Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb by Jonathan Fetter-Vorm

Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb
by Jonathan Fetter-Vorm [YA Fetter-Vorm]

Well written, well-illustrated historical and scientific graphic novel of the Manhattan Project and its impact on history. Compared to other books I’ve read on the project this one takes a more scientific standpoint, in that it goes out of its way when needed, at various points in telling the story, to explain just what nuclear fission is, what an isotope is, why uranium was needed and not another element, what a super-critical reaction is, and how radiation poisoning causes damage to humans that can initially go unnoticed. The story is told rather linearly, with the science explanations interspersed, starting before the project began with the scientific breakthroughs that occurred that lead to the possibility of an atomic bomb, and finishing with the beginning of the Cold War. Within its 150 pages, I feel it did a really good job of providing an understanding of the how, when, where, and why of the project from a historical and scientific point of view. The domino effect was used at first to help visually explain nuclear fission reactions, but it also applies to what happened to history as a result of the project. I’d recommend this to both graphic novel readers and those who don’t usually read graphic novels, and those with in interest in history and science.

[If you would like another historical graphic novel I suggest you check out Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi (741.5 Sat) and if you would like more on the Manhattan Project check out 109 East Palace, by Jennet Conant (623.451 Con) and/or Picturing the Bomb, by Rachel Fermi (355.825 Fer).]

 

[ official Trinity web page on the official Jonathan Fetter-Vorm web site ]

Recommended by Kristen A.
Gere Branch Library

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