This is the gripping, untold story of the doomsday bomb—the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. In 1950, Hungarian-born scientist Leo Sz... read full description
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Jul 25, 2009
Nick
rated it: 
Poor Peter D. Smith set out to write a great book, but for want of an editor the kingdom was lost. He's absolutely authoritative and definitive regarding the Weltuntergangsromane and Zukunftsromane (two just outstanding Gastwörter, for which I have Mssr. Smith to thank) of 1880-1965, both in English and German (the French are presumed to have been engaged in existential omphalos-gazing, and the Russians busy creating epic steel structures and новый советский человек (though a passing nod is give
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Feb 15, 2008
Tripp
rated it:
PD Smith's Doomsday Men is a mix of science fiction analysis and all too real history. The book covers the fixation on the dream of the ultimate weapon, which evolves from chemical weapons to a true doomsday system put in place by the Soviets. On both the side of scientists and writers there is the great fear of what these more powerful weapons might mean for political power and for society. What drives them is the dream of what they might do. From Nobel with his dynamite on, the dream has been
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Mar 21, 2010
Mike
rated it: 
This book provides an in-depth look at the atomic era in American culture. It examines scientific and public perception over the years by referencing literature and film. Although it is not always the most engaging read (sci-fi readers will love it's coverage of sci-fi history), it provides a historical viewpoint not covered in Richard Rhodes' works on this subject. Of special enjoyment is the background and analysis of Stanley Kubrick's hit "Dr. Strangelove: Or How I Stopped Worrying a
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Feb 09, 2008
Paul
rated it: 
In Doomsday Men: The Real Dr. Strangelove and the Dream of the Superweapon, British historian of science P.D. Smith masterfully chronicles the literary antecedents and cultural repercussions of the development of nuclear armaments. It offers a marvelous resource for understanding the issues and personalities underlying Kubrick’s masterpiece and other creative interpretations of the Cold War. From pulp science fiction stories to Godzilla’s theatrical invasions, it is a veritable lexicon of at
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Feb 09, 2008
Paul
rated it:
In Doomsday Men: The Real Dr. Strangelove and the Dream of the Superweapon, British historian of science P.D. Smith masterfully chronicles the literary antecedents and cultural repercussions of the development of nuclear armaments. It offers a marvelous resource for understanding the issues and personalities underlying Kubrick’s masterpiece and other creative interpretations of the Cold War. From pulp science fiction stories to Godzilla’s theatrical invasions, it is a veritable lexicon of at
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Aug 02, 2011
Ben
rated it:
Interesting juxtaposition of historical science against the backdrop of science fiction and movies of the same time periods. Author makes some interesting observations where science fiction writers often preceded actual scientific discoveries or inventions. Gave me a several books to add to my reading list.
Jan 13, 2011
recently got into a conversation with Matt about Doomsday -- stemming from Oppenheimer's "Now I am become death" quote -- and we agreed it was rather lame (my word not his) how little i knew about the atomic bomb, considering my bachelor's was Russian Studies. he recommended this tome to mend my ways.
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