Making and Using the Atomic Bomb

by McKain, Mark

• ISBN13: 9780737714135
• ISBN10: 0737714131
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-11-01
• Publisher: Greenhaven Pr

Summary

Scientists relate the discovery of nuclear fission in the 1930s and the harnessing of this power to build weapons of mass destruction. A U.S. president and top military officials discuss the ultimate decision to use these new atomic bombs to end a long and costly world war.

Table of Contents

Foreword	11	(2)
Introduction: History of the Atomic Bomb	13	(24)
Discovery of Fission
Chapter Preface	37	(2)
Energy from Nuclei	39	(9)
Otto R. Frisch
Publishing the Secret of Fission	48	(8)
Leo Szilard
Warning of the Dangers of Nuclear Technology	56	(11)
Edward Teller
The MAUD Report
The MAUD Committee	67	(9)
The Manhattan Project
Chapter Preface	76	(2)
The First Chain Reaction	78	(7)
Corbin Allardice
Edward R. Trapnell
Manufacturing Plutonium and Uranium-235	85	(10)
Arthur H. Compton
The Work at Los Alamos and Alamogordo	95	(10)
Leslie R. Groves
The Trinity Test
the United States War Department	105	(9)
The Conscience of a Physicist	114	(12)
Robert R. Wilson
Using the Bomb
Chapter Preface	124	(2)
Scientists Caution Against Using the Bomb
the Committee on Political and Social Problems	126	(10)
The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb	136	(11)
Henry L. Stimson
Choosing a Target
the Target Committee	147	(10)
Dropping the Atom Bomb	157	(12)
Paul W. Tibbets Jr.
A President's Responsibility	169	(16)
Harry S. Truman
The Aftermath
Chapter Preface	183	(2)
Surviving the Hiroshima Blast	185	(12)
Agawa Hiroyuki
Kazuko Hiroyuki
Surveying the Damage to Nagasaki and Hiroshima	197	(13)
Kenneth D. Nichols
Stafford L. Warren
Proposing an Atomic Energy Agency	210	(9)
Dwight D. Eisenhower
The Need for a National Nuclear Energy Program
the Atomic Energy Commission	219	(8)
Chronology	227	(5)
For Further Research	232	(3)
Index	235