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

Scientists are brilliant. They are geniuses. The scientists who mess around with atoms and radioactive material are also risk takers. Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin is a thriller and based entirely on fact. It is the story of the atomic bomb.

Considering that the world still lives under the threat of an atomic bomb in the hands of terrorist nations, you'll find it amazing that it was in 1938 Germany, that scientists happened upon the discovery that a Uranium atom would split in two when placed near radioactive material. That brilliant German scientist knew his discovery had international implications - for good or evil.

The events unfold with all the intrigue of a James Bond, Agent 007, spy thriller as World War II was beginning. In the United States, a team of the best minds across multiple disciplines of science were assembled to secretly develop an atomic bomb. They gathered in a quickly assembled laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. They were acutely aware that the bomb they created could be used against our enemies. There were also keenly concerned that those same enemies could be developing a similar bomb.

The author, Sheinkin, does a masterful job writing this book so it is easily understood yet full of intrigue. It's worth noting that Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon has won him several awards including the coveted 2013 YALSA Award for Excellence in Non-fiction for Young Adults. Kudos to Steve Sheinkin!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm