The Bastard Brigade, by Sam Kean

In the long years and global reach of World War 2, there seems to be no limit to great stories and brave exploits.  Sam Kean's new book tells the story of a loosely assembled team of spies and scientists whose goal was to prevent Hitler's Germany from developing a nuclear bomb.  Kean's account includes the personal stories and the developing plot that involved famous Americans such as baseball player Mo Berg and Joseph Kennedy, Jr., as well as Nobel-winning scientists on both sides of the conflict. 

Kean brings the events alive, placing the events into the larger picture of what's going on in the war.  For obvious reasons, these exploits were little known during the war, and, in some cases, for many years after.  I found his accounts of the relationships among the scientists to be particularly interesting.  In the close-knit community of physics, all of these scientists knew each other.  As the field transformed from an eccentric specialty to playing a central role in a global war, their relationships with each other and with their research interests were strained.

Reading about the espionage element, including raids, sabotage, theft, and general sneaking around, I was reminded that these people are merely human, and Murphy's Law rules.  There were so many close calls, bungled projects, and miscommunications, that it's a wonder the Allies came out on top.  That also tells me the Axis powers were probably subject to a similar level of chaos.

Kean is one of those writers of history who finds great stories, thoroughly digs into the stories, and puts the stories together in a captivating, readable format.  Who says history is boring?  Kean shows quite the opposite.


Thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary electronic review copy!