Play Audiobook Sample
Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(4.01) - 1,472 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Perfect for middle grade readers and history enthusiasts, New York Times bestselling author Steve Sheinkin presents the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that birthed the arms race and the Cold War in Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. A Newbery Honor book A National Book Awards finalist for Young People's Literature A Washington Post Best Kids Books of the Year title 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 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. “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)
Download and start listening now!
"I knew that this book had definitely brought home some impressive hardware this awards season, but I was still skeptical that I was going to like it. I seem to keep saying "I don't really like history, but..." an awful lot lately. Maybe that means that the books are getting better? I really think that what did it for me with "Bomb" was the focus on all the spying that was going on in the middle of creating the most deadly weapon the world had ever known. Intrigue? Covert operations? I just recently watched the entire "Alias" series, so I guess I was in spy withdrawal. The science is solid, the history is interesting and I'm really impressed that I enjoyed it so much. Read it!"
— Emily (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“A pulse-pounding history…His tale is a lively one, peppered with arresting first-person quotations, and it never takes too long to immerse readers in what he calls, with considerable understatement, ‘a big story.’”
— New York Times Book Review -
“In this fast-paced thriller that happens to be fascinatingly true…[Sheinkin] brings to intriguing life the historical figures who can seem so remote to modern kids.”
— Washington Post -
“Superb and exciting…[It’s] 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.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“A must read.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Reads like an international spy thriller, and that’s the beauty of it.”
— School Library Journal -
“It combines elements of a gripping suspense thriller with the plain truth and realism of its subject, ever reminding us of the ‘story’ within history.”
— VOYA -
“[A] complicated thriller that inter-cuts action with the deftness of a Hollywood blockbuster.”
— Booklist -
“A superb tale of an era and an effort that forever changed our world.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review) -
“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.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Awards
-
A New York Times bestseller
-
A 2013 Newbery Honor Recipient
-
A 2012 Washington Post Best Book of the Year for Kids
-
A 2013 ALA Notable Book for Children
-
A 2012 National Book Award
Bomb Listener Reviews
-
" A thriller! No wonder it received so many awards. "
— Debra, 2/9/2014 -
" What a great account of this historical event. Written in a style like a piece of fiction. This made it a fast read. "
— Marge, 1/27/2014 -
" Never really knowing much about our countries history, I was blown away reading this book. It has so much information about the first atomic bomb and the race to be the first country to make this powerful weapon. So many people in our country worked towards the goal of getting back at Japan. While Russia and Germany were also trying to create this piece of mass destruction. A book for anyone looking for a great Non-Fiction genre. "
— Erik, 1/22/2014 -
" Excellent narrative nonfiction. He really knows how to tell a story. And it was a fascinating story! "
— Dana, 1/16/2014 -
" To be honest, the subject of this book is not something I am real interested in. However, after hearing so many great things about the book I decided to give it a try. Wow! What an amazing book! At times I forgot I was reading nonfiction because it read like fiction. Great book to add to your must-reads! "
— Krista, 1/16/2014 -
" Superb, super-suspenseful, thoughtful Sibert-worthy book about the U.S. race against the Germans to build the first A-bomb, the Soviets efforts to steal the plans, and the allied (especially the Norwegian allies) heroic fight to destroy and thwart the German efforts. Highly recommended for ages 9 to 99. "
— Clay, 1/9/2014 -
" Bomb deserves all those awards it received. It takes a well-known subject and looks at it from a different angle, giving you a much broader understanding of history, and in a very exciting and entertaining package. And it's written at middle-school level. I would recommend this to anyone--even nonfiction haters. "
— Tracey, 1/8/2014 -
" I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for the curse words throughout. They were quotes, but still for a juvenile book, they could have used *** in my opinion. It is like a thrilling spy movie and grabs your attention from the first page. "
— Christina, 12/31/2013 -
" This is a quick read giving you an eye witness view of the creation of the atomic bomb. This is a non fiction book that reads like a novel. Young adults who enjoy spy books will enjoy reading it. I enjoyed it for the historical information. "
— Michelle, 9/8/2013 -
" Loved this one, it was exciting, shocking and a really quick read. I can understand why this book won all the awards it did. "
— Jacqueline, 9/8/2013 -
" I'll tell ya what, that Steve Sheinkin can flat out WRITE! I loved this book! A suspenseful story of how the atomic bomb was developed and used in warfare. Sounds dull but trust me, this one is an exciting page turner. "
— Leigh, 9/7/2013 -
" Great narrative non-fiction--a fascinating read! "
— Mari, 8/31/2013 -
" Wow! Crazy, interesting, and scary! "
— Mandy, 7/29/2013 -
" A gripping, page-turning informational book - kudos to Steve Sheinkin for your excellent writing. I wouldn't have picked this up just by the topic, but had to give it a look after it won so many awards. All deserved. Loved this. "
— Kris, 7/15/2013 -
" Incredibly thrilling and exciting account of the development of the first atomic bomb. "
— Anna, 6/8/2013 -
" Anyone with an interest in history should love this book. It is written for young adults, but facts are facts and to receive the details laid out before you in their basic form is the best way to gain knowledge you didn't have. "
— Colleen, 3/26/2013 -
" Really interesting and full of things I didn't know. Also scary to think about. "
— Cristen, 3/18/2013 -
" For someone generally has a hard time getting into nonfiction, I had a hard time even putting this book down. The organization is extremely well-thought out and written in a captivating narrative that ties years of complicated maneuvers and research into a cohesive story. "
— Brian, 1/26/2013 -
" Awesome book. Exciting and fast paced. What a great nonfiction book! "
— Krystal, 1/8/2013
About Steve Sheinkin
Steve Sheinkin is the award-winning author of fast-paced, cinematic histories for young readers. His The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights was longlisted for the National Book Award. Bomb: The Race to Build-and Steal-the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon was a Newbery Honor Book, a National Book Award finalist, and winner of the Sibert Award and YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults.
About Roy Samuelson
Roy Samuelson has more than twenty years of experience as a voice actor. His national voice-over television ad campaigns include Intel, Jeep, Disney, Twix, Dodge, and Nestlé Wonka. He lives in Hollywood.