• Bomb

  • The Race to Build - and Steal - the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
  • By: Steve Sheinkin
  • Narrated by: Roy Roy Samuelson
  • Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (612 ratings)

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Bomb  By  cover art

Bomb

By: Steve Sheinkin
Narrated by: Roy Roy Samuelson
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Publisher's summary

A Newbery Honor book

A National Book Awards finalist for Young People's Literature

Perfect for middle grade listeners and history enthusiasts, New York Times best-selling author Steve Sheinkin presents the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that birthed the arms race and the Cold War in Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon.

In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned three continents.

In Great Britain and the United States, Soviet spies worked their way into the scientific community; in Norway, a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing; and deep in the desert, one brilliant group of scientists was hidden away at a remote site at Los Alamos. This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.

©2013 Steve Sheinkin (P)2013 Listening Libary

Critic reviews

A Washington Post Best Kids Books of the Year title

“This superb and exciting work of nonfiction would be a fine tonic for any jaded adolescent who thinks history is "boring". It's also an excellent primer for adult readers who may have forgotten, or never learned, the remarkable story of how nuclear weaponry was first imagined, invented and deployed - and of how an international arms race began well before there was such a thing as an atomic bomb.” (The Wall Street Journal)

“This is edge-of-the seat material that will resonate with YAs who clamor for true spy stories, and it will undoubtedly engross a cross-market audience of adults who dozed through the World War II unit in high school.” (The Bulletin - starred review)

What listeners say about Bomb

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Clear and Concise History of the First Bomb

Please note that this book has received awards for its excellence for young adults. I was hesitant at first because I was looking for an adult book covering the science and history on the making of the first nuclear bomb and about Robert Oppenheimer, the father of that first bomb. This book is not in any way childish. It gives a clear and concise history of all the events. I am completely satisfied with the book. It is an excellent place to start. Having read this you want more details, more in-depth information about the main characters. I prefer starting with a background of the entire event before plunging into a book focused on Oppenheimer himself. Now I want to know more about this man. He is fascinating; first he makes the bomb and he is at the same time one of first to be aware of its dangers! I have already begun American Prometheus by Kai Bird, a biography focused just on Oppenheimer.

I gave this book three stars because I like it. It reads like a good Wiki article. It has all the prominent facts. This happened and this happened and then this. One event after another. You get a picture of the path toward the making of the bomb, its actual construction and the political environment of those times – WW2, the race for the scientific knowledge and McCarthyism. It is amazing how differently the people spying for the Soviets were punished….and why each thought the Soviets should have this knowledge.

Having read this book, I now can easily go further. There is little character analysis in this book, and that is what I am looking for in my next book on this topic. You certainly cannot start your education in the tenth grade…..now I have prepared myself.

Concerning the audiobook narration by Roy Samuelson, it was excellent. He doesn’t over-dramatize the lines or the events. They are exciting in themselves and do not need extra emphasis. Good speed and clear enunciation too. I can highly recommend this as an audiobook.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So interesting and great performance!

What a well written book for young people! I am an adult and enjoyed it immensely even though I think it would be best for 5th - 9th graders. Especially those interested in science or engineering, but really anyone who just wants to know about history.

I knew very little about the subject of the Manhattan Project and I would not be interested in an entire adult book on this subject, so this was perfect. The author keeps the suspense going as if it is a spy novel, which is basically is, except it is all true!

After finishing this I went right to the Internet and looked up all these people and places for more information. The actual book gives great timelines and further resources and photos, but the audio is great just for the absorbing story.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Interesting

Book was informational and good I am out of words and have to put more so words words. But it is interesting

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book!

Listened to this on a long drive and loved the storytelling. The right blend of science, suspense and history to keep me entertained. would recommend for young adults also.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting for the whole family!

We wanted to go for long car rides just to listen to this book! My kids are 11, 9, and 7. They were gripped by this story. They learned history and politics. Excellent book!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent history

A must-read on the creation of the first atomic bomb and the immediate and long term consequences of that scientific and military achievement. Loved it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book. I looked forward to listening every day.

Loved this book. I looked forward to listening every day. I learned a lot of things I had never known. Though NOT the book that the Oppenheimer movie is based on, this is a very approachable story specific to the Manhattan project and espionage that was the part I mostly wanted to know when seeing the movie. So I feel this is a good companion book for those mainly interested in the Manhattan project part of the Oppenheimer movie.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Story

I knew so little about this part of history... this is an absolute must-read. He was a complex character but an important example that people can be involved in big and devastating things- and realize it much later. People seemed determined to hang him no matter how emphatically he expressed that his views had changed. We're constantly evolving and this needs to be allowed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Historically essential

I learned so much not only about Oppenheimer but about the spy world and treason.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book

Excellent non fiction story for both adults and kids as young as middle school. Reads like a great spy thriller. Author is very well balanced, which allows the reader to make his own opinion on the various issues discussed. Lector is excellent and clear, making the audiobook a pleasure to listen to.

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