The Boy Who Played with Fusion

Extreme Science, Extreme Parenting, and How to Make a Star

By: Tom Clynes

Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan

Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the story of how an American teenager became the youngest person ever to build a working nuclear fusion reactor.

By the age of nine, Taylor Wilson had mastered the science of rocket propulsion. At 11 his grandmother's cancer diagnosis drove him to investigate new ways to produce medical isotopes. And by 14 Wilson had built a 500-million-degree reactor and become the youngest person in history to achieve nuclear fusion. How could someone so young achieve so much, and what can Wilson's story teach parents and teachers about how to support high-achieving kids?

In The Boy Who Played with Fusion, science journalist Tom Clynes narrates Taylor's extraordinary journey - from his Arkansas home, where his parents fully supported his intellectual passions; to a unique Reno, Nevada, public high school just for academic superstars; to the present, when now 19-year-old Wilson is winning international science competitions with devices designed to prevent terrorists from shipping radioactive material into the country. Along the way Clynes reveals how our education system shortchanges gifted students - and what we can do to fix it.

©2015 Tom Clynes (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Worth Your Time

This was a very interesting, well told story. Definitely worth putting in your library, the fact that it’s in the plus catalogue is even better

interesting insight to a bright child

It is a good look into childhood genius and his story. The ideas of how to best encourage intellectual children seemed helpful too

Science thriller

That anyone can do the things in this book is amazing. For a teenager to do them requires reexamination of standard views of education. The fact that shop courses are no longer part of standard curriculum needs to be changed.

Great Listen. I enjoyed it!

I thought this was an enjoyable and informative read/ listen. Although some might consider it to be largely science based, one can understand why because the person the book was describing is gifted in physics. There is a lot of valuable information to consider when trying to encourage and support your kid's interest, whether gifted or not. The book also highlights the serious socioeconomic and education failings of today and how kids are often confined within the box which can result in serious implications and loss of interest.

Absolutely profound!

Incredible story, superb storytelling, and beautifully narrated. This one is truly a masterpiece and one that I will refer back to time and time again.
The author finishes with this quote "Taylor built a star, then he became one. Now he's lighting up the world." That sums up the details of the book that everyone should take the time to hear/read from start to finish. Buy this one, it's worth more than they are asking. The value is in the lessons of parenting;--considering the sibling dynamic as well.
The only critique that I have for this is that it should be whispersynced with the book. Both are available and I purchased the book after hearing it in full, but they need to be synced. I personally prefer to highlight takeaway word segments than to bookmark audio clips.

Inspiring and insightful

Well read. My family of six listened to this, with my oldest , an 11 year old boy, most inspired. The story was told in such a manner that I was taken in with amazement of experiments and achievements. It has inspired me to parent better, and be a bit more “forward thinking” with education/experimentation in my children’s interests. I have recommended this highly on Facebook. I wonder what Taylor is up to now.

What a great story! Unbelievable. Inspiring.

I couldn't stop thinking the whole time. What an amazing young man. Incredible story. Makes me think about how to be a better parent!

child prodigy

loved it. interestinģ story of young talent. might save the energy crisis?
read this booķ.

Great Details and Crazy Events

I love every aspect of this book. I wanted to be this kid when I was young and I kinda want to again after listening.

A parents must read

I wish I had known Of this book years ago. Having smart but floundering and unchallenged kids in a traditional school system can be aggravating. Finding ways in which I can better challenge & advocate for not only my kiddos learning but for the kids I come across at work as well.