German National Socialism and the Quest for Nuclear Power, 1939}}}49 [Paperback]

A fascinating account of how the Germans tried to develop nuclear fission before and during World War II.According to this analysis, Germany's decision not to pursue nuclear weaponry during the Second World War came about as a result of economic and political developments, not scientific or moral considerations, and was at the time--a perfectly reasonable policy.According to this analysis, Germany's decision not to pursue nuclear weaponry during the Second World War came about as a result of economic and political developments, not scientific or moral considerations, and was at the time--a perfectly reasonable policy.This a paperback edition of Professor Walker's full-scale examination of the German efforts to harness the economic, military and political power of nuclear fission between 1939 and 1949. The book explains clearly, in terms that the non-specialist can understand, what was involved in the Germans' quest, and in what ways the German scientists succeeded or failed in the development of 'the bomb'.Introduction; Part I. Lightning War: Nuclear fission; The German nuclear power project; Moderators, isotope separation, and uranium machines; Nuclear power and lightning war; Part II. The War Slows Down: The end of the lightning war; Nuclear power conferences; National Socialism and German physics; Progress and infighting; Part III. The War Comes Home: Wonder weapons; Uranium machines in Berlin-gottow; Greater Germany and cultural imperialism; Death from above and betrayal from within; Part IV. The War is Lost: Evacuation and self-preservation; The heavy water dries up; Harteck's circle, centrifuges, and special experiments; Uranium machines and rock cellars; Part V. The German Achievement in the American Shadow: The Alsos MIssion; Farm Hall; The Smyth Report; Part VI. The Legacy of German National Socialism: The occupation of Germany; Nazification and denazification; The Goudsmit/Heisenberg controversy; Part VII. The Myth of the German Atomic Bomb: Conclusion; Nol9