The quantum exodus
Subtitle: Jewish fugitives, the atomic bomb, and the Holocaust
By: by Gordon Fraser
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Oxford; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 267
ISBN-13: 9780199592159
Subjects: Deportations from Germany; Jewish scientists; Influence; Design and construction; World War, 1939-1945; Atomic bomb; Political aspects; Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); History
Other titles: Jewish fugitives, the atomic bomb, and the Holocaust
Description: "It was no accident that the Holocaust and the Atomic Bomb happened at the same time. When the Nazis came into power in 1933, their initial objective was not to get rid of Jews. Rather, their aim was to refine German culture: Jewish professors and teachers at fine universities were sacked. Atomic science had attracted a lot of Jewish talent, and as Albert Einstein and other quantum exiles scattered, they realized that they held the key to a weapon of unimaginable power. Convincedthat their gentile counterparts in Germany had come to the same conclusion, and having witnessed what the Nazis were prepared to do, the exiles were afraid. They had to get to the Atomic Bomb first. The Nazis meanwhile had acquired a more pressing objective: their persecution of the Jews had evolved into extermination. Two dreadful projects - the Bomb and the Holocaust - became locked a grisly race."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [250]-253) and index.
Table of contents: title: Neutrons and Nazis; title: The rise of German science; title: Cultural cleansing; title: Emblematic emigrants; title: The fall of German science; title: Plagues; title: Abide with me; title: Fission mission; title: Gathering nuclear fuel; title: For in much wisdom is much grief; title: Science and anxiety; title: Epilogue : Europe redux; title: Appendix 1. A list of emigrant scientists; title: Appendix 2. Sources and bibliography.