Heavy Water and the Wartime Race for Nuclear Energy 1st Edition

"With his newest work of science history, ... Dahl pulls of the remarkable feat of delivering both a scholarly work and a nail-bitng thriller. ... Per Dahl recounts all these events and many more. There is wisdom in his judicious treatment of persistent historical debates, including the rancorous argument that still rages about the motivations of Hahn, Werner Heisenberg, and the other members of the German "Uranium Club." His style is lively, his research thorough, his organization superb. Fortunately [the publisher] has matched Dahl's efforts by giving Heavy Water and the Wartime Race for Nuclear Energy the scholarly appratus and handsome production it deserves."^KPaul Preuss, Current "Dahl manages to combine scientific accuracy with a compelling storyline that keeps the pages turning. Like his cathode-ray book, the volume is meticiculously researched. It is a remarkable read." Gordon Fraser, CERN Courier "The story of heavy water during World War II may be a familiar one, if only from the 1962 movie 'The Heroes of Telemark'. But Dahl's book fills many of the gaps left in previous accounts by concentrating on the underlying technology and scientific arguments. The military adventure is cleverly interwoven with the scientific. The accounts of the commando raid on the Norsk Hydro plant and the bombing of the ferry are particularly gripping. Dahl also has a talent for sketching characters, and portrays a much more interesting and diverse cast than the 1962 movie's composite presentation of Kirk Douglas a the 'playboy scientist' and Richard Harris as the hotheaded Norwegian partisan." Chemistry and Industry "This is a superbly researched book ... and an excellent read. Even someone withlittle knowledge of those turbulent times will enjoy it. ...The story of D2O is very much alive, and this book tells vividly its distinguished pedigree." Neutron News .." a well-informed and up-to-date account of the history of nuclear physics up to 1945" Centaurus .." Per Dahl has produced a tour de force, leading the reader from the dawn of the nuclear era through the sabotage of the heavy water plants, and integrating those events with activities of British and American nuclear physicists." American Journal of Physics "Per Dahl's unique qualifications make Heavy Water a success. . . Dahl and his publishers also deserve praise for providing a good choice of unusual photographs, a 'Chronology of Heavy Water', and superb notes, bibliography and indices" Intelligence and National Security, vol. 16 is newest work of science history, ... Dahl pulls of the remarkable feat of delivering both a scholarly work and a nail-bitng thriller. ... Per Dahl recounts all these events and many more. There is wisdom in his judicious treatment of persistent historical debates, including the rancorous argument that still rages about the motivations of Hahn, Werner Heisenberg, and the other members of the German "Uranium Club." His style is lively, his research thorough, his organization superb. Fortunately [the publisher] has matched Dahl's efforts by giving Heavy Water and the Wartime Race for Nuclear Energy the scholarly appratus and handsome production it deserves."^KPaul Preuss, Current "Dahl manages to combine scientific accuracy with a compelling storyline that keeps the pages turning. Like his cathode-ray book, the volume is meticiculously researched. It is a remarkable read." Gordon Fraser, CERNCourier "The story of heavy water during World War II may be a familiar one, if only from the 1962 movie 'The Heroes of Telemark'. But Dahl's book fills many of the gaps left in previous accounts by concentrating on the underlying technology and scientific arguments. The military adventure is cleverly interwoven with the scientific. The accounts of the commando raid on the Norsk Hydro plant and the bombing of the ferry are particularly gripping. Dahl also has a talent for sketching characters, and portrays a much more interesting and diverse cast than the 1962 movie's composite presentation of Kirk Douglas a the 'playboy scientist' and Richard Harris as the hotheaded Norwegian partisan." Chemistry and Industry "This is a superbly researched book ... and an excellent read. Even someone with little knowledge of those turbulent times will enjoy it. ...The story of D2O is very much alive, and this book tells vividly its distinguished pedigree." Neutron News .." a well-informed and up-to-date account of the history of nuclear physics up to 1945" Centaurus .." Per Dahl has produced a tour de force, leading the reader from the dawn of the nuclear era through the sabotage of the heavy water plants, and integrating those events with activities of British and American nuclear physicists." American Journal of Physics "Per Dahl's unique qualifications make Heavy Water a success. . . Dahl and his publishers also deserve praise for providing a good choice of unusual photographs, a 'Chronology of Heavy Water', and superb notes, bibliography and indices" Intelligence and National Security, vol. 16

Per F. Dahl is a retired Staff Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He has made important contributions to the design and development of superconducting magnets and to the history of superconductivity and other areas of physics, for which he was made a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He has written three other books on the history of physics, including Flash of the Cathode Rays, a 1997 Choice Outstanding Academic title.