A riveting graphic novel adaptation of the award-winning nonfiction book, Bomb—the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that birthed the arms race and the Cold War.
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 launched a scientific race that spanned three continents.
In Great Britain and the United States, Soviet spies worked their way into the scientific community; in Norway, a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing; and deep in the desert, one brilliant group of scientists, led by "father of the atomic bomb" J. Robert Oppenheimer, was hidden away at a remote site at Los Alamos. 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.
New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin's award-winning nonfiction book is now available reimagined in the graphic novel format. Full color illustrations from Nick Bertozzi are detailed and enriched with the nonfiction expertise Nick brings to the story as a beloved artist, comic book writer, and commercial illustrator who has written a couple of his own historical graphic novels, including Shackleton and Lewis & Clark.
Accessible, gripping, and educational, this new edition of Bomb is perfect for young readers and adults alike.
Praise for Bomb (2012):
"This superb and exciting work of nonfiction would be a fine tonic for any jaded adolescent who thinks history is 'boring.' It's also an excellent primer for adult readers who may have forgotten, or never learned, the remarkable story of how nuclear weaponry was first imagined, invented and deployed—and of how an international arms race began well before there was such a thing as an atomic bomb." —The Wall Street Journal
"This is edge-of-the seat material that will resonate with YAs who clamor for true spy stories, and it will undoubtedly engross a cross-market audience of adults who dozed through the World War II unit in high school." —The Bulletin (starred review)
Also by Steve Sheinkin:
Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown
The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War
Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery
Which Way to the Wild West?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About Westward Expansion
King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution
Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War
Bomb
The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
1 of 1 copy available
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
January 24, 2023 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781250291035
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- ATOS Level: 4.8
- Lexile® Measure: 640
- Interest Level: 6-12(MG+)
- Text Difficulty: 3
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Reviews
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Starred review from December 16, 2022
Gr 5 Up-The world is at war, when suddenly a massive scientific discovery threatens to change weapons and warfare forever. Multiple powers race to be the first to create a super weapon, steal information, sabotage the efforts of others, and even illicitly share information with the enemy. This is the story of the brilliance, lies, plots, and astonishing risks taken to create the most dangerous weapon the world has ever seen-the atomic bomb. The atomic bomb may be one of the most controversial inventions of all time, and this graphic novel adaptation of Sheinkin's Bomb (2012) handles the complex and ultimately unsettling history with honesty and openness. Gripping and fast-paced, the story also brings to light little-known characters such as the Norwegian commandos who prevented Germany from making their own atomic weapons. The science is explained simply, and Bertozzi's full-color illustrations seamlessly unite with the text for an immersive reading experience. Sheinkin does not shy away from the horror of these events, hauntingly moving from the passionate focus of the scientists at work to images and facts that highlight the devastating human toll of their creation. A swear word is included once, but it is in keeping with historical record and it isn't gratuitous. Back matter includes an epilogue and author's note with additional information on some of the historical figures in the book. VERDICT Sheinkin and Bertozzi take the story of one of the most significant events in recent world history and make it accessible to all readers, regardless of background knowledge. Recommended for purchase in all libraries where graphic works are popular.-Emily Beasley
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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Starred review from January 1, 2023
Sheinkin's work of award-winning narrative nonfiction (Bomb, rev. 11/12) is here sharpened by the author's own graphic adaptation -- and portrayed through Bertozzi's skillful cartooning -- amplifying the drama, intrigue, and brutality irrevocably linked with the dawn of the atomic age. In five chapters, roughly spanning the years of WWII, Sheinkin cogently interconnects a massive cast of world leaders, scientists, military personnel, spies, and civilians across a mostly chronological account of the Manhattan Project. Unique for this new edition, Sheinkin chose the post-war interrogation of Harry Gold (a Philadelphia factory worker who spied for the Soviets) as the narrative's through line. This clever bit of storytelling permits the omniscient narrator to seamlessly move between key events as they are discussed during Gold's hardboiled questioning. The Golden Age-style illustrations generally adhere to an efficient three-tier, nine-panel page layout yet regularly shift in size, shape, and number to underscore significant moments and ideas. Notably, a stark white page is used to depict the detonation of the Little Boy atomic bomb over Hiroshima. Back matter includes an author's note describing Sheinkin's adaptation process, while an informative epilogue ends on a slightly more ominous note than the original: "How does this story end? We don't know -- because it's still going on. And, like it or not, you're in it." Patrick Gall(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
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Starred review from August 13, 2012
In his highly readable storytelling style, Sheinkin (The Notorious Benedict Arnold) weaves together tales of scientific and technological discovery, back-alley espionage, and wartime sabotage in a riveting account of the race to build the first atomic weapon. The famous (Robert Oppenheimer) and infamous (spy Harry Gold) headline an enormous cast of characters, which also includes Norwegian resistance fighter Knut Haukelid, whose secret wartime missions prevented Hitler from acquiring an atom bomb. B&w portraits of key players appear in photo-
montages that begin each of the book’s four sections. Sheinkin pulls from numerous sources to supply every chapter with quotations that swiftly move the narrative forward. Suspenseful play-by-play moments will captivate, from the nuclear chain reaction test at the University of Chicago to the preparations for and dropping of the first bomb over Hiroshima. In a “genie out of the bottle” epilogue, details of the Cold War’s escalating arms race and present-day weapons counts will give readers pause, especially Sheinkin’s final thoughts: “It’s a story with no end in sight. And, like it or not, you’re in it.” A must-read for students of history and science. Ages 10–up. (Sept.) ■ -
January 1, 2023
Sheinkin's work of award-winning narrative nonfiction (Bomb, rev. 11/12) is here sharpened by the author's own graphic adaptation -- and portrayed through Bertozzi's skillful cartooning -- amplifying the drama, intrigue, and brutality irrevocably linked with the dawn of the atomic age. In five chapters, roughly spanning the years of WWII, Sheinkin cogently interconnects a massive cast of world leaders, scientists, military personnel, spies, and civilians across a mostly chronological account of the Manhattan Project. Unique for this new edition, Sheinkin chose the post-war interrogation of Harry Gold (a Philadelphia factory worker who spied for the Soviets) as the narrative's through line. This clever bit of storytelling permits the omniscient narrator to seamlessly move between key events as they are discussed during Gold's hardboiled questioning. The Golden Age-style illustrations generally adhere to an efficient three-tier, nine-panel page layout yet regularly shift in size, shape, and number to underscore significant moments and ideas. Notably, a stark white page is used to depict the detonation of the Little Boy atomic bomb over Hiroshima. Back matter includes an author's note describing Sheinkin's adaptation process, while an informative epilogue ends on a slightly more ominous note than the original: "How does this story end? We don't know -- because it's still going on. And, like it or not, you're in it."(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
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