Items related to Before the Fall-Out: From Marie Curie to Hiroshima
A history of the Atomic Bomb from Marie Curie to Hiroshima.
“I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”
— Oppenheimer quoting the Bhagavad Gita after witnessing the successful demonstration of the atom bomb.
The bomb, which killed an estimated 140,000 civilians in Hiroshima and destroyed the countryside for miles around, was one of the defining moments in world history. That mushroom cloud cast a terrifying shadow over the contemporary world and continues to do so today. But how could this have happened? What led to the creation of such a weapon of mass destruction?
From the moment scientists contemplated the destructive potential of splitting the atom, the role of science changed. Ethical and moral dilemmas faced all those who realized the implications of their research. Before the Fall-Out charts the chain of events from Marie Curie’s scientific breakthrough through the many colourful characters such as Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer and Lord Rutherford, whose discoveries contributed to the bomb.
The story of the atomic bomb spans 50 years of prolific scientific innovation, turbulent politics, foreign affairs and world-changing history. Through personal stories of exile, indecision and soul-searching, to charges of collaboration, spying and deceit, Diana Preston presents the human side of an unstoppable programme with a lethal outcome.
“I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”
— Oppenheimer quoting the Bhagavad Gita after witnessing the successful demonstration of the atom bomb.
The bomb, which killed an estimated 140,000 civilians in Hiroshima and destroyed the countryside for miles around, was one of the defining moments in world history. That mushroom cloud cast a terrifying shadow over the contemporary world and continues to do so today. But how could this have happened? What led to the creation of such a weapon of mass destruction?
From the moment scientists contemplated the destructive potential of splitting the atom, the role of science changed. Ethical and moral dilemmas faced all those who realized the implications of their research. Before the Fall-Out charts the chain of events from Marie Curie’s scientific breakthrough through the many colourful characters such as Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer and Lord Rutherford, whose discoveries contributed to the bomb.
The story of the atomic bomb spans 50 years of prolific scientific innovation, turbulent politics, foreign affairs and world-changing history. Through personal stories of exile, indecision and soul-searching, to charges of collaboration, spying and deceit, Diana Preston presents the human side of an unstoppable programme with a lethal outcome.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Diana Preston is a historian, writer and broadcaster. Her books include: The Road to Culloden Moore: A First Rate Tragedy; Robert Falcon Scott and the Race to the South Pole; The Boxer Rebellion; and Wilful Murder: The Sinking of the Lusitania.
Review:
“The great, enthralling story of the race to build the bomb is often as complicated and full of twists as nuclear physics itself. . . .”
–Joseph Kanon, author of Los Alamos
“Preston’s revelatory history is rich in telling moments, powerful personalities, intense confrontations, and indelible images of the devastation delivered by nuclear weapons.”
–Booklist
“What Preston does better than any other writer is to capture the human aspects of the frankly exciting race to create a nuclear weapon . . .”
–Chicago Sun-Times
From the Trade Paperback edition.
–Joseph Kanon, author of Los Alamos
“Preston’s revelatory history is rich in telling moments, powerful personalities, intense confrontations, and indelible images of the devastation delivered by nuclear weapons.”
–Booklist
“What Preston does better than any other writer is to capture the human aspects of the frankly exciting race to create a nuclear weapon . . .”
–Chicago Sun-Times
From the Trade Paperback edition.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDoubleday UK
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 0385604386
- ISBN 13 9780385604383
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages352
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BEFORE THE FALL-OUT: FROM MARIE
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Doubleday UK
(2005)
ISBN 10: 0385604386
ISBN 13: 9780385604383
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