The Oppenheimer Alternative

By: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrated by: Josh Bloomberg

Writing with “a sense of wonder that hasn’t prevailed since the days of Heinlein” (Books in Canada), best novel Hugo and Nebula Award winner Robert J. Sawyer brings you “a truly science-fictional work of alternate history” (S.M. Stirling).

While J. Robert Oppenheimer and his Manhattan Project team struggle to develop the A-bomb, Edward Teller wants something even more devastating: a weapon based on nuclear fusion - the mechanism that powers the sun. But Teller’s research leads to a terrifying discovery: by the year 2030, the sun will eject its outermost layer, destroying the entire inner solar system - including Earth.

After the war ends, Oppenheimer’s physicists combine forces with Albert Einstein, computing pioneer John von Neumann, and rocket designer Wernher von Braun - the greatest scientific geniuses from the last century racing against time to save our future.

Meticulously researched and replete with real-life characters and events, The Oppenheimer Alternative is a breathtaking adventure through both real and alternate history.

©2020 Robert J. Sawyer (P)2020 Recorded Books

Awesome!

I highly recommend this book for anyone one enjoys the history of science. Great story! Great narration!

Wow

Very creative thought out story thoroughly enjoyed the book and the historical similarities. Great read

Reads like classic sci-fi

This novel was published in 2020 but reads like Classic sci-fi from the 50s. Perhaps it's because the story begins in 1936 and ends in 1967. Told completely chronologically, the first 4 hours of the tale takes us from Robert Oppenheimer's life as a college professor, through his involvement with the Manhattan Project, Hitler's death in 1945, and the dropping of The Bomb on Japan. It reads like a well-written biography of all the key players in the race for the A-bomb.

Then it takes a turn into alternative history. Edward Teller wants something more devastating: a weapon based on nuclear fusion - the mechanism that powers the sun. But Teller's research leads to a terrifying discovery: by 2030, the sun will eject its outermost layer, destroying the entire inner solar system, including Earth.

Interesting concept for a new book, and I enjoyed it, but not as much as previous Sawyer novels - I think because of the older time period. But if you love classic sci-fi, this is a modern "classic" you shouldn't miss.

I met Rob at a SF writer's conference in LA some years back and he's a great guy. I've enjoyed all of his novels, but my favorite - still - is Calculating God. Look it up, it's a 5-star read!

History with a twist!

The Oppenheimer Alternative by Robert J. Sawyer is an alternate history novel that follows the group of the world's greatest physicists that developed the nuclear fission bomb during WWII. But in this timeline, this group of intellectuals discover an impending doom for mankind even greater than the Axis powers, and after their creation ends WWII with nuclear fire in Japan, they set about trying to solve this new problem for humanity's sake.

All the characters in this novel are real historical individuals, and their separate personalities, personal drives, and clashing egos make an excellent back drop for a great scifi story. This novel surprised me with its ending, but it did end the best way possible after a bit of reflection. A solid novel, and historically accurate depictions and descriptions of people and history until the story takes its turn make for both a history lesson and a great alternative history scifi read. A solid 3 1/2 to 4 star read from Robert J Sawyer, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Brilliant

Extremely insightful. I remain impressed by the depth of this approach and its' believability factor.

a glimpse into a history and a alternate future

from the moment I picked up my first Sawyer book, I have loved this author and this one was just as awesome as the rest. I was seriously impressed with the accuracy of historical fact and scientific information. and even tying it into theories about Crystal sun explosions due to micronova, . there is, a whole catastrophism theory about what caused the end of the ice age, in the younger dryas. and why there is a nano diamond, black mat of crystalline structures both, pretty much everywhere on this Earth and also on samples found on the moon. this sun, explosion theory, is an actual thing haha that I have studied for the last several years. when I saw what this book was about I said I had to read it. I follow on YT suspicious observers, space weather, and he has a whole series on catastrophism and micronova sun cycles, and sun cycles in general. if you're interested in this topic after you read this book I would check him out. the book actually left me wanting a second in the series and continuation, of the story. maybe we'll get lucky and Sawyer, will write one. excellent book if you're into science, history, The History of science, world war II history, deep state and pentagon projects, etc with a little twist this one is for you. the characters are all personalable believable, and interesting but all well known names in the history of the atomic age. very much enjoyed it I hope you do too.

ps, the narrator, is also great and does recognizable voices for all of the main characters. well done excellent listen

History Up Close and Personal--with a Twist

Robert J. Sawyer has delivered again with The Oppenheimer Alternative. The first section of the novel is a closeup view of the development of the atomic bomb, including the marvelous idiosyncrasies of famous scientists such as Fermi, Szilard, Teller, Feinman, Einstein, and more--plus key non-scientists like General Groves.

The second part of the book explores what might have happened after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where a mystery drives Oppenheimer and his colleagues to SAVE the world, much as the Manhattan Project permanently CHANGED the world.

Highly recommended.

Disappointing 90% dry history

I really enjoyed several other books by this author, but the only part of the story that really caught my attention was the last 3-4 chapters.

The performance was good.

Optionheimer

There are other stories about Opie that may be better but I rather like the,” alternate history” of this one. It just drug on some and I don’t have interest in the not related film. Big fan of author but this one was ok.

Fascinating....

Sawyer does it again! A totally original journey through the history of the dawn of the nuclear age. Sawyer and Bloomberg bring the giants of the day ( Einstein, Grove, Teller, Oppie! ) to life in this sprawling, unique and fun listen.

Revisionist history, with a hard sci-fi bend to it. For some reason, this offering really resonated with me. Hearing Bloomberg give voice to long passed historical characters was grand fun, and educational as well.

Highly recommended for a variety of listeners, including history buffs. Spend the credit and enjoy it!