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  • American Prometheus

  • The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
  • Written by: Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin
  • Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
  • Length: 26 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (65 ratings)

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American Prometheus

Written by: Kai Bird, Martin J. Sherwin
Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
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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.
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What the critics say

"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)

Editorial Review

In American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, authors Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin explore J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life, starting with his proposition of international controls over atomic materials, the infamous Manhattan Project, his vehement opposition to the development of the hydrogen bomb, and criticized plans for a nuclear war.

J. Robert Oppenheimer is one of the most infamous figures of the 20th century. He is heralded as the father of the atomic bomb and nuclear weapons and is seen as the Einstein of his time. J. Robert Oppenheimer was a brilliant physicist who was chairman of the General Advisory Committee of the newly created United States Atomic Energy Commission and led the effort to make the atomic bomb for America. He soon found himself wrestling with his inner thoughts and demons over the moral consequences of scientific progress.

J. Robert Oppenheimer’s words were given the cold shoulder during a world war and eventual tragedy that befell Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Americans such as J. Edgar Hoover, Joseph McCarthy, and the FBI declared that Oppenheimer could not be trusted with America’s nuclear secrets and removed his security clearance. As fear of the Communist Party in America grew, so did opposition towards J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography, Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s fiery slice of American history is a must-listen for any history buff. Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin masterfully retell Oppenheimer’s life from his early history to his pivotal role in the Cold War.

The motion picture Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Cillian Murphy in the titular role of J. Robert Oppenheimer, is inspired by this definitive biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer. American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer is an often untold slice of American history.

What listeners say about American Prometheus

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

Great insight into a complicated person.

A great companion to the film. If you enjoyed the film, then read this book it was based on. Plus some interesting history of quantum physics. Highly recommended.

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

Excellent book, poor sound editing

Both the book and the narration are excellent, but almost every line sounds like it was recorded on a different day from the last. This results in annoyingly inconsistent volume from line to line.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Epic

Many people have said I should read this book, so I finally did. It is truly epic. It answers (mostly) my questions about how someone can be involved in creating the atomic bomb, and rationalize it, and live with themselves. How he was treated afterwards was eye opening. At the end they describe the difference between the book / his life, and the movie version… I’m glad I went with the 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
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    5 out of 5 stars

A profound and moving book

Superb! This book is large, but it never feels long. The title actually captures all of it, "triumph and tragedy". Mr. Oppenheimer's patriotism and competence in developing The Bomb, combined with his deep regret that it was ever used, all comes shining through. The travesty of his trials in the McCarthy era, with his enemies searching for Communist sympathizers, is epic. The family dramas are heart-wrenching. One of the best biographies I have ever read.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The greatest period piece surrounding the Atomic bomb

Dislikes: Too over detailed in non trivial topics and people.
Likes: Overall characterization of Robert Oppenheimer surrounding his life and the era piece on atomic warfare. Tensions between soviet Russia and America and the Mcarthy period within history.
Overall a classic must read

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

Phenomenal

One of the best reads I’ve ever read. Thorough, entertaining, well written: would love more like this. Books I mean, no world events

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good book. Not exactly what I expected.

Entertaining. Well told. Lots of detail. I didn’t realize the security clearance trials were such a profound part of his life. It was interesting but a tad tedious at times.

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

Aimless, not entertaining, and the worst textbook

If you just want to know about the atomic bomb, read a book about that. I would have stopped if not for a book club, but I nearly did regardless.
If the point was to be educated, the important info is bogged down by useless happenings. Not every dinner party is important.
As for entertainment, it's a chronological snoozefest. You only care about the bomb, but that's halfway in, where most people have already quit.
I would say it tries to be both informative and interesting and misses the mark on both, but I don't think it bothered to want the reader to keep going, unless they needed reference text for an essay.
This is a fence-sitting recounting of facts that makes you hate the people it's about AND the people involved in its creation.
Read his wiki page and you'll have learned the same amount, saved 20 hours and be more entertained with a banner ad that might pop up.

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

Alternate vantage point of mid 20th century histor

It is a remarkable account of the time if not a bit slow and repetitive. I love a good historical biography. It is a bit jarring how more it jumps around with asides in different time, making hard to keep track of the timeline.

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

Great story - inconsistent recording quality

Thoroughly enjoyed the content and story, overall very well written. However this book fell far short on the delivery front. It was clear parts where recorded in entirely different locations/studios so mid paragraph the volume would entirely change and the quality would drop which was very annoying. In some cases in would flip quality every few sentences which was incredibly frustrating.

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