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Author Sullivan, Neil J., 1948- author.

Title The Prometheus bomb : the Manhattan Project and government in the dark / Neil J. Sullivan.

Publication Info. Lincoln : Potomac Books, an imprint of the University of Nebraska Press, [2016]

Copies

Location Call No. Status
 Manchester, Main Library - Non Fiction  355.8 SULLIVAN    Check Shelf
Description xiv, 260 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Summary "The exploration of how key government officials were unaware of the implications of developing the first atomic bomb during World War II, leaving the lives of millions of Americans in the hands of a few brilliant scientists"-- Provided by publisher.
"During World War II, the lives of millions of Americans lay precariously in the hands of a few brilliant scientists who raced to develop the first weapon of mass destruction. Elected officials gave the scientists free rein in the Manhattan Project without understanding the complexities and dangers involved in splitting the atom. The Manhattan Project was the first example of a new type of choice for congressmen, presidents, and other government officials: life and death on a national scale. From that moment, our government began fashioning public policy for issues of scientific development, discoveries, and inventions that could secure or threaten our existence and our future. But those same men and women had no training in such fields, did not understand the ramifications of the research, and relied on incomplete information to form potentially life-changing decisions. Through the story of the Manhattan Project, Neil J. Sullivan asks by what criteria the people in charge at the time made such critical decisions. He also ponders how similar judgments are reached today with similar incomprehension from those at the top as our society dives down the potential rabbit hole of bioengineering, nanotechnology, and scientific developments yet to come"-- Provided by publisher.
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 251-255) and index.
Subject Manhattan Project (U.S.) -- History.
Atomic bomb -- United States -- History.
Atomic bomb -- Government policy -- United States -- History.
United States -- Military policy.
Science and state -- United States.
HISTORY / Military / World War II.
HISTORY / United States / 20th Century.
Genre/Form History. (OCoLC)fst01411628
Subject Manhattan Project (U.S.) (OCoLC)fst00635166
Atomic bomb. (OCoLC)fst00820568
Atomic bomb -- Government policy. (OCoLC)fst00820573
Military policy. (OCoLC)fst01021386
Science and state. (OCoLC)fst01108536
United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
ISBN 9781612348155 (cloth : alkaline paper)
1612348157 (cloth : alkaline paper)
9781612348902 (ePub)
9781612348919 (MOBI)
9781612348926 (PDF)
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