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American Prometheus

The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer

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American Prometheus

By: Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin
Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
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About this listen

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. 20th Century Historical Modern Physics Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology War Imperialism Nuclear War Soviet Union Military Socialism Russia Cold War

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)
All stars
Most relevant  
Great time enjoying a deeper insight into Oppenheimer and his life. Watched the film halfway through this book, and it was nice to see the adaptation being as faithful in areas as possible. An informative audio book on a very important scientist and historical moment in the 20th century.

Insightful and intriguing

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The authors have written an amazing story very thoroughly and articulately.
The narration is a letdown--choppy audio that seems to change in quality. It almost seems pieced together and is quite distracting.

Excellent story; choppy audio

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Very thorough and mostly even-handed. The author’s disgust with Strauss, Oppenheimer’s foe, is palpable at every mention. A fascinating listen.

Fascinating read/listen

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Absolutely loved this story, It was truly the triumph and tragedy of Oppenheimer. Great narration.

brilliant story

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I watched the recent movie and despite its Oscars and cinematic drama, I found it shallow, frustrating and impossible to piece together the real story behind the man. Here is the perfect antidote which presents a clear chronological portrait of his life and the political upheavals of the time - and the narrator does a good job albeit a few quirky pronunciations! The Republican Democrat / conservative liberal divide in US is laid bare - as is the no holds barred approach to destroying your adversary which appears as relevant today in US politics!

Well presented chronological history of a great man

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Decided to listen to this after I watched the movie. I'm a big fan.

Loved it!

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This exhaustive exploration of the life of "Oppy" is consistently interesting, including the great rivalries with Lewis Strauss and lesserly Edward Teller that contributed to his fall, and the role of FBI and McCarthyist communist phobia.
The narration though is very inconsistent. Sudden changes in tone and quality, poor pronunciation, and very uneven forays into foreign accents for some characters. Really jerked me out of the story on numerous occasions. At times I wondered if there were two people reading it, often when there were names of physicists or others.
If you want the back story to the movie this is definitely the book for you.

Fascinating story, poor production

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Never knew the entire story of Oppenheimer until I heard this book. The Amazing but sad journey of a intellect is minutely captured in this book. And once again a great narration from Jeff. I always knew Openheimer as the father of the atom bomb - after reading this book I now know that he won’t be proud of that title.

Touching

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Only limited by poor sound editing. Randomly chops between two qualities of narrator. Needs a re-recording.

Great story

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A complex character…a complex story. Drives home, yet again, the evils of politics. And, yes, he was a tragic figure but also a very privileged one.

Complex

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