American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer

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American Prometheus is the first full-scale biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, 'father of the atomic bomb,' the brilliant, charismatic physicist who led the effort to harness the power of the atom during wartime. Immediately after Hiroshima, he became the most famous scientist of his generation, embodying modern man's confrontation with the consequences of scientific progress.

He proposed international controls over atomic materials, opposing the development of the hydrogen bomb and criticizing plans for nuclear war. His ideas, controversial in the 1950s, led to political actions against him, including hearings that questioned his trustworthiness with nuclear secrets.

This biography provides detailed insights into Oppenheimer's life and times, drawing on archival records, FBI files, and interviews. It chronicles his early education, academic pursuits in Germany, key role in establishing the theoretical physics community in the US, and his leadership at Los Alamos and Princeton.

American Prometheus paints a vivid portrait of mid-century America, exploring the life of a complex man deeply intertwined with major historical events—the Great Depression, WWII, and the Cold War—and offers a compelling perspective on scientific and political history.