The Quantum Exodus
Jewish Fugitives, the Atomic Bomb, and the Holocaust
Published on 7. April 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
276 pages
978-0-19-876800-5 (ISBN)
Description
It was no accident that the Holocaust and the Atomic Bomb happened at the same time. When the Nazis came into power in 1933, their initial objective was not to get rid of Jews. Rather, their aim was to refine German culture: Jewish professors and teachers at fine universities were sacked. Atomic science had attracted a lot of Jewish talent, and as Albert Einstein and other quantum exiles scattered, they realized that they held the key to a weapon of unimaginable power. Convinced that their gentile counterparts in Germany had come to the same conclusion, and having witnessed what the Nazis were prepared to do, the exiles were afraid. They had to get to the Atomic Bomb first. The Nazis meanwhile had acquired a more pressing objective: their persecution of the Jews had evolved into extermination. Two dreadful projects - the Bomb and the Holocaust - became locked a grisly race.
Reviews / Votes
A stimulating read, bringing forward some developments of the physics of the last 100 years in their political, cultural and historical context. * Stefan L. Wolff, Physik Journal * Fraser is excellent in presenting a tapestry of personal fates, scientific contributions and the relevant political facts in the age of the Second World War. * Ulrich Charpa, Times Literary Supplement * Like me, older readers who have known many of the protagonists, will not avoid poignant emotions. For young readers, the book is recommended because they will learn many historical facts that should not be forgotten. * Herwig Schopper, CERN Courier * A provocative new book. * Nature Physics * ...fascinating... * Jeremy Bernstein, Wall Street Journal * This book tells one of the most important stories of the twentieth century with the panache and pacing of a beach thriller. Gorder Fraser shifts with ease from the innermost realms of nuclear physics to the migrations - and torments - of entire nations. Deep, difficult waters are explored without flinching. * Simon Hands, Swansea University, UK *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
376 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-876800-5 (9780198768005)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
02/2012
Oxford University Press
€70.57
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Gordon Fraser (the late) was for many years the in-house editor at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, in Geneva. His books on popular science and scientists include Cosmic Anger, a biography of Abdus Salam, the first Muslim Nobel scientist, and Antimatter: The Ultimate Mirror. He was also the editor of The New Physics for the 21st Century and The Particle Century. After undergraduate studies at Imperial College, London, he went on to a PhD in theoretical particle physics, and has worked as a research scientist as well as a journalist.
Content
1: Neutrons and Nazis
2: The Rise of German Science
3: Cultural Cleansing
4: Emblematic Emigrants
5: The Fall of German Science
6: Plagues
7: Abide With Me
8: Fission Mission
9: Gathering Nuclear Fuel
10: For in Much Wisdom is Much Grief
11: Science and Anxiety
12: Epilogue - Europe redux
Appendix, Bibliography and Acknowledgements
2: The Rise of German Science
3: Cultural Cleansing
4: Emblematic Emigrants
5: The Fall of German Science
6: Plagues
7: Abide With Me
8: Fission Mission
9: Gathering Nuclear Fuel
10: For in Much Wisdom is Much Grief
11: Science and Anxiety
12: Epilogue - Europe redux
Appendix, Bibliography and Acknowledgements