American PrometheusThe Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
Kai Bird - 2007-12-18 (first published in 2005)
"American Prometheus" is a captivating biography that unveils the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer in unprecedented detail. Oppenheimer, the iconic "father of the atomic bomb," was the brain behind the scientific progress surrounding America during WWII. The book follows his journey from education at New York City's Ethical Culture School, to his social justice involvement and establishment of America's leading school of theoretical physics in California. The biography concludes at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where he directed from 1947 to 1966. This book is an essential read for those interested in WWII and Cold War history and how it has influenced our present and future.