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Citation: Fallout: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and the political science of the atomic bomb by Jim Ottaviani, Janine Johnston, Steve Lieber, Vince Locke, Bernie Mireault, and Jeff Parker. Ann Arbor, MI: G.T. Labs, 2001.
ISBN: 978-0-96601-063-3
Annotation: The story of two prominent scientists, Oppenheimer and Szilard, and the intersection of their lives with the creation of the world's most fearsome weapon, the atomic bomb.
Age range: 9-12 grades
Media used by illustrator: black and white comic book style
Personal Rating: 5Q/3P
Curricular connections: highly recommended for a high school history class focusing on WWII.
ateater/07-10-2009
Ottaviani, J. (2001) Fallout. Anna Arbor: MI: G.T.Labs, 2001. ISBN: 0966010639
A retelling of the creation of the nuclear bomb, Fallout is a narrative of the science and politics that lead to the destruction of thousands of lives.
Rating: 3Q/3P
Submitted by Amanda Melilli 4/18/08
Ottaviani, J. (2001). Fallout: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and the political science of the atomic bomb. Anne Arbor, MI: G.T. Labs.
ISBN: 0966010639
Illustrator: Various
Media: Pen and Ink
3Q/1P
Curriculum Connection: Grades 10-12; History, Political Science
Annotation: One author and several artists detail the conception and creation of the atomic bomb and the psychic and political effects this undertaking had on the scientists involved.
5.18.08 cjm
Format: Graphic Novel
Curriculum Connection: U.S. History, Science Grades 11-12
Sophisticated Language: Fallout is a very dense read. The majority of the story telling is done through conversations between different people, and these conversations tend to be full of scientific jargon and complex formal language; there is very little chit chatting or casual conversations. For example, when Dr. Szilard takes his leave of Sir Beveridge, his speech is full of social formalities: “I know I can count on your support, Sir William, and will leave the matter in your hands. Now I am afraid I must take my leave – I visit Lord Rutherford in Cambridge tomorrow and have to meet a colleague this evening before I go” (page 25).
Fallout is also full of lengthy quotes. Chapter one opens with the first page of book that Dr.Szilard is reading with the following quote: “From the outset of his terrestrial career we find him supplementing the natural strength and bodily weapons of a beast by the heat of burning and the rough implement of stone. So he passed beyond the ape. From that he expands” (page 17). These scattered quotes add to the story, but must be analyzed and dissected in and of themselves before their meaning can be applied to characters and their situations. This is definitely not a book for reluctant readers, and it may be a slow read for even the most accomplished readers
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