear weapons fit into our globalized, war-plagued world. Does the United States genuinely need a massive stockpile in an era of precision bombs and missile defense? Under what circumstances might we need nuclear weapons in the future? How does the proliferation of weapons in the hands of other nations affect our own nuclear policy? With startling clarity, Younger reveals how weapons work, the myths and realities of what happens after a nuclear explosion, and how our nuclear policy evolved to what it is today. The Bomb is a compelling call to debate, and to action, that no one can afford to ignore. Related Search : bomb new , history  |
Author : Terry Pratchett
Number of Pages : 256
Release Date : 2008-04-01
Publisher : HarperCollins
List Price : $6.99
Amazon Price : $3.00
Used Price : $2.95 |
Product Description When Johnny Maxwell finds himself mysteriously transported through time to the Second World War, he knows when and where bombs will fall. If he tells anyone, he risks changing the future. If he doesn't, innocent people will die. . . . Customer reviews Saving The Best For Last by .. Steven Daniel Clubb (Pawtucket, Rhode Island)
Terry Pratchett's Johnny Maxwell trilogy is a fun and light-weight series of books. Okay, some of the slang and references the kids use can be a bit cringe-worthy, having been written by someone who has left childhood behind a long time before, but there's an undeniable charm that keeps you going despite the occasional groan.
The series reaches it high point here with Johnny and his friends journeying back to WWII, trying to put right on their second trip what they accidentally put wrong on their first. Pratchett avoids a lot of the pitfalls of the time-travel genre with his "pants trousers of time" theory, which allows them a great deal of freedom in their journey (since every outcome leads to possible futures, none of which are essentially bad), but brings a level of suspense to the proceedings that was absent in the early efforts. Their mission isn't to keep the Germans from winning the war or anything so melodramatic, but to reunite all the friends in the present. While failure will mean... free burgers for life.
A fitting and enjoyable conclusion to a enjoyable trilogy of books.
Johnny and the Bomb (The Johnny Maxwell Trilogy) A great book! by .. Capt. Nemesis (Hawaii, USA)
Johnny and the Bomb (The Johnny Maxwell Trilogy) is a great book for kids as well as adult fans of Terry Pratchett.
fun science fiction thriller by .. Harriet Klausner ()
In Blackbury, England twelve-year-old Johnny Maxwell and his pal Bigmac find local bag lady Mrs. Tachyon badly hurt in an alley off High Street. He quickly dials 911 to get her help, and stores her shopping cart loaded with black garbage bags in his family garage until he can return them and her cat to her.
However, Johnny and his buddies (Yo-less, Bigmac, Wobbler, and Kirsty) make a startling discovery about Mrs. Tachyon's bags. If they touch a bag they go back in time to whatever era that particular bag takes them to. Johnny sees a chance to change history; over four decades ago on May 21, 1941, a German air raid killed several people on High Street. He and his pals decide to go back in time to save the lives of those who died on that fatal day. However they will soon learn the paradox of altering the past when Wobbler fails to return with them so the remaining time travelers try again and again as they have all the time in the world or at least until Mrs. Tachyon claims her bags.
The third Johnny and the gang science fiction thriller (see ONLY YOU CAN SAVE MANKIND and JOHNNY AND THE DEAD) is the best of an excellent trilogy as the hero's cohorts seem so much more developed. The story line uses humor and not so subtle puns to provide the risks of fooling with tachyon particles to change history as the consequence can alter the present one pants leg at a time. Although Terry Pratchett targets young adult fans with this series, fans of all ages will enjoy JOHNNY AND THE BOMB as he and his teammates learn complex lessons about getting "lost in the trousers of time".
Harriet Klausner
Terry Prachett rules! by .. Laiden Universe Fan (Universe)
Johnny and the Bomb (Johnny Maxwell Trilogy, 3.) While I am a devoted fan of Terry Prachett's Discworld, I also enjoy his young teen fiction. (Why is that the kids get all of the great, fun and funny adventures?) I bought this book to complete my collection of his fiction.
Johnny Maxwell is an interesting 12 year-old boy around whom events swirl. In this, the third of the Johnny Maxwell books, he and his friends are transported back to 1941's version of their home town. Can he prevent or change the effects of a bombing he knows occurred? And what is happening with his friend, Wobbler? The book explores the ideas of time travel, personal responsibility,and experiencing the consequences of your actions.
10 year-olds and above will enjoy the Johnny Maxwell series. This entertaining, humorous adventure story emphasizes all of the varieties of people there are in the world and is affectionately amused by their antics. The children are realistically drawn and the story engaging.
In a frequently side-splitting and thrilling yet deeply thought-provoking manner by .. Kidsreads.com (New York, NY)
Johnny Maxwell worries about many things, such as money, AIDS and his father (who has left the family), but that doesn't explain the dreams he has --- day and night --- of war planes and bombs. Fortunately, he can vent all he wants to his four buddies: Yo-less, Bigmac, Wobbler and Kirsty.
If only he had a time machine like the one they just saw at the movie theater, then all of his problems would be solved. He could set his life up to be perfect. On the way home from the time-travel film, they find a shopping cart belonging to homeless, crazy Mrs. Tachyon, who is passed out beside it. After the ambulance hauls the woman off, he puts her cart in his grandfather's garage for safekeeping.
Johnny doesn't look through the cart, though he can't help but notice some weird things in it, like fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, which no one does anymore. Even stranger, the paper looks new but is dated from World War II. Kirsty believes that the cart is a time machine. Johnny disagrees --- until he is hurtled back in time for a few moments.
Back in the present, an ominous black car chases Johnny and his friends. They time-travel, landing in their very own British hometown, on May 21, 1941. Johnny knows that the town was bombed on that day, killing many innocent people. Can Johnny and the gang do anything to change that fact without destroying the future? In the meantime, his pals are accused of being war spies --- and one is in danger of actually being erased by their trip into the past.
JOHNNY AND THE BOMB touches on heavy topics, including war, the nature of time, history (Can it be changed? And can change be a good thing?), gender and racial prejudice, and more --- in a frequently side-splitting and thrilling yet deeply thought-provoking manner. It also continues the Johnny Maxwell tradition of portraying distant "others" (such as people from the depths of history books) as alive and real.
In short, this book is amazing. And highly recommended. (By the way, if you haven't read the first two books in this trilogy, ONLY YOU CAN SAVE MANKIND and JOHNNY AND THE DEAD, you're missing out on some fantastic reading.)
--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon
Related Search : johnny bomb , johnny maxwell , trilogy  |
Author : Richard Rhodes
Number of Pages : 736
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
List Price : $18.95
Amazon Price : $5.87
Used Price : $2.99 |
Product Description Here, for the first time, in a brilliant, panoramic portrait by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Making of the Atomic Bomb, is the definitive, often shocking story of the politics and the science behind the development of the hydrogen bomb and the birth of the Cold War. Based on secret files in the United States and the former Soviet Union, this monumental work of history discloses how and why the United States decided to create the bomb that would dominate world politics for more than forty years. Customer reviews A Dance with Death by .. ct reader (ct)
This is a worthy sequel to the author's Pulitzer Prize winning `The Making of the Atomic Bomb.' It admirably relates the history of post-WW2 atomic weapons (including the Soviet program) and the development of the `Super' (hydrogen/thermonuclear) Bomb. Theoretical and technical challenges are clearly profiled with conceptual, developmental, and testing milestones. Not least, the political context (the Berlin Airlift, Korea, the Cuban Missile Crisis, etc) is also fully explored.
Soviet espionage dating from the earliest efforts at Los Alamos is detailed (Harry Gold, Klaus Fuchs, David Greenglass, the Rosenburgs, Guy Burgess, Donald Maclean, the Cohens). It reveals a ruthless régime (Joseph Stalin and Lavrenti Beria), but also a parent country bled white by the loss of over twenty million in WW2 (and all the more susceptible to new threats). Though espionage no doubt accelerated Soviet progress, able scientists like Igor Kurchatov and Andrei Sakharov fulfilled Bohr's prediction that scientific progress was inevitable across the globe. Prometheus did not discriminate.
Major figures (J. Robert Oppenheimer, Edward Teller, Stanislaw Ulam, Louis Strauss, Curtis LeMay, etc) are also depicted (with the increasingly divisive politics of their times).
The testing of `Mike' 1 November 1952 at Eniwetok revealed a single bomb that yielded 10.4 megatons, more than twice the power of all explosives used in WW2. Subsequent improvements have increased the easy agency and disastrous yield of subsequent generations of this weapon. During the Cuban Missile Crisis SAC had 7,000 megatons in the air ready (and eager?) to strike the USSR.
Does superiority in weapons of mass destruction (liable to kill us even if successfully deployed against an enemy) make us safer or less safe? Is it (as Oppenheimer predicted) a case of "scorpions in a bottle?" Read this account and decide for yourself.
Mega Research by .. Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn)
This book has been roundly condemned for various reasons: Too much politics, personalities, science, history, spying, too liberal, too conservative, etc. Overall, the author achieved his goals rather successfully - telling the story of the era, the people, the events and the scientific breakthroughs that finally produced a thermonuclear weapon (and perhaps prevented an atomic war). Of course, we must travel through the history of the atomic bomb as well, since it preceded the H-bomb by a few years. The scientists continue to fascinate with their genius, ingenuity and drive. Politicians appeared much more human and caring than is generally assumed.
One area that still surprises was the widespread sympathy for the USSR. Why would "intellectuals" be attracted to a barbarian regime that killed tens of millions, used slave labor as state policy and retained power through torture and violence? What possible allure could a destitute land without freedom have? As an aside, in 1992 we were in Russia and frequently heard scorn against "Western idiots" who seriously believed the Soviet leaders or Marxism. The spies, of course, provided the Soviets a huge advantage on their own program, particularly theoretical aspects.
Politics played a heavy hand. Curtis LeMay was Svengali. Through his relentless drive for SAC readiness, he probably prevented the overrun of Europe by the Soviets but his desire for a military victory caused him to go beyond his orders (which were unclear at the time). Truman comes off as a troubled soul who contemplated his every action. It is, however, the scientists - their ideas, emotions, infighting and genius - that hold center stage. THe book is for the well-informed layman, preferably someone with a Physics course under their belt. The author offers some astute observations at the end but the reader realizes that many of these are in hindsight. My Grade - A-
Personal dread as national policy by .. Todd Stockslager (Raleigh, NC)
Rhode's history of thermonuclear weaponry is well written, but the subject seems oddly dated, as if the "Cold War" and the terrors of atomic attack were something from centuries ago, not from my lifetime. The fear, dread, paranoia, and hysteria were very real and very recent, and it is only surely by the restraining hand of God in human history that it continues. Or, as Rhodes concludes, the greatest and only effective deterrent against nuclear war was "personal dread."
This abject and groveling fear in its own way changed history, shaping national policy during the Berlin crisis, the Cuban Missile crisis, in Southeast Asia, and 100 other small places. It made otherwise rational leaders envision and propose a plan to hide nuclear-tipped missiles in train cars and shuttle them continuously around the US--a plan that was proposed in my adult life time (late 70s and early 80s), and seemed positively Gothic (seemingly impossible, yet substantially real) in its horrific nature when I confronted it 20 years later in the display of one of the railroad cars and disarmed missiles in the museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. "Personal dread" indeed.
Teller's story by .. Ed J ()
Book arrived in good time. Monster of a book and will take a long read. Too bad summer is over.
excellent work of history by .. Donald H. Schneider (Fallon, NV)
I have read his Making of the Atomic Bomb, and enjoyed it. This book promises to be just as good and it is. Thanks to Richard Rhodes for making history a good book to read.Recommended
Related Search : dark sun , making hydrogen , bomb  |
Format : Illustrated
Author : Frank Barnaby
Number of Pages : 256
Publisher : Nation Books
List Price : $13.95
Amazon Price : $2.49
Used Price : $2.49 |
Product Description Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are the greatest threat to national security in the twenty-first century. How to Build a Nuclear Bomb explains what it takes for a rogue state or terrorist group to obtain and use them. But nuclear weapons and terrorism expert Frank Barnaby has not written a collection of scare stories. His purpose in How to Build a Nuclear Bomb is to counteract the "misinformation, often put out for propaganda purposes" and general ignorance on this most urgent of topics. Barnaby describes, in straightforward, non-sensational terms what is involved when a state or a terrorist group sets out to make a weapon of mass destruction, what they are capable of doing, and what is needed to produce one. By outlining the parameters of the problem, Barnaby is able to accurately gauge the threat that WMD pose, arguing that counterterrorist measures urgently need to be stepped up to meet the challenges of a new era of international terror. Customer reviews An intelligent, rational discussion of terrorism/counterterrorism by .. Dr. Lee D. Carlson (Saint Louis, Missouri USA)
Only a twisted prankster or a deluded madperson would publish a book on how to build a nuclear weapon. The author of this book however does not fit any of these two categories, and despite the title of this book, he has written a book that covers the issues and horrifying prospects behind chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. The title therefore is somewhat misleading, and one should not expect to find detailed explanations on how to construct a nuclear bomb. Even a terrorist group who was interested or had the knowledge on how to do this would not share this knowledge, preferring instead to keep it to itself.
The book was first targeted to a British audience, but in this new edition one finds a new preface that is directed to readers in the United States. This preface was written after the immoral and illegal invasion of Iraq in the spring of 2003. and the author makes a clear and skeptical allusion to the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. He is concerned with any kind of nuclear development in places like North Korea and Iran, and gives some evidence and insight into the status of their nuclear programs.
In any case the author's purpose in writing the book is in his words to "contribute to informed debate" by giving some details on how weapons of mass destruction can be developed and then used. If the actual building of a nuclear bomb is very difficult, even with weapons grade material available, then perhaps the goal of anti-terrorist planning should be more in the area of chemical and biological weapons, and in strict monitoring of the location of nuclear weapons that are already built. A terrorist group interested in using nuclear weapons in their attacks on civilian populations would find it easier to steal a nuclear weapon than to develop, or perhaps purchase one from a "rogue" state that is sympathetic with their grievances.
The author does not give a general definition of what he considers "terrorism" to be, but a good definition that encapsulates the intent of terrorists would be:
"Terrorism is the deliberate act of killing civilians for the purpose of bringing about a particular end or goal, political or otherwise".
The key part of this definition is in the real intent of killing civilians, rather than them being merely inadvertently killed when in the way of a military target. Thus the attacks on the World Trade Center were clearly terrorism, while the attack on the Pentagon was not, since the latter targeted a military installation. Palestinian suicide attacks against Israeli citizens are also acts of terrorism, as was the purposeful killing of Palestinians when their country was taken over by Zionist forces in 1949. The firebombing of Tokyo and Dresden by the Allies in World War II was also clearly a terrorist act and the nuclear attacks by the United States against Hiroshima and Nagasaki were without doubt acts of terrorism if one accepts the above definition.
Thus individuals from many walks of life and political ideologies practice terrorism, both with primitive weapons and more sophisticated and deadly ones. Although the author does not state it explicitly, to date only the government of the United States has practiced nuclear terrorism, but the author asks the reader to consider whether the threat of nuclear terrorism by other groups or "rogue states" is a real one or one that has been exaggerated. To inflate the threat of terrorism to bring about a particular end or goal, political or otherwise, is a dastardly act, but the possibility of this occurring must be considered alongside the real threat of terrorism. We must be able to distinguish a real threat from an exaggerated one, in order to stay focused on genuine dangers and not those that are hyped up by a particular political party or governmental agenc (a good example being the current regime in Washington).
This is another good reason for reading this book, because it allows a more objective assessment of the effects of weapons of mass destruction, the degree of difficulty in their development, and the likelihood of their use by groups or countries. The author is skeptical of the chances of ridding the world of nuclear weapons, given the ability of countries that have them to obtain "dominant positions" in their regions. Most importantly, he addresses the ability of democratic societies to counter international terrorism without becoming an authoritarian regime in the process. He quotes a study that indicates that the likelihood of finding a terrorist group in a democratic society is 3.5 times the likelihood of finding one in an authoritarian regime. He does not elaborate on how these odds were calculated unfortunately.
Anyone with a strong physics background has no doubt amused herself or himself at one time or another on just how they would build a nuclear bomb, if they were not currently working in nuclear weapons projects. It is natural to have such a curiosity, and this reviewer has been involved in many such conversations over lunch or in front of campfires. Without divulging classified knowledge, the author gives a brief overview of the physics and technology behind nuclear weapons in the book. The physicist reader will definitely find this part of the book interesting, even though the physics is kept at a very low level, in order to allow the book to appeal to a wider audience.
Meager  by .. Seanremruht ()
The book had some erroneous figures causing me to scrutinize the entirety of the information it contained. On top of this I felt it was poorly written with no closing to wrap up, typos, and instead of using a single form of currency when describing worth, Barnaby used several (e.g. Australian, the Euro, USD, Pounds, etc.) and I didn't like consulting a currency converter to make the numbers mean something to me. Overall, it was an informative but scatterbrained and, in my opinion, a useless book he wrote over the weekend to get some extra cash.
By the way: who advertises with a review from the "financial times"? Give me a break.
Short but informative by .. Dimitrios (Greece)
A reference book which does not delve into the exhausting details of the WMD technology but presents in a clear and easy to read text all the essential information. Of course the title is somehow misleading, as the book is not a manual for nuclear bomb producers. The strong point of the book is that it is not necessary for someone to have a PhD in Physics, Bilogy or Chemistry in order to understand the working principles of WMD.
A decent study of the problem of WMD by .. BernardZ (Melbourne, vic Australia)
I have read quite a lot on this subject so I almost did not buy it because I thought from a quickscan that I knew almost all this stuff and it would be too simple. However I certainly learnt much from it. If you are looking for a good book to state the current world situation this book will do the trick in a quite readable form.
Related Search : bomb weapons , mass destruction , build nuclear  |
Author : Joseph Cirincione
Number of Pages : 224
Publisher : Columbia University Press
List Price : $18.95
Amazon Price : $12.35
Used Price : $12.60 |
Product Description Since their inception, nuclear weapons have multiplied at an alarming rate, leaving everyone from policymakers to concerned citizens wondering what it will take to slow, stop, or even reverse their spread. With clarity and expertise, Joseph Cirincione presents an even-handed look at the history of nuclear proliferation and an optimistic vision of its future, providing a comprehensive survey of the wide range of critical perspectives. Cirincione begins with the first atomic discoveries of the 1930s and covers the history of their growth all the way to current crisis with Iran.He unravels the science, strategy, and politics that have fueled the development of nuclear stockpiles and increased the chance of a nuclear terrorist attack. He also explains why many nations choose not to pursue nuclear weapons and pulls from this the outlines of a solution to the world's proliferation problem: a balance of force and diplomacy, enforcement and engagement that yields a steady decrease in these deadly arsenals.Though nuclear weapons have not been used in war since August 1945, there is no guarantee this good fortune will continue. A unique blend of history, theory, and security analysis, "Bomb Scare" is an engaging text that not only supplies the general reader and student with a clear understanding of this issue but also provides a set of tools policymakers and scholars can use to prevent the cataclysmic consequences of another nuclear attack. Customer reviews Highly recommended & a great read by .. Michael J. McKenzie (North Palm Beach, Florida United States)
Joseph Cirincione has provided us with a wonderful, concise history of nuclear weapons and the diplomacy behind the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the atomic era. At 224 pages it is a quick, well written and very informative read and a fantastic introduction to the world of atomic and thermonuclear weapons in an age when nuclear terrorism is a real threat. Readers who do not remember the cold war or students new to the subject will have to seek other source materials to get a true idea of the destructive power and horrors associated with a nuclear detonation (or full on nuclear exchange; less likely in the post cold war era), but that was not the intention of this book. A thorough understanding of the policy implications of weapons reductions strategies, the securing of loose nuclear material and preventing future nuclear states is provided, and the knowledge contained in Bomb Scare will assist voters decision making when selecting leaders to deal with these complex issues.
Strong on policy; watch the physics by .. Bruce Cameron Reed ()
This book reviews the history of nuclear weapons and nonproliferation agreements and offers some solutions to the threat of nuclear terrorism as well as ideas to address lack of security of the nuclear fuel supply and preventing the development of new nuclear-weapon states. Cirincione clearly knows his policy issues and history. As often happens with policy-trained writers, however, some of the technical details get garbled: a discussion of assembly timing issues in the gun and implosion mechanisms of Little Boy and Fat Man are sufficiently garbled as to indicate that the author is unaware of the crucial role of spontaneous fission, and one also finds the patently incorrect assertion that the Sun will be able to synthesize elements as heavy as sulfur. These are quibbles in comparison to the grand themes of nonproliferation and disarmament, but one would expect an author of this experience to be more careful: policy issues can hang on technicalities. For the physics, read Bernstein, Serber, Garwin & Charpak and Hoddeson, et al. Cirincione proposes a multi-national system of assured nuclear fuel services, a sort of updated Baruch plan minus any requirement or incentive for current nuclear weapon states to decrease their arsenals. He is silent, however, concerning the resistance such a scheme would likely face from likely US suspicion of a UN-administered program and the vested interests of producers and consumers of nuclear materials and weapons. He also does not address what to do with waste fuel, not a gram of which seems likely to see the inside of Yucca Mountain anytime soon. His suggestion that Israel consider abandoning its nuclear capability without proposals for security guarantees from its neighbors seems divorced from reality.
Perfect by .. Jeremy Browning (Tempe, Az)
Perfect history of nuclear weapons. I read this short book three times in the span of two months.
A useful introduction to the subject by .. Eben W. Lindsey (Monterey, CA USA)
This slim volume is a good introductory text to the history and politics of Nuclear Proliferation and the challenges that face today's non-proliferation. Cirincione's text is clearly written as an introduction to the subject, but he does the reader the favor of not dumbing down the policy aspects of proliferation any more than is necessary for a 157 page survey of the subject.
The opening chapters are an engaging history of "The Bomb" and attempts to control it, including main scientific and political players in the development of the nuclear weapon, sprinkled with just enough physics to carry the reader through the more nitty-gritty aspects of the non-proliferation agreements that are discussed later in the book.
The rest of the book discussed the theories behind the motivations of proliferation and non-proliferation as well as the challenges that face the current non-proliferation regime. This section is alternately horrifying and hopeful, and the reader is left with many directions in which to think and research.
Well footnoted with a helpful glossary.
Comprehensive, Yet Succinct. Expansive, But Relevant by .. Bruce Roth (Atlanta, Georgia)
Bomb Scare fills in the blank spaces that other books leave. It completes the picture of the history of nuclear weapons and brings into sharper focus their role in the future. It broadened my comprehension of the issues. And, Cirincione provides a balanced assessment of the interplay between policies, politics, and weapons.
Bruce A. Roth
www.daisyalliance.org
Author of No Time To Kill
Related Search : nuclear weapons , history future , bomb scare |
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