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American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin - 4* - My Review

Well-written comprehensive biography of American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. He led the research and development of the atomic bomb and directed the Los Alamos Laboratory. He is widely known as the “father of the atomic bomb.” It is a cradle-to-grave account, covering his birth in 1904, youth, education at Harvard and Cambridge, studies in theoretical physics, support for the left-leaning forces during the Spanish Civil War, interactions with other scientists of the era, involvement in the Manhattan Project, appearance before the House Un-American Activities Committee, activities in retirement, and death from throat cancer in 1967. Much of the material focuses on the events leading up to the revocation of his security clearance and the anti-communist hysteria during the McCarthy era.

It contains a massive amount of detail, providing a perspective on his personality traits as well as clarifying his political involvements. It is a well-rounded portrait, revealing his foibles as well as lauding his accomplishments. I particularly enjoyed the segments that portray the debate about whether or not to use the atomic bomb at the end of WWII, advance warn the Japanese, and notify the other Allies. After it was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Oppenheimer had a change of heart, and attempted to convince the US Government to avoid a nuclear arms race. He opposed the development of the hydrogen bomb.

My personal preference would have been to provide more details about his scientific explorations and perhaps a bit less on side trips into the details of the personal lives of his friends and relationship partners. Oppenheimer was a fascinating and complex individual and this book provides an accessible and enjoyable portrait of one of the most prominent scientists of the twentieth century.