Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
American Prometheus
- The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
- Narrated by: Jeff Cummings
- Length: 26 hrs and 30 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.00 for first 30 days
American Prometheus
Buy Now for £25.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
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.
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)
More from the same
What listeners say about American Prometheus
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jonathan catlin
- 14-07-22
A humanising Insight
It is difficult to truly understand someone. This book makes a dam good stab at it.
Whilst aspects are tragic, the story of Robert J Oppenheimer should be celebrated for his commitment to science and human thinking.
He seems ambiguous at times but context defines the nuonces.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 21-10-23
Superb
If you have watched the movie, this book is a perfect complement! Shedding light on key events.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- steve farmer
- 24-09-23
Excellent !!
I saw the film first and decided to give it a go. It’s a long one nut worth the investment . Highly recommend 👍
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Matt W
- 27-05-23
Definitive biography but poor production
Very detailed bio. But the audio, recorded back in 2007, is pretty ropey with varying sound volume and obvious edits.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 13-08-23
Excellent audio book
Decided to listen after watching the film adaptation and it made me realise how true to the book Christopher Nolan was. The book managed to help pad out the story even more. Really enjoyed listening. A life full of contradictions and compromise.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- gregoire
- 30-10-23
Very interesting and well written
Obviously as many other came from the film to the boo and was not disappointed the world and life of J Robert Oppenheimer deserved a well written account of this life. The background of his family and young age were particularly interesting to me
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Manuela Stura
- 18-02-24
Incredible, inimitable life of a unique soul , embodied in mortal vests
Outstanding and monumental work , derailed and never boating . Biography is a tricky genre , the authors put in words a complex and unrepeatable story catching inner and intimate aspects drawing a complete picture of the soul and the man , as well as the facts
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Albert Amazons
- 07-01-23
A fascinating text destroyed by shoddy production.
Either the publisher didn't listen to the finished recording or they did, and don't care about the listeners or being associated with such utter trash.
For the love of Christ, and out of respect for the authors, who have done an amazing job and who I'd imagine are rightly furious with this second rate presentation, spend whatever it takes to get it properly re-recorded and edited by someone with ears. I want my money back.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Stephenodonnell
- 13-01-24
Serious history
Huge insights to US history, the foundation of physics and behaviours of governments. Fantastic and enjoyable
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Christopher Hood
- 01-04-24
So powerful
Like “Six Four” (which I recently listened to) this was another long book. But it’s a very different style book to “Six Four” since this is biography of Robert Oppenheimer. This is the book which the movie “Oppenheimer” was based upon. That the movie was based on this book helped to explain why one of my favourite stories related to the Manhattan Project, where the scientists suddenly realise that they won’t need the ‘gun barrel’ to be reusable as it’ll be evaporated in the explosion, was missing from the movie – it’s not in this book (I’m less clear why it wasn’t included in the book). As well as my own interest interest in atomic weapons, listening to the audiobook also proved to be timely due to some of the discussions I had in a podcast episode I appeared in discussing the 1954 movie “Gojira” (“Godzilla”). Despite there being so many differences in our experiences, backgrounds, etc., I was surprised by just how relatable I found much of Oppenheimer. The book is really well put together. I need to watch the movie again now.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!