Bomb: Prologue–Part One

by Steve Sheinkin
In this engaging blend of science and history, Steve Sheinkin traces the development of the atomic bomb.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Prologue–Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four–Epilogue
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. incriminating
    charging or suggestive of guilt or blame
    Everywhere he looked were incriminating papers—a plane ticket stub, a secret report, a letter from a fellow spy.
  2. torrent
    an overwhelming number or amount
    “A torrent of thoughts poured through my mind,” Gold later said of this moment.
  3. caustic
    harsh or corrosive in tone
    “He generally would answer patiently,” another student agreed, “unless the question was manifestly stupid, in which event his response was likely to be quite caustic.”
  4. territorial
    of or relating to a geographical area
    “This is my last territorial demand in Europe,” Hitler promised.
  5. smoldering
    showing scarcely suppressed anger
    Oppenheimer followed these terrifying events from his home in California, burning with what he described as “a continuing, smoldering fury” toward Adolf Hitler.
  6. execrable
    of very poor quality or condition
    “Within perhaps a week,” recalled a student, “there was on the blackboard in Robert Oppenheimer’s office a drawing—a very bad, an execrable drawing—of a bomb.”
  7. calamity
    an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
    “It must be our contribution to the prevention of a terrible calamity.”
  8. blitzkrieg
    a military offensive with intensive aerial bombardment
    Using a new style of attack known as blitzkrieg, German for “lightning war,” Hitler’s planes, tanks, and soldiers slashed deep into Polish territory.
  9. rendezvous
    a meeting planned at a certain time and place
    “It was a good test to enter a bar or a store,” explained Feklisov, “because one of the agents had to run inside to make sure no rendezvous was in progress.”
  10. preliminary
    preceding or in preparation for something more important
    “I spent some time in preliminary calculations about the construction and performance of atomic bombs,” he said, “and became increasingly excited about the prospects.”
  11. premeditated
    characterized by deliberate purpose and a degree of planning
    “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion,” Roosevelt declared, “the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”
  12. neutron
    a subatomic particle with zero charge
    He told Serber he was about to be placed in charge of “fast-neutron research”—the study of speeding neutrons and fission.
  13. ominous
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    His ominous official title would be “Coordinator of Rapid Rupture.”
  14. sympathizer
    someone who shares your feelings or opinions
    Standing on deck, leaning casually on the rail, was a Norwegian man in a Nazi uniform—some Norwegians were Nazi sympathizers who aided the invading army.
  15. concoct
    devise or invent
    “We had many wild plans in those days,” Haukelid remembered. Hoping to deal the Nazis a more direct blow, he and his friends concocted a plot to kidnap Vidkun Quisling, leader of the Norwegian Nazis.
Created on Mon Dec 21 19:15:10 EST 2015 (updated Mon Aug 04 09:55:05 EDT 2025)

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