Emeritus Fellow Professor Frank Close publishes Destroyer of Worlds: The Deep History of the Nuclear Age: 1895-1965
Professor Frank Close FRS, Emeritus Fellow in Physics at Exeter College, will shortly unveil his latest work, Destroyer of Worlds: The Deep History of the Nuclear Age: 1895-1965. Set for publication by Allen Lane later this month, the compelling narrative is in effect a prequel and sequel to the movie Oppenheimer, spotlighting the pivotal figures and ground-breaking discoveries that unleashed the atomic age.
The journey begins with Henry Becquerel’s serendipitous discovery of radioactivity in 1896, an event that ignited a scientific quest for understanding the hidden forces of the atom. Professor Close meticulously chronicles how this early enthusiasm transformed into a race for nuclear dominance, particularly during the politically charged atmosphere of the 1930s and throughout the Second World War. The catastrophic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki serve as harrowing milestones that marked the transition from scientific curiosity to the potential for unparalleled destruction through thermonuclear weapons in under 70 years.
Professor Close’s narrative spans multiple continents and decades, featuring luminaries such as Ernest Rutherford, who first split the atom, and Enrico Fermi, whose work paved the way for nuclear reactors. He also highlights the contributions of extraordinary women in science, including Lise Meitner and Irene Curie, whose roles have often been overshadowed. The inclusion of Ettore Majorana, Fermi’s enigmatic assistant whose mysterious disappearance in 1938 has never been fully explained, adds further depth to this tale of ambition, collaboration, and, ultimately, moral reckoning.
Drawing on extensive research, Professor Close’s work is both accessible and insightful. As Robert Cahn, co-author of Grace in All Simplicity, notes, those who appreciated the movie Oppenheimer will find Destroyer of Worlds equally captivating. This book not only recounts the scientific advancements but also delves into the human relationships and ethical dilemmas that continue to resonate in today’s world.
