Author: Steve Sheinkin
# of Pages: 266 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Nonfiction, Science
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: 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, dealing with the tiniest of particles, launched a cut-throat race that would span three continents The plays were the greatest scientists, the most expert spies, hardened military commandos, and some of the most ruthless dictators who ever lived. The prize: military dominance over the entire world.
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.
Review: A word of advice: try not to read this book in public.
I had been reading this book among a group of people I was only barely acquainted with, and I was receive many strange glances when the passed by me. It wasn't until one of the squinted at me and said, "I'm watching you!" did I realize that they were reading the header of the section: How to Build an Atomic Bomb.
Of course, feel free to read this out in public. Most people won't really care. All jokes aside, this was an amazing nonfiction book. The story and the concept of the atomic bomb was very easy to understand while also being entertaining. There are A LOT of different people involved, which means there are a lot of different names. Sheinkin tries to remind the reader ever so often of who's who (and if all else fails, there's an index in the back), but trying to remember everyone involved was a little disruptive of the flow of reading.
If you are looking for a good nonfiction book, give this one a try!
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