American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

BIRD, Kai and Martin J. Sherwin.

Item Number: 142138

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.

First edition, early printing of this Pulitzer Prize-winning work. Octavo, original boards, illustrated. Presentation copy, inscribed by Martin Sherwin on the half-title page, “To Bob Schulzinger Great historian! Hero of the Divine Order of Shafir! With sincere admiration and friendship Marty Aspen July 14, 2005.” Additionally signed in full on the title page, “Martin J. Sherwin.” Fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Jacket design by Stephanie Kloss.

American Prometheus is the first full-scale biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, “father of the atomic bomb,” the brilliant, charismatic physicist who led the effort to capture the awesome fire of the sun for his country in time of war. Immediately after Hiroshima, he became the most famous scientist of his generation–one of the iconic figures of the twentieth century, the embodiment of modern man confronting the consequences of scientific progress.