The Making of the Atomic Bomb

The book starts off by noting the background of events that led to the development of the atomic bomb, including fanatical dictators, huge enemy armies, nations losing their freedom, etc. It also ties in the rise of Nazi Germany to the economic depression that was going on in the world.

Then the book discusses atomic energy, the splitting of the atom, and how the scientists got FDR interested in the idea of an atomic bomb.

Chapter 2 discusses how the first controlled nuclear reaction was obtained. The next chapter goes into how Los Alamos was found, bought, and built. The book also goes into detail on the various experiments that had to be done to develop the bomb.

A later chapter talks about the first bomb test, and how one of the scientists was concerned that the bomb could destroy the entire state of New Mexico. Others thought the bomb might ignite the Earth's atmosphere.

The discussions about whether to use the bomb, and how to use it, are next covered. Then the dropping of the bomb is covered, along with personal narratives of survivors.

The rest of the book deals with events after Hiroshima, such as the growth of nuclear weapons and efforts to limit that growth.



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