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The Basis of Everything: Before Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project there was the Cavendish Laboratory - the remarkable story of the scientific friendships that changed the world forever
Before the Manhattan Project, before nuclear warfare and the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there was the twentieth century's great scientific quest to fathom the secrets of the atom. The unlikely story of an Antipodean friendship that changed the world forever.
Centered on the inter-war years - within the ivy clad walls of Cambridge University's famed Cavendish Laboratory, amid the windswept valleys of north Wales, and in the industrial heartland of Birmingham - The Basis of Everything is the story of the coming of the atomic bomb, and how the unlikely union of two scientists - Ernest Rutherford, the son of a New Zealand farmer, and Mark Oliphant, a peace-loving vegetarian from a tiny Australian hills village - would change the world. The story that bonds Ernest Rutherford and Mark Oliphant is as extraordinary as it is unlikely. They were kindred souls, schooled and steeped in the furthest frontiers of Britain's empire, whose restless intellect and tireless conviction fused in the crucible of discovery at Cambridge University's celebrated Cavendish Laboratory, at a time when nature's deepest secrets were being revealed. Their brilliance illuminated the sub-atomic recesses of the natural world and, as a direct result, set loose the power of nuclear fusion. It was a heartfelt, enduring partnership, born at the University of Adelaide's modest physics department and then flourishing further in the confines of the Cavendish before ultimately driving the famed Manhattan Project, which produced the world's first nuclear weapons, unleashed to such devastating effect on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Rutherford and Oliphant were men with a shared devotion to pure science, who, through circumstance and necessity, found themselves betrayed as instruments of wars they detested but were duty-bound to prosecute. Consequently, their influence was pivotal in the last great global conflict the world witnessed and in engendering the thermonuclear threat that has held the planet hostage ever since. Yet their pioneering work also lives on in a vast array of innovations seeded by nuclear physics, from radiocarbon dating and TV screens to life-saving diagnostic-imaging devices. PRAISE FOR THE BASIS OF EVERYTHING " In The Basis of Everything , journalist Andrew Ramsey has succeeded in telling a story so detailed and compelling that even knowing where it leads does not distract from the journey." The Sydney Morning Herald
Centered on the inter-war years - within the ivy clad walls of Cambridge University's famed Cavendish Laboratory, amid the windswept valleys of north Wales, and in the industrial heartland of Birmingham - The Basis of Everything is the story of the coming of the atomic bomb, and how the unlikely union of two scientists - Ernest Rutherford, the son of a New Zealand farmer, and Mark Oliphant, a peace-loving vegetarian from a tiny Australian hills village - would change the world. The story that bonds Ernest Rutherford and Mark Oliphant is as extraordinary as it is unlikely. They were kindred souls, schooled and steeped in the furthest frontiers of Britain's empire, whose restless intellect and tireless conviction fused in the crucible of discovery at Cambridge University's celebrated Cavendish Laboratory, at a time when nature's deepest secrets were being revealed. Their brilliance illuminated the sub-atomic recesses of the natural world and, as a direct result, set loose the power of nuclear fusion. It was a heartfelt, enduring partnership, born at the University of Adelaide's modest physics department and then flourishing further in the confines of the Cavendish before ultimately driving the famed Manhattan Project, which produced the world's first nuclear weapons, unleashed to such devastating effect on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Rutherford and Oliphant were men with a shared devotion to pure science, who, through circumstance and necessity, found themselves betrayed as instruments of wars they detested but were duty-bound to prosecute. Consequently, their influence was pivotal in the last great global conflict the world witnessed and in engendering the thermonuclear threat that has held the planet hostage ever since. Yet their pioneering work also lives on in a vast array of innovations seeded by nuclear physics, from radiocarbon dating and TV screens to life-saving diagnostic-imaging devices. PRAISE FOR THE BASIS OF EVERYTHING " In The Basis of Everything , journalist Andrew Ramsey has succeeded in telling a story so detailed and compelling that even knowing where it leads does not distract from the journey." The Sydney Morning Herald
384 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 30, 2023
My dad lent me this book a couple of years ago and I thought it sounded vaguely interesting so held onto it but was never interested enough to actually get around to reading it. But thanks to COVID this week I ran out of books and couldn't get to the library so finally picked this one up. It was much better than I expected. The writer has an engaging style that got me through the science, although it got a bit science-heavy towards the middle and I skimmed a couple of pages. Probably a 3.5 but have marked it up because it exceeded my expectations.
September 9, 2019
This has made it to be included in the list of the top most interesting books I have read. It tells the story of two giants of physics - Ernest Rutherfiord and Mark Oliphant, a Kiwi and an Aussie who made their names in the hallowed laboratories of Cambridge. Their discoveries in physics pioneered the development of nuclear energy and the bomb and Oliphant's conflict with the military and the pollies is fascinating reading, as also is his horror at the tearing up of the nuclear exchange agreement by Truman and Churchill's lying placid acceptance. That the author cleverly and skilfully intertwines the stories of both Rutherford and Oliphant while maintaining continuity and interest is no mean feat. I could tell of many other highlights, but I won't except to advise you to read it for yourself.
March 1, 2026
The childhood, early and late career of New Zealand born Rutherford and Australian born Oliphant are described. Similarities form the basis of a close friendship. Rutherford is a brilliant, decorated physicist and chemist and Oliphant a gifted technician.
Rutherford brings the world into the nuclear age wih now classic experiments which are breathtaking in their genius. He holds his own with other brilliant scientists and meets many of them including Curie and Einstein. It's an extraordinary career of a nice, affable, down to earth man.
Rutherford notices that Curie's hands are deformed and her grip shaking and Ramsey outlines the casual way in which people working with isotopes could be electrocuted or poisoned. The lack of any concern about safety or security seems wilfully ignorant but is not commented on further.
Rutherford dies an early preventable death and Oliphant, now leading his own lab, is captured by the WWII effort. As his love for Germany flips to hatred and a surety that Hitler is developing an atomic bomb, Oliphant heads to the United States to expound his fears and a possible nuclear bomb solution. He apparently believes that such a weapon will be used by the military as a deterrent. Lawrence, a close collaborator and friend, champions his case and the Manhatten project is born. Oliphant works on the project but not with Oppenheimer, who is glancingly mentioned.
Ramsey is a wonderful writer, creating pace, drama, a realistic sense of place and relationships. He places focus on turning points such as Oliphant's friendships with Rutherford and Lawrence (about whom little is said), Rutherford's reluctance to "go big" and the timing of USA's commitment to a bomb.
Sometimes these foci don't seem justified. Much is made, for example, of the timing of the USA's bomb commitment, but as Germany surrendered before its use, the bomb did not win the War. Ramsey makes a case that if Pearl Harbour had happened earlier, no commitment to make a bomb would have been made. This makes the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki seem like an afterthought.
Oliphant rejects his role in the splitting of the atom, placing it firmly in Rutherford's hands. Guilt is the inferred motivation. Strangely Oppenheimer is not mentioned. Nor is there any definition of splitting an atom. Rutherford certainly chipped bits of the nucleus but Oppenheimer cleaved it in two (although this is not mentioned). It is inferred that Rutherford knew fission was possible but would not go down that research path. This part of the book is confused and needed to be untangled more.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and sometimes it is overused to maintain intrigue or suspense or a sense of destiny. Apart from that, the book's clear focus on two men critical to the new field of nuclear research is a very good, well written human story.
Rutherford brings the world into the nuclear age wih now classic experiments which are breathtaking in their genius. He holds his own with other brilliant scientists and meets many of them including Curie and Einstein. It's an extraordinary career of a nice, affable, down to earth man.
Rutherford notices that Curie's hands are deformed and her grip shaking and Ramsey outlines the casual way in which people working with isotopes could be electrocuted or poisoned. The lack of any concern about safety or security seems wilfully ignorant but is not commented on further.
Rutherford dies an early preventable death and Oliphant, now leading his own lab, is captured by the WWII effort. As his love for Germany flips to hatred and a surety that Hitler is developing an atomic bomb, Oliphant heads to the United States to expound his fears and a possible nuclear bomb solution. He apparently believes that such a weapon will be used by the military as a deterrent. Lawrence, a close collaborator and friend, champions his case and the Manhatten project is born. Oliphant works on the project but not with Oppenheimer, who is glancingly mentioned.
Ramsey is a wonderful writer, creating pace, drama, a realistic sense of place and relationships. He places focus on turning points such as Oliphant's friendships with Rutherford and Lawrence (about whom little is said), Rutherford's reluctance to "go big" and the timing of USA's commitment to a bomb.
Sometimes these foci don't seem justified. Much is made, for example, of the timing of the USA's bomb commitment, but as Germany surrendered before its use, the bomb did not win the War. Ramsey makes a case that if Pearl Harbour had happened earlier, no commitment to make a bomb would have been made. This makes the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki seem like an afterthought.
Oliphant rejects his role in the splitting of the atom, placing it firmly in Rutherford's hands. Guilt is the inferred motivation. Strangely Oppenheimer is not mentioned. Nor is there any definition of splitting an atom. Rutherford certainly chipped bits of the nucleus but Oppenheimer cleaved it in two (although this is not mentioned). It is inferred that Rutherford knew fission was possible but would not go down that research path. This part of the book is confused and needed to be untangled more.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing and sometimes it is overused to maintain intrigue or suspense or a sense of destiny. Apart from that, the book's clear focus on two men critical to the new field of nuclear research is a very good, well written human story.
February 14, 2020
A remarkable and impeccable read. Ramsey eloquently weaves together the lives and Earth-shattering science perused by two humble men. Beautiful prose and loping storytelling on every page.
August 28, 2024
Starts slowly but turns into really riveting narrative scientific history, especially in its treatment of radar and the Manhattan Project.
March 22, 2025
Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
January 4, 2026
The world was forever changed by the partnership of these 2 men. Ramsey gives an interesting account of the lives of these two men through a time of great change. Thoroughly recommend.
August 14, 2019
Having no knowledge of physics beyond rudimentary basics I was interested to read The Basis of Everything, and find that I could vaguely follow the explanations for how Rutherford split the atom. I had this mental vision of him cutting it under a microscope, with a scalpel. Spoiler alert! One needs unstable elements like uranium, electricity and magnets.
The book introduces us to an Australian colleague of Rutherford, Mark Oliphant, who joined the New Zealander to study under him at Cambridge University. Theirs is a physics bromance, with long nights at the laboratory and a fellow love of minute matter.
Ernie, as his wife and friends called him, was heralded as the Greatest scientist of his age. We New Zealanders don't appreciate how much his curiosity and intellect did in terms of heralding the Nuclear age. Albert Einstein the great theorist has a reputation that exceeds our Lord Rutherford of Nelson, but Rutherford was a man of the ages and Andrew Ramsay's book affirms this.
It's a pleasant and rewarding read, and a book I would recommend. Rutherford was famous for his thrift, but I'd advocate buying yourself a copy.
The book introduces us to an Australian colleague of Rutherford, Mark Oliphant, who joined the New Zealander to study under him at Cambridge University. Theirs is a physics bromance, with long nights at the laboratory and a fellow love of minute matter.
Ernie, as his wife and friends called him, was heralded as the Greatest scientist of his age. We New Zealanders don't appreciate how much his curiosity and intellect did in terms of heralding the Nuclear age. Albert Einstein the great theorist has a reputation that exceeds our Lord Rutherford of Nelson, but Rutherford was a man of the ages and Andrew Ramsay's book affirms this.
It's a pleasant and rewarding read, and a book I would recommend. Rutherford was famous for his thrift, but I'd advocate buying yourself a copy.
September 8, 2019
The Geological Society (UK) chose 2019 as their Year of Carbon. Why not celebrate it by reading this splendid collection of carbon (the main constituent of a paperback)?
Esteemed scientist, author, and classical musician Robert M. Hazen sees carbon as the symphony that weaves together the themes of the many other chemical elements, giving them the chance to become beautiful forms. Symphony in C explores these forms through its sections on earth, air, fire, and water; all ‘movements’ being crucial to life and ubiquitous. The narrative of the book ranges widely: from the ancient origins to the latest in complex polymers, from the building blocks of our bodies to our biggest environmental threat. Our challenging times have emphasised how little we know about carbon, and how we had better get on with the job of finding out more.
This fascinating book is timely, jargon-free, and very readable. Tipped by many to be the science book of the year, it is a great read for Father’s Day too, full of fun facts and anecdotes.
Esteemed scientist, author, and classical musician Robert M. Hazen sees carbon as the symphony that weaves together the themes of the many other chemical elements, giving them the chance to become beautiful forms. Symphony in C explores these forms through its sections on earth, air, fire, and water; all ‘movements’ being crucial to life and ubiquitous. The narrative of the book ranges widely: from the ancient origins to the latest in complex polymers, from the building blocks of our bodies to our biggest environmental threat. Our challenging times have emphasised how little we know about carbon, and how we had better get on with the job of finding out more.
This fascinating book is timely, jargon-free, and very readable. Tipped by many to be the science book of the year, it is a great read for Father’s Day too, full of fun facts and anecdotes.
October 31, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. It presents a fascinating perspective on the relationship of two scientific giants during the formative years of atomic discovery. I learned so much about a subject which I previously had little knowledge (or interest) in but this has inspired me to dive deeper into understanding physics.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews