Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

Never close, but always there

Sheinkin, Steve. Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2012.

Plot: A detailed catalog of the discoveries, politics, and actions leading to the creation of the world's first atomic bombs. The story of the weapon covers the pages with intrigue and tension, even through the results are well-known. Still, the title manages to reveal some less-frequently mentioned aspects of the history surrounding one of history's most dramatic changes in warfare.

Genre: History

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Two Miserable Presidents: The Amazing, Terrible, and Totally True Story of the Civil War

Personal Thoughts: The title offers an intriguing view of an often-ignored aspect of modern history. It also manages to avoid much of the "good guys versus bad guys" mentality often plaguing such attempts. However, it does display President Truman unexpectedly negative and Oppenheimer strangely naive in the last few pages. Nevertheless, the book offers an explanation for the tense state of modern warfare, particularly in regards to the fears surrounding wars in the Middle East and Asia.

The book recently received a Newbery Honor.