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Cover of THE IMPOSSIBLE BOMB
4.67

Based on 3 Goodreads ratings

THE IMPOSSIBLE BOMB

by the end of the 1930s, Nazi advances in France, Poland, Denmark, and elsewhere had driven scientists to flee to England, many of them physicists highly motived to put their research toward ending the war. The U.S. had not yet entered the war, but their scientists were beginning similar efforts. The two research entities—the Manhattan Project in the U.S. and the Tube Alloys program in England—managed to join forces despite political machinations and ego\u002Ddriven resistance from Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, each of whom wanted his own country to claim ownership of the bomb. Once the leaders realized that neither side could complete the effort on its own, they signed a secret agreement in August 1943\u003B by December, 60 British scientists joined their American colleagues at Los Alamos and Berkeley, and work on the bomb began in earnest. Williams’ book impeccably documents those events, with an excellent selection of photos, timelines, and maps, along with a handy reference list featuring key players."

Book Details

Publisher:September
Published:1939-01-01
Pages:345
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9780300284

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This gripping science thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes race against time as a brilliant young physicist discovers a world-ending device hidden within a deceptively simple mathematical proo...

Our Review

This gripping science thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes race against time as a brilliant young physicist discovers a world-ending device hidden within a deceptively simple mathematical proof. The narrative masterfully blends cutting-edge theoretical physics with the relentless pace of a global manhunt, forcing its teenage protagonist to outthink shadowy government agencies and a ruthless terrorist cell. It’s a cerebral adventure that makes complex concepts like quantum entanglement and temporal mechanics feel immediate and terrifyingly plausible, appealing directly to fans of smart, science-driven fiction.

What sets this novel apart is its profound respect for the intelligence of its young adult audience, trusting them to grapple with genuine scientific dilemmas without sacrificing an ounce of narrative momentum. The protagonist’s internal struggle—weighing the pure pursuit of knowledge against its potentially catastrophic real-world consequences—provides a powerful, relatable core that will resonate deeply with teens. Readers who relish the intellectual puzzles of The Martian combined with the breakneck tension of a spy novel will find this an utterly absorbing and thought-provoking read from the first page to its stunning conclusion.

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