American Prometheus

The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer

By: Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin

Narrated by: Jeff Cummings

Length: 26 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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)

Fascinating

Fascinating and gripping story of a man who shepherded the creation of the first atomic bomb; the most significant, complex and largest public works project in history. An enigmatic, brilliant individual that was subsequently crucified in the communist tumult of the 1950's and HUAC. Book recounts very clearly the road between American hero in 1945 and communist sympathizer stripped of US security clearance in 1954.
This book BTW is the basis of Christopher Nolan's film "Oppenheimer"
Very nicely read by Jeff Cummings

very revealing

fascinating look at a very complicated man that changed the world we live in.

Quality of Recording Lacking

Like the story and the fair recollection of the life and times of a very complicated man. The sound level goes up and down through the first 2/3 of the recording, fluctuating between soft and loud.

Great education on the man, his work, and how he was treated.

Interesting lesson on the immature young man, the adaptive and creative adult, and the harassed elder statesman. His work at Los Alamos was only one chapter in an extraordinary life.

The recording appears to have been made at different times, as the volume and intensity of the recording can change.

Excellent text marred by uneven recording

An important and engaging story, marred by what must be the most uneven recording of and Audible selection that I have heard. The constant change in volume and tone were very distracting. I don't know if there were corrections or insertions, but sections sounded almost like a completely different narrator had stepped in.

This should be read in high schools

Best history book I’ve read in a long time enjoy it all the way thru

American Prometheus

A fine and heartbreaking book about the attempted destruction of a brilliant man who dedicated his life to saving the people of the world from nuclear annihilation.

Well documented, interesting biography

Well documented biography of a key scientist and political figure in the XXth century's USA

Exhaustive, excellent story of a brilliant man

Yes. This is a long book and it is a fascinating read for anyone interested in how our world navigated the complex political, philosophical issues generated when science made wide scale human death and destruction possible near the end of WWII. Everyone should read this.

Worth every minute

I saw Nolan’s Oppenheimer and then read this book. I’m so glad that I did things in that order. I absolutely loved the depth that Bird and Sherwin went into and their depth in the research paid off. I will be recommending this book to everyone in every conversation for at least the next year.