Bomb, Steve Sheinkin
Bomb, Steve Sheinkin
9 Rating(s)
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Bomb
The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

Author: Steve Sheinkin

Narrator: Roy Samuelson

Unabridged: 7 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/08/2013


Synopsis

Perfect for middle grade readers and history enthusiasts, New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin presents the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that birthed the arms race and the Cold War in Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon.

A Newbery Honor book
A National Book Awards finalist for Young People's Literature
A Washington Post Best Kids Books of the Year title

In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned three continents.

In Great Britain and the United States, Soviet spies worked their way into the scientific community; in Norway, a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing; and deep in the desert, one brilliant group of scientists was hidden away at a remote site at Los Alamos. This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.

“This superb and exciting work of nonfiction would be a fine tonic for any jaded adolescent who thinks history is 'boring.' It's also an excellent primer for adult readers who may have forgotten, or never learned, the remarkable story of how nuclear weaponry was first imagined, invented and deployed―and of how an international arms race began well before there was such a thing as an atomic bomb.” ―The Wall Street Journal

“This is edge-of-the seat material that will resonate with YAs who clamor for true spy stories, and it will undoubtedly engross a cross-market audience of adults who dozed through the World War II unit in high school.” ―The Bulletin (starred review)

About The Author

Steve Sheinkin is the award-winning author of several fascinating books on American history, most recently The Notorious Benedict Arnold, which won the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for nonfiction, and received three starred reviews. He lives in Saratoga Springs, NY.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Barbara on March 06, 2021

In this book, Steve Sheinkin describes the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Author Steve Sheinkin Once scientists learned that uranium atoms could be split, leading to a chain reaction that would cause an enormous explosion, the race for an atomic bomb was on. Splitting uranium ato......more

Goodreads review by Jim on January 18, 2015

Do you like spy thrillers? If so, this nonfiction sketch of the birth of the atomic bomb is the place to see where the modern ones were born. The accounts are barebones, often understated, but the outline is all there from trying to stop Hitler from building his own atomic bomb by destroying the hea......more

Goodreads review by Janssen on September 01, 2021

Unbelievably good. Some of the best non-fiction I've read. Full review: [URL not allowed]......more

Goodreads review by Kristine on January 07, 2015

Move over, John Grisham (? or Robert Ludlum?), this is a compelling spy story at it's finest. The best part? It's all true! I'm flabbergasted by the sheer amount of work and research it took for Sheinkin to weave the tales of the US racing to build an atom bomb, the Soviets' attempt to steal it, and......more