The Intertwined Lives of Three Geniuses – 5 stars
The Manhattan Project brought together the most geniuses, near-geniuses, and Nobel Prize winners at one time ever in history to work towards a common goal. This book focuses on three of these scientists and their interactions during the crucial time of the development of the atomic bomb and the years beyond as newer and more powerful bombs were developed. The scientists at the center of this biographical and historical study are J. Robert Oppenheimer, Ernest Lawrence, and Edward Teller.
No matter how smart, how accomplished, or how successful these geniuses were, they were still underneath it all human beings with all of the frailties, jealousies, and emotions that are part of every non-genius. This book does an excellent job of exploring the backgrounds of each of the three scientists and how they were forced to work together towards the goal of solving the mysteries of building working and dependable weapons of mass destruction in spite of their personal and professional politics, disagreements, and jealousy.
Oppenheimer’s problems with the FBI and his security clearance after the war are covered as well, which ultimately brought an end to his involvement in the work on future bomb research.
The book is meticulously researched and includes extensive notes.
Recommended.