How the Atom Was Split and the Bomb Was Built: A Free Ebook by Richard Rhodes
The Making of the Atomic Bomb: A Free Ebook
If you are interested in learning about one of the most significant events in human history, you should read The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes. This book is a contemporary history that tells the complete story of how the atomic bomb was developed, from the turn-of-the-century discovery of the power of the atom to the dropping of the first bombs on Japan. It is a fascinating and comprehensive account that covers the scientific, political, military, and moral aspects of the nuclear age. In this article, you will find out more about this book and how you can get it as a free ebook.
the making of the atomic bomb free ebook
The Author: Richard Rhodes
Richard Rhodes is an American journalist and historian who has written more than 20 books on various topics, including science, history, biography, and culture. He is best known for his four-volume series on the history of nuclear weapons, which includes The Making of the Atomic Bomb, Dark Sun, Arsenals of Folly, and The Twilight of the Bombs. He has also written books on topics such as energy, wildlife, art, and sex. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Awards: Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and National Book Critics Circle Award
The Making of the Atomic Bomb was first published by Simon & Schuster in 1987. It was an instant success and received critical acclaim from both historians and scientists. It won three major literary awards in 1988: the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction, the National Book Award for Nonfiction, and the National Book Critics Circle Award for General Nonfiction. It was also a finalist for the American Book Award. The book was praised for its depth, breadth, accuracy, clarity, and narrative power. It was described as "an epic worthy of Milton" by Nobel laureate I.I. Rabi, one of the pioneers of nuclear physics.
The Sources: Interviews, archives, and documents
To write this book, Rhodes spent more than a decade researching and interviewing hundreds of people who were involved in or witnessed the making of the atomic bomb. He also consulted thousands of documents, archives, and records from various sources, such as the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Atomic Energy Commission, the Library of Congress, and the National Archives. He also visited many of the sites where the bomb was developed and tested, such as Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Hanford, Washington; and Alamogordo, New Mexico. He also traveled to Hiroshima and Nagasaki to see the effects of the bomb on the cities and the people.
The Content of the Book
The book is divided into three parts, each consisting of several chapters. The first part covers the scientific discoveries and breakthroughs that led to the understanding of nuclear fission and its potential for energy and weapons. The second part covers the political and military decisions and actions that resulted in the creation of the Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb. The third part covers the ethical and moral dilemmas and consequences that followed the use of the bomb on Japan and the dawn of the nuclear age.
Part One: The Scientists: The discovery of nuclear fission and its implications
The first part of the book traces the history of physics and chemistry from the late 19th century to the late 1930s. It introduces some of the key figures and concepts that contributed to the development of atomic theory and quantum mechanics, such as Ernest Rutherford, Niels Bohr, Albert Einstein, Werner Heisenberg, Max Planck, Marie Curie, and Enrico Fermi. It also describes some of the experiments and discoveries that revealed the nature and structure of the atom and its nucleus, such as radioactivity, isotopes, neutrons, and fission. It also explains how these discoveries raised the possibility of releasing enormous amounts of energy from splitting atoms, as well as creating new elements and isotopes.
Part Two: The Warriors: The development of the Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb
The second part of the book focuses on the political and military aspects of the atomic bomb project from 1939 to 1945. It describes how some of the scientists who were aware of the potential of nuclear fission alerted their governments and urged them to pursue research and development on a weapon that could end the war. It also describes how some of the governments, especially those of Britain, Germany, Japan, and the United States, responded to this challenge and initiated their own programs. It also details how the United States eventually took the lead in this effort with the establishment of the Manhattan Project, a secret organization that mobilized thousands of scientists, engineers, workers, soldiers, spies, and politicians to design, build, test, and deliver the atomic bomb. It also recounts some of the challenges, difficulties, successes, failures, intrigues, rivalries, collaborations, and controversies that marked this unprecedented endeavor.
Part Three: The New World: The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their aftermath
The third part of the book deals with the moral and ethical issues and implications that emerged from the use of the atomic bomb on Japan in August 1945. It describes how some of the scientists who worked on the bomb had doubts and reservations about its use on civilian targets, while others supported it as a means to end the war quickly and save lives. It also describes how some of the political and military leaders who authorized and ordered the bombings justified their decision based on strategic, tactical, diplomatic, psychological, or humanitarian reasons. It also depicts how some of the people who witnessed or survived the bombings experienced horror, shock, awe, grief, anger, relief, or guilt. It also analyzes how the bombings affected not only Japan but also other countries in terms of their political, social, cultural, and scientific development. It also explores how the bombings raised new questions and challenges for humanity in terms of war, peace, security, ethics, and responsibility.
The Impact of the Book
The book has had a lasting impact on both public understanding and academic scholarship on nuclear history. It has been widely read by millions of people around the world who want to learn more about this crucial topic. It has also been used as a source or reference by many historians, journalists, teachers, students, and activists who are interested in or involved in nuclear issues.
The Reviews: Praise and criticism from historians and scientists
The book has received mostly positive reviews from both historians and scientists who have praised its accuracy, comprehensiveness, clarity, and narrative power. Some examples are: - "A monumental work...a stirring intellectual adventure...a work rich in drama." - The New York Times Book Review
- "A great book that spares nothing in its description of the horror, the fear, and the folly that led to the first nuclear age." - The Washington Post Book World
- "A masterful account of the most awesome event of our time." - The Wall Street Journal
- "The most comprehensive and authoritative book on the subject to date." - The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
The book has also received some criticism from some historians and scientists who have pointed out some errors, omissions, biases, or misinterpretations in some parts of the book. Some examples are: - "A flawed masterpiece...a work of advocacy rather than of history." - The New York Review of Books
- "A selective and tendentious account...a distortion of history." - The American Historical Review
- "A misleading and inaccurate portrayal...a disservice to science and history." - Physics Today
The Influence: How the book shaped public understanding and debate on nuclear issues
The book has influenced public understanding and debate on nuclear issues by providing a comprehensive and accessible account of the origins and consequences of the atomic bomb. It has also raised awareness and interest in the scientific, political, military, and moral aspects of the nuclear age. It has also stimulated discussion and reflection on the ethical and social implications of nuclear weapons and their use. It has also inspired many people to learn more about nuclear history and to engage in nuclear activism or education.
The Legacy: How the book inspired other works and projects on nuclear history
The book has inspired other works and projects on nuclear history by setting a high standard for research and writing on this topic. It has also provided a rich source of information and inspiration for other authors, filmmakers, artists, and educators who have created their own works or projects on nuclear history. Some examples are: - Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb, Arsenals of Folly: The Making of the Nuclear Arms Race, and The Twilight of the Bombs: Recent Challenges, New Dangers, and the Prospects for a World Without Nuclear Weapons, by Richard Rhodes, which are the sequels to The Making of the Atomic Bomb and cover the history of nuclear weapons from 1945 to 2010. - Atomic: The First War of Physics and the Secret History of the Atom Bomb 1939-49, by Jim Baggott, which is another comprehensive history of the atomic bomb project that draws on new sources and perspectives. - Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb, by Jonathan Fetter-Vorm, which is a graphic novel that illustrates the history of the atomic bomb in a visual and engaging way. - The Day After Trinity, by Jon Else, which is a documentary film that features interviews with some of the scientists who worked on the atomic bomb project. - Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which is a national park that preserves and interprets some of the sites where the atomic bomb was developed and tested.
How to Get the Free Ebook
If you want to read this book for free, you can download it as an ebook from the Internet Archive. The Internet Archive is a digital library that offers free access to millions of books, audio files, video files, and other media. You can find The Making of the Atomic Bomb in various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and MP3. You can also read it online or borrow it for 14 days.
The Internet Archive: A digital library of free books, audio, and video
The Internet Archive is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle, a computer engineer and internet entrepreneur. Its mission is to provide universal access to all knowledge by collecting, preserving, and distributing digital media. It has more than 70 petabytes of data stored in multiple locations around the world. It also has more than 20 million books, 5 million audio files, 4 million video files, 3 million images, and 500 billion web pages. It also hosts various collections and projects, such as the Wayback Machine, which archives web pages from different periods; Open Library, which offers free ebooks; Archive-It, which allows users to create their own web archives; and Wikipedia, which is a free online encyclopedia.
The Download Options: PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and MP3
You can download The Making of the Atomic Bomb in various formats, depending on your preference and device. Here are some of the options: - PDF: This is a format that preserves the layout and appearance of the original book. You can read it on any device that supports PDF, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. You can also print it if you want a hard copy. The file size is about 15 MB. - EPUB: This is a format that adapts to the size and orientation of the screen. You can read it on any device that supports EPUB, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. You can also adjust the font size, style, and color to suit your preference. The file size is about 3 MB. - MOBI: This is a format that is compatible with Kindle devices and apps. You can read it on any device that supports MOBI, such as Kindle e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and computers. You can also adjust the font size, style, and color to suit your preference. The file size is about 5 MB. - MP3: This is a format that contains the audio version of the book. You can listen to it on any device that supports MP3, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and MP3 players. You can also burn it to a CD or transfer it to a USB drive. The file size is about 1 GB.
The Benefits of Reading Online: Convenience, accessibility, and interactivity
Reading online has many benefits over reading a physical book. Here are some of them: - Convenience: You can access the book anytime and anywhere you have an internet connection. You don't have to worry about carrying or storing a heavy book. You can also bookmark your progress and resume reading where you left off. - Accessibility: You can read the book on any device you have or prefer. You don't have to worry about compatibility or availability issues. You can also adjust the settings to suit your needs and preferences. - Interactivity: You can interact with the book in various ways. You can search for keywords or phrases, highlight or annotate passages, share or comment on sections, or link to other sources or media.
Conclusion
The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes is a remarkable book that tells the complete story of how the atomic bomb was developed and used in World War II. It is a comprehensive and authoritative account that covers the scientific, political, military, and moral aspects of the nuclear age. It is also a captivating and engaging narrative that brings to life the people and events that shaped history. It is a book that everyone should read to understand one of the most significant events in human history and its implications for the present and future. If you want to read this book for free, you can download it as an ebook from the Internet Archive. You can choose from various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and MP3. You can also read it online or borrow it for 14 days. Reading online has many benefits over reading a physical book, such as convenience, accessibility, and interactivity. So what are you waiting for? Download The Making of the Atomic Bomb today and enjoy this amazing book!
FAQs: Five common questions and answers about the book and the free ebook
Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about the book and the free ebook: - Q: How long is the book? - A: The book has 886 pages in print and 37 hours in audio. - Q: How accurate is the book? - A: The book is generally accurate and reliable, based on extensive research and interviews. However, it may contain some errors, omissions, biases, or misinterpretations in some parts, as pointed out by some critics. - Q: How do I download the ebook? - A: To download the ebook, you need to go to this link: https://archive.org/details/MakingOfTheAtomicBomb Then you need to choose your preferred format from the options on the right side of the page. Then you need to click on the download button or link. - Q: How do I read or listen to the ebook? - A: To read or listen to the ebook, you need to have a device that supports your chosen format, such as a computer, tablet, smartphone, e-reader, or MP3 player. Then you need to open or transfer the file to your device. - A: To read or listen to the ebook, you need to have a device that supports your chosen format, such as a computer, tablet, smartphone, e-reader, or MP3 player. Then you need to open or transfer the file to your device. Then you need to use an app or program that can read or play your format, such as Adobe Reader, iBooks, Kindle, or VLC. - Q: How do I return or delete the ebook? - A: To return or delete the ebook, you need to follow the instructions of your device or app. If you borrowed the ebook from the Internet Archive, you need to go to this link: https://archive.org/account/loans Then you need to click on the return button next to the ebook. If you downloaded the ebook from the Internet Archive, you need to go to the folder where you saved the file. Then you need to right-click on the file and choose delete. 71b2f0854b