Nazi Science: Myth, Truth, And The German Atomic Bomb

by Mark Walker

Overview

In this book, Mark Walker - a historical scholar of Nazi science - brings to light the overwhelming impact of Hitler's regime on science and, ultimately, on the pursuit of the German atomic bomb. Walker meticulously draws on hundreds of original documents to examine the role of German scientists in the rise and fall of the Third Reich. He investigates whether most German scientists during Hitler's regime enthusiastically embraced the tenets of National Socialism or cooperated in a Faustian pact for financial support, which contributed to National Socialism's running rampant and culminated in the rape of Europe and the genocide of millions of Jews. This work unravels the myths and controversies surrounding Hitler's atomic bomb project. It provides a look at what surprisingly turned out to be an Achilles' heel for Hitler - the misuse of science and scientists in the service of the Third Reich.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780465011889
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	01/06/2008
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	334
Lexile:	1570L (what's this?)
File size:	4 MB

Editorial Reviews

Walker's (German National Socialism and the Quest for Nuclear Power, 1939-1949, Cambridge Univ. Pr., 1989) latest work examines whether most German scientists during Hitler's Third Reich embraced Nazi tenets or entered into a "Faustian pact" for financial support. One intriguing portion of the book deals with the German atomic bomb: "The German atom bomb is like the unicorn. It never really existed." "Hitler's bomb" has spawned a strong debate that should be of interest to anyone studying the questions raised by Nazi Germany. One side states that if there had been a bomb, the core of German scientists would have kept it away from Hitler. The other side states that the German scientists involved would have done whatever was necessary to win the war. Walker shows how the debate continues to be relevant today. Although scholarly, this will be accessible to general readers. Recommended for all academic and large public libraries.-Dennis L. Noble, Sequim, Wash.

Library Journal

Explores the lives, conduct, and work of German scientists during the rise and fall of the Third Reich. Also examines controversies surrounding Hitler's atomic bomb project using newly-released tapes of private conversations between top German physicists obtained after the war. Some b&w photos. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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