23 episodes
The Bomb BBC World Service
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- History
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4.3 • 963 Ratings
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After Oppenheimer’s success at the Oscars, delve into the wider story of the atomic bomb. Told through the scientists and spies who changed history. Season 1 follows the scientist who discovers the destructive possibilities of harnessing nuclear power. It leads to the race to beat the Nazis to the first atomic bomb. Season 2 tells of a brilliant scientist who lives a double life, stealing atomic secrets for the Soviet Union. Season 3 is coming soon.
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Trailer: The Black 14
From Amazing Sport Stories, this is The Black 14.
In 1969 Wyoming, racism is rife and 14 young black American footballers decide to take a stand. But the repercussions will change their lives forever. BA Parker takes us back to America’s turbulent 1960s to explore the injustice suffered by the “Black 14”.
For the full four-part series, and other incredible tales, search for Amazing Sport Stories wherever you get your BBC podcasts. -
Introducing: Love, Janessa
All episodes of our catfishing podcast are now available. You meet someone online. It turns out many others think they have fallen for the same person. It’s the story of the scammers and the unwitting face of a digital con. With host, Hannah Ajala.
Search for Love, Janessa wherever you get your podcasts. -
S2.10 Fallout
Jail awaits - Klaus Fuchs is going down. But will he take Ursula with him? British intelligence wants names. As Fuchs is forced to face his past, Ursula tries to run from hers. Presenter Rosa Ellis questions how their actions have shaped today's nuclear tensions. #thebomb
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S2.9 Dead cat, live cat
A double life implodes. Fuchs faces judge and jury, but will he confess? A future as an eminent physicist is slipping away. And the friends who took him in as a young scientist are blindsided - they want answers. But first he must face the court. #thebomb
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S2.8 The uncertainty principle
The spy catchers close in. Klaus Fuchs is caught in the crosshairs. Spymaster Ursula has outwitted the interrogators - but can he? As he settles down in England, British intelligence services are following him at every turn. He is caught in a web of surveillance - and his faith in the Soviets is faltering. How long can he run for? #thebomb
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S2.7 Critical mass
The interrogation of a spymaster. Ursula is questioned as Klaus Fuchs returns to England. Secrets threaten to be spilled and loyalties are tested. The war has ended, and the physicist could have a promising future. But will his past catch up with him? Could British intelligence services be on to him? #thebomb
Customer Reviews
Eh….one problem.
It’s a somewhat artistic approach to telling the story. It comes off as more boring than it needs to be. Although, if you enjoy listening to audio while you go to sleep, this is perfect.
Drama queen -
For the parts that focused on the history, it was fine. However, the podcaster tries to make this dramatically personal because her grandfather worked at Oak Ridge. She approached it as if her grandfather was Oppenheimer, trying to wrestle with a work-related decision that would impact mankind. Her grandfather did a job during the war like many others, whether they were making ammunitions or building tanks or working at Oak Ridge. Her ‘struggle’ to understand her grandfather is incredibly convoluted.
Too preachy, slanted, morose take
From the opening lines to the series, the author makes it clear that, in her view, the fact that the bomb was created at all — irrespective of any contextual factors — is the worst tragedy in human history; and that she feels guilt, shame, and pain just thinking about exploring the context in which it occurred.
Moreover, she makes sure to remind you of this at every turn — at least twice per episode.
The author even suggests that the only way such a thing could occur was because those evil military government warmongers kept everything so secret that even those working on the project, like her grandfather, didn’t know what they were building — lest they rebel and cancel the whole thing.
And yet, her opening remarks state that the salient memory she has of her grandfather is of a photograph of him in front of a mushroom cloud. So much for unwitting or begrudging participation.
Anyway, after 6 or 7 episodes, I could not stand the constant preaching, the overly morose tone, or the manufactured drama for an event to which we all know the end.
It is a shame because there is some good content and interviews from experts, but the author makes it all insufferable.